Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Generalist

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Responsibilities

• Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures
• Recognizes deviation from expected results
• Analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Implements policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
• Accurately performs pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing and analyze and interpret laboratory tests
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction
• Maintains and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs instrumentation
• Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions
• Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors which influence test results
• Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures
• Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge
• Interprets findings and makes recommendations
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines
• Conforms to all VHA and local directives related to safety, life safety, health, hazardous materials, and emergency management directives
• Performs testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual and automated techniques
• Duties require competency in the areas of Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Microbiology, Serology, Special Chemistry, and Urinalysis
• Testing duties in all disciplines require the Clinical Laboratory Scientist to perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results
• Prepares reagents and verifies correct instrument operation
• Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures
• Correlates and integrates information and performs additional testing to confirm abnormal results
• The work involves accurate and timely completion of testing to provide relevant clinical information to physicians crucial to patient care
• Recognizes all critical value results and for the effective and immediate communication of those results to the patient's provider following all required steps and documentation

Requirements

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7407(a)
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403 (f)

Education:

• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency - and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program
• OR The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination
• Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below:
• (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• Exception for Non-Certified: Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency
• Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C.7405(c)(2)
• Non-certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL
• Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in separation from employment
• Grandfathering Provision: Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard (12/3/2024) - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification where applicable
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed - must meet one of the listed provisions in the VA Handbook
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7407(a)
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403 (f)

Education:

• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency - and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program
• OR The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination
• Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below:
• (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• Exception for Non-Certified: Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency
• Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C.7405(c)(2)
• Non-certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL
• Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in separation from employment
• Grandfathering Provision: Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard (12/3/2024) - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification where applicable
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed - must meet one of the listed provisions in the VA Handbook
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases

When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA

Benefits

Includes competitive salary and regular salary increases

Includes paid time off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience

Includes parental leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child

Includes Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a