Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Toxicology

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.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimens for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• Sets priorities for test requests and executes them expeditiously for use in critical care situations
• Performs a broad range of standard - routine and specialized laboratory procedures using manual and/or automated techniques
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Identifies and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions on equipment - reagents - and products adheres to established quality control guidelines
• Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures
• Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e. - history - medications) to verify results
• 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
• Interprets findings and makes recommendations
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member
• Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)
• Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing
• Generates laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and edits and verifies the results recorded into the computer system
• Reviews and recognizes abnormal results and critical results that require immediate attention
• Works in a toxicology laboratory performing immunoassay screens along with GC-MS and LC-MS/MS confirmation testing

Requirements

• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT
• Note: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held
• Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including Ancillary Testing Coordinator - Education Coordinator - Laboratory Information Manager - Quality Manager - Laboratory Manager - Regional Technical Specialist - National Quality and Compliance Agent - Regional Program Manager - Regional Director - Laboratory Director - or National Quality and Compliance Officer)

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship - Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT
• Note: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held
• Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including Ancillary Testing Coordinator - Education Coordinator - Laboratory Information Manager - Quality Manager - Laboratory Manager - Regional Technical Specialist - National Quality and Compliance Agent - Regional Program Manager - Regional Director - Laboratory Director - or National Quality and Compliance Officer)

Skills

• Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance
• Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions
• Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of testing

Benefits

• 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 (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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
• 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
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases

Schedule

Monday - Friday 2:30pm - 11pm