Clinical Laboratory Scientist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Richmond; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A federal healthcare agency is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Specialist to develop and validate laboratory procedures while ensuring regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include evaluating specimens, performing complex testing, and troubleshooting laboratory equipment. Candidates should possess a certification in Clinical Laboratory Science, with strong skills in quality control and lab procedures. The position offers a traditional federal pension plan, health benefits, and eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program, while requiring a Monday to Friday schedule.

Benefits

Traditional federal pension

Federal health/vision/dental insurance

Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility

Qualifications

• Ability to independently calibrate and maintain laboratory instruments.
• Strong understanding of laboratory safety and biosafety practices.
• Experience with manual and automated testing techniques.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates specimen integrity and documents findings.
• Calibrates and maintains laboratory instruments.
• Independently interprets complex written instructions.

Skills

Laboratory procedures expertise

Quality control

Troubleshooting skills

Education

Certification in Clinical Laboratory Science

Job description

Clinical Laboratory Specialist

The Clinical Laboratory Specialist develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology.

Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. In addition to routine testing, the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity of test results, and the need for additional tests. Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control, and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program.

Duties

The duties and responsibilities of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist include but are not limited to the following:

1. Evaluates specimen integrity, handling, criteria for rejection and properly documents findings per protocol. Prepares specimens for analysis.
2. Performs specimen accessioning in Laboratory Computer System and labels samples properly by verifying patient name and social security number.
3. Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. The requested priority of orders uses established turn‑around times for generating to resulting laboratory results.
4. Independently calibrates and maintains instruments as required per manufacturer. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks including monitoring on equipment, reagents, and products. Maintains proper records and any corrective actions for quality control reports.
5. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; troubleshoots, locates, and implements corrections. Contacts technical service if repairs exceed the simple repair.
6. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require review by the pathologist. Accurately evaluates the WBC differential cell lineage and all morphology assessments.
7. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system including the editing and verification of the result. 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) using established delta checks to verify results.
8. Independently interprets and applies complex written instructions. Successfully completes CAP surveys in a timely fashion.
9. Organizes and sets priorities with minimal technical supervision. Communicates with other healthcare members regarding questionable sample results in a professional and courteous manner.
10. Performs assigned projects including but not limited to mid‑cycle inspection guidelines, verification of reference ranges, quality control or reagent lot to lot documentation, editing or composing standard operating procedures and inventory management.

Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 0800‑1630 - rotating weekends and holidays.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not Authorized

EDRP: 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.

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)

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized