Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration; Clarksburg (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Massachusetts seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist to perform, evaluate, and validate lab procedures across multiple specialties.

The role requires independence with supervision and adherence to regulatory standards, with opportunities from GS-07 entry to GS-11 advanced levels. The incumbent will work with a range of specimens using manual or automated methods, ensuring accuracy, quality control, and proper maintenance of instruments while supporting

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required unless specified.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification options: MLS Generalist from ASCP BOC or AMT; MT Generalist from ASCP BOR or AMT; or categorical/specialist certifications by ASCP or AMT.
• English language proficiency for spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Perform, evaluate, and validate laboratory procedures and results.
• Use manual or automated techniques on biological specimens and/or environmental samples.
• Troubleshoot and maintain laboratory instrumentation and quality control.

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Basic Requirements

A Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)/ Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)/ Medical Technologist (MT) at this level performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques and require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility with minimal technical supervision.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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).

Education

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director), GS-15, requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below.

Certification

(1) 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.
• c. 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).

English Language Proficiency

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations

a. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07.

(1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

(2) Assignment. Employee at this level serves in a CLS entry-level position. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily direct supervision.

b. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09.

(1) Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:

• (a) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS07).
• (b) Education. Master’s degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.

(2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• 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.

(3) Assignment. An individual at this grade level serves as a developmental CLS. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. The CLS demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods. This includes routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation, and troubleshooting that applies innovative procedures and problem solving. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance. Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level. It is expected that a CLS at this grade performs more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the entry level.

c. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11.

(1) Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:

• (a) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09).
• (b) Education. Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science.

(2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement.
• Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
• Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.
• Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education.

Assignment. This is considered FPL for a CLS. A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The CLS develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements. 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 methods. 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. This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing. These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The CLS assesses a situation, considers the options, and formulates an appropriate course of action. This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures, collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.