Clinical Lab Scientist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; East Orange (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP Eligible

Paid Time Off

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) New Jersey Healthcare System seeks a Generalist Clinical Laboratory Scientist to rotate across Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry and Microbiology/L Molecular sections.

The role requires a CLS with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or related science, plus ASCP BOC or AMT certification options. Expect rotating shifts and adherence to quality assurance standards.

Qualifications

• Must meet basic requirements: U.S. citizenship and English proficiency.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in medical technology or related field.
• Foreign education evaluated for equivalency if earned outside the U.S.
• Certification options (ASCP BOC, AMT) acceptable for CLS Generalist.
• KSAs include knowledge of clinical laboratory science principles, QA/QC, and instrument repair.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Microbiology/Molecular, Serology, Urinalysis.
• Perform a broad range of laboratory procedures and tests.
• Maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair lab equipment.
• Ensure quality control and performance improvement activities.

Skills

Lab generalist

English proficiency

Informatics

Education

Bachelor's degree in medical technology or related field

Tools

ASCP BOC Certification

AMT Certification

Job description

Summary

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.

Qualifications

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.

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


• 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


• Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: 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


• NOTE: Possession of a certification identified below automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed


• 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)


• 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)


• GS-11 Grade Determinations: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level


• OR 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


• AND Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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


• Preferred Experience: 2-5 years of experience as a CLS Generalist covering all sections in Lab including Blood bank - Chemistry/UA - Hem/Coag - Microbiology/Molecular - Quality Management - and other related duties as assigned


• Understanding of regulatory compliance and Quality Management


• 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


• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• **The cut off for the first applicant list is August 27 - 2026 with subsequent applicant lists sent as needed until vacancies are filled** 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


• The incumbent serves as a Generalist Clinical Laboratory Scientist - who regularly rotates to various stations in the clinical laboratory for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the VA New Jersey Healthcare system campus


• The incumbent will regularly rotate to various benches within the areas of Blood Bank - hematology - Chemistry - Coagulation - Microbiology/Molecular - Molecular - Serology - Special Chemistry and Urinalysis


• Clinical Laboratory Scientist works throughout the lab as a generalist/ assigned specialist and works weekends - holidays and the evening or night shift by themselves when priorities demonstrate a need


• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation


• Analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles using a comprehensive knowledge of professional medical technology/clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories providing for sound independent work


• Performs testing by being able to interpret and apply complex written instructions


• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines of routine and urgent testing


• 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 and troubleshoots deviations to maintain optimal operating conditions and accuracy of test results


• Uses independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results


• Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement


• Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions for testing platforms - quality control or patient results that deviate from expected performance


• 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


• 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


• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety - biosecurity - and infection prevention in the workplace


• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member


• Work Schedule: 12am-8am Midnight shift EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive


• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance


• Learn more 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 (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.