Clinical Lab Scientist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fayetteville (NC); On-site; USD 81,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fayetteville VA Medical Center (and satellite testing sites) seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist to support Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. You will work across diverse lab specialties including chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and blood bank, performing procedures with manual and automated methods.

You will ensure quality control, calibrate and maintain instruments, and verify data integrity within the LIS.

Qualifications

• Education/qualifications recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are required for federal employment.
• If using foreign education, a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency must be submitted for credit.

Responsibilities

• Performs tests in chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology (Blood Bank) using manual or automated methods.
• Conducts quality control and maintenance of instrumentation; troubleshoots as needed.
• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments; verifies correct operation and documents QC and maintenance.
• Generates and edits laboratory results in the LIS; reviews results for accuracy and reports critical findings to physicians.
• Participates in proficiency testing, data validation and competency/proficiency activities across the laboratory.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center or Satellite Testing Sites (i.e. Health Care Center) as assigned.

Key Responsibilities

The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology (Blood Bank). 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.

Functions of Duty: The duties and responsibilities of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Generalist includes but is not limited to the following: 1. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimen for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. 2.

Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. 3. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports. 4. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments.

Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. 5. Documents and maintain all quality control, maintenance, and corrective action logs; performs instrument to instrument correlations, new reagents and control validations and all other technical procedures required to maintain laboratory compliance. 6.

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. 7. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system (LIS) and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system (LIS). 8.

Performs review of manually entered laboratory results in the Laboratory Information System (LIS). 9. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Tracks down "missing" tubes, samples and follows protocol for reordering tests with appropriate documentation. 10.

Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. 11. Successfully performs proficiency surveys, linearity studies and other intra laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency which is rotated through all technical staff performing the test. Performed other assigned duties.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 10:00p.m-8:00a.m rotating weekends and holidays Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized 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. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $81300 – $105696/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-04.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.