Clinical Lab Scientist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Hartford (VT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at the White River Junction VA Medical Center in Vermont.

The CLS will develop, perform, evaluate, and validate laboratory procedures across multiple specialties including chemistry, microbiology, hematology, and immunohematology, ensuring accuracy and compliance. The position requires 3+ years grad education or a related PhD and certification through ASCP/AMT, with eligibility for EDRP and federal benefits.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required; non-citizens only as allowed by VA policy
• English proficiency required for oral and written communication
• Must meet one certification option (MLS/MT) from ASCP BOC or AMT
• Certification options include generalist, categorical, or specialist
• Foreign graduates must have education deemed equivalent to NAACLS-approved U.S. program
• Relevant VA qualification standards must be met

Responsibilities

• Develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, and validate lab procedures
• Work across lab disciplines (chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunohematology)
• Perform testing on diverse specimens and maintain equipment
• Conduct quality control and instrument maintenance
• Follow regulatory requirements and ensure patient safety

Skills

Clinical lab knowledge

Analytical thinking

Team communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in medical technology or related field

ASCP BOC/AMT generalist or specialist certification

Transcript submitted with application

Foreign credential evaluation acceptable

VA qualification standards familiarity

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.

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

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)
• 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)
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education
• Foreign Graduates: 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 in 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• 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: GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist 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 or education 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 judgement 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 healthcare team - external relations - customer service - and patient education
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• This Clinical Laboratory Scientist is in the Pathology and Laboratory Service at the VA Medical Center - White River Junction VT campus
• This position is a full-time at 40 hours per week
• GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist Assignment: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
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - variable hours with rotating holidays and weekends
• 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) EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Hannah Neilson - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: F08017 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized