Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the GS-11 grade. The position requires US citizenship, proficiency in English, and a bachelor’s degree or higher in medical technology or a related field.

Certification options include MLS/MT generalist or ASCP/AMT, with knowledge of lab quality control and data processes. One year of creditable experience or three years of graduate education may apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification options: MLS Generalist, MT Generalist, or ASCP/AMT certifications.
• GS-11 requires 1 year of creditable experience or 3 years of higher-level graduate education.

Skills

Clinical laboratory science principles

Quality control & quality assurance

Laboratory data/informatics

Instrumentation maintenance & repair

Independent technical judgment

Understanding complex instructions

Team communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in medical technology or related field

3 years of graduate education or PhD in medical technology or related science

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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

• 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).
• 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.
• Certification. Candidates must meet one of the certification options listed. (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.

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

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.
• OR
• (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.

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

Preferred Experience:

1 year of generalist experience preferred.

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 GS-11.

Physical Requirements:

The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing for long periods of time, bending, moderate lifting of instruments and materials up to 50 pounds, walking moderate distances, mental alertness, and ability to work under pressure due to meeting established timetables for documentation, hardware/software failures and resolutions. Some assignments require sitting at a computer workstation for moderate periods of time.