Clinical Lab Scientist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Salisbury (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP eligibility

Education loan repayment

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking Clinical Laboratory Scientists at GS-7 to GS-11 levels.

The role involves performing and validating clinical lab tests, adhering to quality control standards, and working within a team to ensure accurate results and patient safety. Eligible applicants may apply for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) and must meet certification and education requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required; transcripts required.
• Certification options include Generalist MLS by ASCP BOC or AMT, Generalist MT by ASCP BOR or AMT, or Categorical/Specialist by ASCP or AMT.
• Non-certified applicants may be hired temporarily and pursue certification.
• GS-7 to GS-11 levels with defined experience/education pathways and required KSAs.

Skills

Laboratory policy knowledge

Quality control principles

Laboratory teamwork

Reading and interpreting instructions

Analytical testing procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in medical technology or related field

Master's degree or 2 years of grad study in medical technology or related science

Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in medical technology or related science

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), 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.

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. (Transcripts Required)
• 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).
• Exception for Non-Certified:
  • Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency.
  • Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
  • Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL.
  • Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
  • Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.

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-07:
  • Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
  • 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.
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09:
  • Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:
    • Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR
    • Education: Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science. (Transcripts Required)
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
    • 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.
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11:
  • Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:
    • 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. (Transcripts Required)
    • 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 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.

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-7 to GS-11.

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