Clinical Lab Scientist- Generalist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Miami VA Healthcare System Pathology and Laboratory Service seeks an experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientist- Generalist to contribute to quality care standards and VA academic hospital programs. A strong communicator and team player is essential in a growing medical center.

Applicants must meet basic requirements including US citizenship, English proficiency, and a bachelor’s degree with appropriate CLS certification options.

Qualifications

• United States citizenship required.
• English proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification options: MLS/MT generalist or ASCP/AMT categories.

Responsibilities

• Perform and interpret clinical laboratory tests as part of patient care.
• Ensure quality control and quality assurance for testing procedures.
• Collaborate with hematology, chemistry, microbiology and pathology teams.

Skills

Team player

Excellent communicator

Adaptable

Education

Bachelor's degree in medical technology or related field

Job description

The Miami VA Healthcare System's Pathology and Laboratory Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Clinical Lab Scientist- Generalist. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

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.
  • NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director), GS-15, requires unique education requirements.
• Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below.
  • Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT, OR,
  • Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT, OR,
  • 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).

Grade Determinations

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07

Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

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.
• Education. Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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.
• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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

https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Preferred Experience

• 5 years or more as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist- Generalist

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-07 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements

This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients.