Clinical Laboratory Scientist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Part time

Job summary

The VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, ME seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for an entry- to development-level role within Pathology and Lab Services. The position operates on intermittent hours with supervision by experienced staff.

Candidates may be referred while completing education or licensure requirements and must meet basic USVA criteria. Qualifying candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and meet certification options (ASCP BOC, AMT) or related paths.

Qualifications

• English language proficiency per 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• Education: a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification options: MLS Generalist (ASCP BOC) or MT Generalist (ASCP BOR) or Categorical/Specialist (AMT/ASCP).
• Exception for non-certified candidates: temporary appointments and progression toward certification are allowed.
• Note on certifications: categorical/spec technician certifications allowed for higher graded positions within certain lab lines.

Responsibilities

• CLS performs and validates laboratory testing across specialties (chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunology).
• Maintains quality control, troubleshooting, and instrument maintenance.
• Develops and applies knowledge to ensure accuracy of test results and compliance with regulatory standards.

Skills

English proficiency

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is in the Pathology and Lab Services at the VA Maine Healthcare System located at the Augusta, ME location. This position consists of Intermittent hours. 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.
• Certification: (1) Candidates must meet one of the certification options below.(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. 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.(a) 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.(b) 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).(c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL.(d) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.(e) Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.

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.

GS-09 Experience or Education

Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:

Experience

One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS 7).

OR;

Education

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

Assignment

An individual at this grade level serves as a developmental CLS. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. The CLS demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods. This includes routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation, and troubleshooting that applies innovative procedures and problem solving. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance. Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level. It is expected that a CLS at this grade performs more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the entry level.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing.
• (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
• (c) Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
• (d) Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
• (e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions.
• (f) Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.

GS 11 Experience or Education

Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:

Experience

One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 9).

OR;

Education

Must have three (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.

Assignment

This is considered FPL for a CLS. A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. 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. 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. This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing. These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The CLS assesses a situation, considers the options, and formulates an appropriate course of action. This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures, collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• (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.

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.