Clinical Laboratory Scientist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP - Education Debt ReductionProgram

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs invites applications for Clinical Laboratory Scientist positions (GS-07/09/11) in the Fort Wayne, IN area.

This vacancy offers Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility with potential loan repayment assistance, subject to program rules and availability. Basic requirements include US citizenship, a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and certification options as MLS/MT through ASCP BOC or AMT.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification options: MLS by ASCP BOC or AMT, or MT by ASCP BOR or AMT.
• Foreign education creditable with evaluation or ASCP/AMT eligibility letter.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in medical technology or related field

Master’s degree or 2 graduate years 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 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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/26/2026.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• 1. 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).
• 2. Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• 3. 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.

Foreign Education

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 #3 above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.

GRADE DETERMINATION

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07

Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09

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

2. 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

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. 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/