Clinical Laboratory Scientist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking Clinical Laboratory Scientists for the GS-07/09/11 levels to join a federal medical center. This role emphasizes accurate testing, quality control, and teamwork to support patient care.

Applicants must meet basic requirements including U.S. citizenship, a bachelor’s degree or higher, and CLS certification. The position offers pathways for further advancement and includes Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Perform and interpret clinical laboratory tests in accordance with standard procedures.
• Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation to ensure accuracy.
• Adhere to quality control, safety, and regulatory requirements to protect patient care.
• Collaborate with healthcare teams to ensure timely, accurate test results.

Skills

Lab testing procedures

Quality control & QA

Laboratory equipment maintenance

Teamwork

Reading instructions

Testing phases

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or higher

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. 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

• a. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• b. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• c. Credential. Persons appointed or reassigned to CLS positions in the GS-0644 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid Generalist certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (given by ASCP BOC or AMT) or a Medical Technologist (given by ASCP BOR or AMT). Recent graduates that do not have the certification described can only be considered at the GS-7 grade level if they have a Bachelor's Degree or up to the GS-9 level if I have a Master's degree.
• d. English Language Proficiency. CLSs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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).

Grandfathering Provision

The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education, credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation.

All persons employed in VHA in this occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:

1. (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
2. (2)If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements, employees must meet the assignment‑specific requirement before they can be promoted.
3. (3)Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
4. (4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re‑entry to the occupation.
5. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standards must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07

Experience None beyond the basic requirements.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09

Experience: Candidates must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level.

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

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• (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.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11

Experience: Candidates must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all 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.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements

The work requires regular and recurring standing, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves manual dexterity, visual acuity, and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Requires intermittent moderate lifting 915-44 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); use fingers; both hands required; intermittent, but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens, ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.