Clinical Laboratory Scientist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Little Rock, AR seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at GS-07 to GS-11. The role includes performing a broad range of lab procedures, maintaining QA/QC, and coordinating with health care teams.

EDRP education debt reduction program is available, with eligibility reviewed by the Education Loan Repayment Services office. Eligible applicants must meet licensure/certification requirements, possess a bachelor’s degree or higher, and comply with VA policy.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens only when VA policy allows.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
• Must meet one of the MLS/MT certification options listed.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Non-certified applicants may pursue certification under VA Appendix A.
• CLS grade determinations require meeting specified experience/education criteria.

Responsibilities

• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the clinical laboratory scientist occupation.
• Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures and analyzes results.
• Maintains documentation and optimal functioning of laboratory equipment.
• Calibrates, troubleshoots, and repairs laboratory instrumentation as needed.
• Performs quality control and assurance activities and applies improvement principles.
• Communicates results and coordinates with the health care team to ensure patient care.

Skills

US Citizenship

English Proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Summary

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.

Qualifications

• 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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• 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)
• 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
• 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-09Experience 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
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): 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 (GS-09)
• 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 Preferred Experience: Experience with high and moderate complexity laboratory testing particularly in phlebotomy - blood bank - and/or serology
• 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-07 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to potentially irritating and volatile organic solutions and infections materials
• Adherence to safety and universal precautions and use of protective gear such as laboratory coats - fume hoods - safety goggles and gloves are required to reduce occupational risk factors
• Work is performed in a laboratory setting
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist include - but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the clinical laboratory scientist occupation
• In addition - performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures
• recognizes deviation from expected results
• analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Recognizes and corrects deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace
• Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions
• Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors which influence test results
• Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures
• Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment - method comparison - and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge
• Interprets findings and makes recommendations
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in- service/continuing education program
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member
• Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)
• Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines
• This position requires working on the weekend and holidays - including phlebotomy
• Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services
• Develops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results
• Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements
• Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity - interference - sensitivity - and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results
• Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems
• Consults with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient
• Provides advisory services to technicians - technologists - and other specialists
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 3:00 pm - 11:30 pm - with rotating holidays or Monday - Friday - 7:00 am - 3:30 pm - with rotating weekends and holidays - or Saturday - Sunday - 7:00 am - 11:00 pm and Monday - 7:00 am - 3:30 pm - all subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 01152F
• 01153F - 01154F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized