Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Indian Health Service; South Valley (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Join the Indian Health Service as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in South Valley, New Mexico. This role focuses on providing essential diagnostics to American Indian communities, ensuring high standards in laboratory testing across various disciplines.

The ideal candidate will have a robust educational background in biological sciences and hands-on experience in clinical environments. This position offers competitive benefits and an impactful career opportunity in underserved communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or graduate degree with specific coursework in biological science, chemistry, and mathematics required.
• At least one year of specialized experience in clinical laboratory testing and quality control.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and specimen handling necessary.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and specialized testing in various laboratory areas.
• Interpret and verify test results, troubleshoot discrepancies.
• Implement quality control measures and maintain equipment.

Skills

Clinical laboratory testing

Quality control

Instrument operation

Specimen handling

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's or graduate degree in biological science, chemistry, and mathematics

Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by NAACLS

Job description

Summary

Join the Indian Health Service as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist providing life‑saving diagnostics to American Indian communities. This role offers competitive benefits and the chance to make a meaningful impact in underserved communities.

Duties

• Perform routine and specialized clinical laboratory testing in chemistry, microbiology, hematology, molecular diagnostics, immunology, and immunohematology.
• Interpret and verify test results, troubleshoot discrepancies, and implement corrective actions.
• Collect, prepare, and evaluate patient specimens with proper handling, preservation, and documentation.
• Perform quality control, proficiency testing, equipment calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting in compliance with accreditation standards.
• Support laboratory operations through quality assurance activities, procedure development, inventory management, and technical guidance.

Total Compensation Package

Competitive salary and benefits. For details, visit Clinical Laboratory Scientist Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov).

Requirements

Exemplary professional standards, including U.S. citizenship, selective service registration for eligible males, and compliance with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy. The role may require on‑call hours or standby duty and involves walking, sitting, standing, reaching, and bending.

Conditions of Employment

• Probationary period possible.
• Background investigation required; applicants must complete forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance.
• Successful E‑Verify employment verification required.
• Direct deposit set up required.

Physical Demands

The work involves walking, sitting, standing, reaching, and bending during patient assessment and treatment.

Background Investigation Requirement

A federal background investigation is mandatory. Applicants must complete all required forms promptly to avoid delays.

Qualifications

Applicants must state sufficient experience and/or education to perform the duties of the position. Experience includes paid, volunteer, and part‑time work with clear duties, responsibilities, and hours.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's or graduate degree with courses in biological science, chemistry, and mathematics, plus a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by NAACLS.
• OR A full nine‑month course in a college or hospital‑based medical technology program, or the last one or two years of a four‑year program with a bachelor's in medical technology.
• OR Bachelor’s degree with required science credits and five (5) years of full‑time clinical laboratory experience in areas including Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Immunology, and Urinalysis/Body Fluids.

Minimum Qualifications

GS‑07

• One (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑05 level in laboratory testing, specimen handling, instrument operation, quality control, and regulatory compliance.
• OR One (1) year of graduate‑level education in clinical laboratory science or related field.
• OR Combination of graduate education and specialized experience meeting GS‑07 requirements.
• OR Bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) requirements: GPA thresholds or honor society membership.

GS‑09

• One (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑07 level in advanced testing, evaluation, instrument maintenance, quality control, and compliance.
• OR Two (2) years of graduate education culminating in a master’s degree in a relevant field.
• OR Combination of graduate education and specialized experience meeting GS‑09 requirements.

GS‑11

• One (1) year of specialized experience at GS‑09 level in complex testing, data interpretation, instrument calibration, specimen handling, and quality assurance.
• OR Three (3) years of graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant field.
• OR Combination of graduate education and specialized experience meeting GS‑11 requirements.

Education

Submitted transcripts or course lists are required for evaluation. Unofficial transcripts are accepted in the application package; official transcripts will be required before an offer is finalized. Foreign education equivalency certificates are needed if applicable.