Clinical Laboratory Scientist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Town of Bath (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP Eligible

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist to join the Finger Lakes VA Healthcare System. The incumbent will rotate across core laboratory departments, perform complex testing, and ensure quality control within an integrated VA health system.

The position requires at least a bachelor's degree and MLS/MT certification options, with English proficiency and strong analytical skills. EDRP benefits and federal employment features are highlighted in the posting.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Basic requirements include U.S. citizenship or authorized non-citizen status.
• Education and certification requirements vary by assignment and may be specified for higher grades.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through clinical laboratory departments (chemistry, molecular biology, coagulation, hematology, immunology, serology, urinalysis).
• Perform and supervise routine and complex laboratory procedures.
• Troubleshoot instrument malfunctions and maintain equipment.
• Interpret test results and provide accurate data for diagnosis and treatment.
• Work Monday–Friday 12:00 PM–8:30 PM with alternating holidays and weekends.

Skills

English proficiency

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university

MLS/MT certification options by ASCP BOC/AMT

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.

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

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
• 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)
• b
• Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director) - GS-15 - requires unique education requirements
• Please reference the education requirements in that assignment below
• Certification
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• Employees 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements
• e
• 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: (1) 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 (2) 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 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• f
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• g
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 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)
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11
• 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
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• VA Careers - Licensed Clinical Social Worker: https://youtube.com/embed/U_xC25QsN0w Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) within the Finger Lakes VA Healthcare System Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PLMS)
• The incumbent functions as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (formerly Medical Technologist) and is required to rotate within the clinical laboratory departments (chemistry - molecular biology - coagulation - hematology - immunology - serology - urinalysis - and reference lab testing - etc.) on an as needed basis
• The Incumbent will also work off hour shifts - weekends - and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need
• The incumbent also provides support throughout the clinical and patient care areas of the medical center involved with the PLMS
• The incumbent performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation
• In addition - performs advanced moderate and high complexity laboratory procedures
• recognizes deviation from expected results
• analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles using a comprehensive knowledge of professional medical technology/clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories providing for sound independent work
• Performs testing by being able to interpret and apply complex written instructions
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines for routine and urgent testing
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis - considering physiologic processes and requirements
• Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and perform preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction and troubleshoots deviations to maintain optimal operating conditions and accuracy of test results
• Uses independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday: 12 noon to 8:30 pm with alternating holiday and weekends
• 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 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 #: 11914F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized