Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Evening/Nights/Weekend Team

Veterans Health Administration; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in the United States. This position supports the EDRP loan repayment program and requires U.S.

citizenship, a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or related science, and certification through MLS (ASCP BOC), MT (ASCP BOR or AMT) or equivalent routes. Non-certified applicants may be hired temporarily while pursuing certification and may progress to higher grades upon qualification.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship is required.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in medical technology or a related science.
• Certification options include MLS with ASCP BOC, MT with ASCP BOR or AMT.
• Exception for Non-Certified applicants: can be hired temporarily while pursuing certification.
• Grade determinations include CLS-GS-07/09/11 with specific experience/education KSAs.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.
• Apply laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
• Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment; work effectively as a team.

Skills

Lab testing policies

Quality control & QA

Lab equipment maintenance

Teamwork

Reading instructions

Education

MLS certification (ASCP BOC)

MT certification (ASCP BOR/AMT)

Categorical/Specialist certification (ASCP/AMT)

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.

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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. 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. Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of 4 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. 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). Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the Full Performance Level. Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. 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: Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09. 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. OR Education. Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science. Assignment. An individual at this grade level serves as a developmental CLS.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (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 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. 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. 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,