Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Evening Shift)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP education debt reduction program

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Phoenix, AZ seeks a qualified laboratory professional to perform a broad range of standard, advanced, and complex laboratory procedures. The incumbent will evaluate specimens, ensure quality control, and communicate critical results to supervisors as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.

Required qualifications include a bachelor’s degree or higher, U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, and appropriate laboratory certifications.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification: Generalist MLS (ASCP BOC or AMT), Generalist MT (ASCP BOR or AMT), or a comparable certification.
• Certified individuals must maintain credentials; failure to obtain or maintain certification may result in separation.
• Foreign education evaluations may be required for equivalence to U.S. programs.
• GS-11 requires either one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade or three years of higher‑level graduate education.

Responsibilities

• Perform a broad range of standard, advanced, and complex laboratory procedures, recognize deviations, and communicate critical results.
• Evaluate and solve problems related to specimen collection and processing.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, conduct calibrations, repairs, preventive maintenance, and document instrument performance.
• Adhere to biosafety and biosecurity practices and regulations.
• Prepare reports, maintain records, and present work‑related information to supervisors.
• Coordinate quality control activities, proficiency programs, and liaison with other medical center departments.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Certification: Generalist MLS (ASCP BOC or AMT) or Generalist MT (ASCP BOR or AMT)

Foreign education evaluation or ASCP/AMT equivalence

Job description

Overview

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amounts (up to $200,000) and eligibility periods (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States. Non‑citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under 38 U.S.C.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification: Must hold one of the following certifications – Generalist MLS (ASCP BOC or AMT), Generalist MT (ASCP BOR or AMT), or categorical/specialist certification acceptable for higher‑graded positions. Non‑certified applicants may be hired while working toward certification if eligible per Appendix A.
• Certification Maintenance: Certified individuals must actively maintain required credentials; failure to obtain or maintain certification may result in separation.
• Foreign Education: Foreign degrees must be evaluated for equivalence to a U.S. accredited clinical laboratory science program or be accepted by ASCP/AMT as eligible for certification.
• Grade Determination: For GS‑11, candidates must meet one of the following – one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade or three full years of higher‑level graduate education (or equivalent doctoral level).

Duties

• Perform a broad range of standard, advanced, and complex laboratory procedures, recognize deviations, and communicate critical results.
• Evaluate and solve problems related to specimen collection and processing.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, conduct calibrations, repairs, preventive maintenance, and document instrument performance.
• Adhere to biosafety and biosecurity practices and regulations.
• Prepare reports, maintain records, and present work‑related information to supervisors.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative testing, research methods, and statistical analysis of quality control data.
• Coordinate training, maintain current instrumentation knowledge, and evaluate new developments in laboratory instrumentation.
• Ensure compliance with regulations of CAP, FDA, JC, AABB, and OSHA.
• Coordinate quality control activities, proficiency programs, and liaison with other medical center departments.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 3:30 pm – 12:00 am (Rotating weekends and holidays). Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

EDRP Incentives: Not authorized; former participants ineligible.