Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Generalist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. The role involves performing complex diagnostic testing, instrument maintenance, quality control, and result validation to support patient care.

Applicants must meet education requirements and pursue MLS/MT certification, with eligibility for temporary appointment under VA guidelines for non-certified applicants. English proficiency is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university is required.
• MLS/MT generalist certification options or eligible for certification per VA standards.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written) is required.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex diagnostic testing across multiple specialties.
• Maintain instruments and troubleshoot issues.
• Conduct quality control and validate results to support patient care.
• Manage lab projects and work independently as needed.

Skills

Clinical laboratory testing

Quality control

Instrument maintenance

Teamwork

Pre-analytical/analytical/post-analyst

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a clinical lab science field

Tools

Laboratory instruments

Laboratory information systems (LIS)

Job description

A Clinical Laboratory Scientist performs complex diagnostic testing across multiple specialties within the Pathology and Laboratory Service at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. The role ensures accurate testing processes, maintains instruments, troubleshoots issues, conducts quality control, validates results, supports patient care, and manages lab projects independently.

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. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

Citizenship. Candidates must be citizens of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited, in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university is required.

Certification.

1. Candidates must meet one of the following certification options:
   • Generalist certification as an MLS from ASCP BOC or AMT.
   • Generalist certification as an MT from ASCP BOR or AMT.
2. Exception for Non-Certified Applicants
   • Applicants may be hired without current certification if they meet one of the eligibility routes in Appendix A to sit for the MLS certification exam through ASCP BOC or AMT.
   • Non-certified applicants who meet licensure eligibility may receive a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
   • Non-certified individuals must work under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the Full Performance Level (FPL).
   • Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and cannot be promoted or converted until certification is obtained.
   • Temporary appointments for non-certified CLSs may not exceed two years and cannot be renewed or converted into another temporary appointment.

Grandfathering Provision. 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).

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 qualifying certification listed in section 4c automatically validates foreign education equivalency.

English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English, in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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

1. Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09

1. Experience or Education: Candidates must meet one of the following:
   1. One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-07; OR
   2. A master's degree or two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a closely related science.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
   • Knowledge of clinical laboratory testing policies and procedures.
   • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
   • Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
   • Ability to work effectively as a team member and 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

1. Experience or Education: Candidates must meet one of the following:
   1. One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09; OR
   2. Three full years of progressively higher graduate education, a Ph.D., or an equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a related science.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
   • Knowledge of advanced professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories supporting independent work.
   • Knowledge of laboratory quality control, quality assurance, and performance improvement.
   • Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
   • Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory 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 effectively with healthcare team members, external partners, customers, and patients.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Preferred Experience: At least one year of blood bank experience.

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-7 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting (up to 20 lbs.), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, and use of fingers and both hands. Duties require walking and standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, and use of both arms and legs. Visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, and the ability to distinguish colors and shades. Hearing (aids permitted), clear cognitive function, emotional stability, and the ability to read ordinary type without strain are also required.