Clinical Laboratory Scientist GS-0644-09

Defense Health Agency; Biloxi (MS); On-site; USD 48,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense Health Agency at Keesler Medical Center in Biloxi, MS, seeks a Civilian Clinical Laboratory Scientist to perform a full range of laboratory testing across multiple sections. The role supports departmental goals and ensures equipment is properly maintained and calibrated, with collaboration across safety and compliance offices.

The position offers a competitive federal salary up to $80,243, comprehensive benefits, paid vacation and holidays, sick leave, CME opportunities, and a strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in biological science, chemistry, and mathematics with NAACLS MLS/CLS accreditation.
• Alternative: 4-year program with clinical medical technology training and 1-year certification pathway.
• ASCP/AMT or equivalent MLS/MT certification is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in a department (chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, microbiology, or blood bank).
• Perform a full range of laboratory testing.
• Assist supervisor with goals aligning to Medical Laboratory objectives.
• Observe maintenance and checks on laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Maintain effective relationships with Patient Safety/Risk Management and Compliance.

Skills

Laboratory testing

Instrument calibration

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's in biological science or chemistry or mathematics

NAACLS MLS/CLS credentialing program

MLS/MT certification/licensure

Job description

Overview

Elevate your laboratory science career at Keesler Medical Center — Excellence on the Coast.

This position is located at Keesler Medical Center, Biloxi, MS.

Civilian Clinical Laboratory Scientist

This is a Direct Hire Authority solicitation.

Salary: Up to- $ 80,243

This is an employed civilian Clinial Laboratory Scientist position that affords job security, a competitive salary, bonuses, moving expenses, full malpractice coverage, up to 26 days paid vacation, 11 days paid Federal Holidays, a sick leave benefit, CME opportunities, and a first-class health and retirement benefit package.

Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.

Salary: Up to- $ 80,243

This is an employed civilian Clinial Laboratory Scientist position that affords job security, a competitive salary, bonuses, moving expenses, full malpractice coverage, up to 26 days paid vacation, 11 days paid Federal Holidays, a sick leave benefit, CME opportunities, and a first-class health and retirement benefit package.

Keesler Medical Center at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, is one of the largest and most comprehensive medical facilities in the U.S. Air Force. Operated by the 359th Medical Group, it delivers direct healthcare to tens of thousands of beneficiaries, active-duty members, and military retirees.

Responsibilities

Duties

• Serve as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in a department (such as, but not limited to Chemistry, Hematology, Urinalysis, Coagulation, Microbiology, or Blood Bank section).
• Perform a full range of laboratory testing.
• Assist laboratory supervisor with development of goals and objectives that integrate organizational and Medical Laboratory objectives.
• Observe the maintenance and functional checks performed on laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Develop and maintains effective working relationships with facility Patient Safety/Risk Management Office, and Facility Compliance Board.

Qualifications

US Citizenship required

Basic Requirement For a Clinical Laboratory Scientist

• A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science, chemistry and mathematics, AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

OR

• At least a full 4-year course of study that included 12 months in a college or hospital-based medical technology program or medical technology school approved by a recognized accrediting organization. The professional medical technology curriculum may have consisted of a 1-year post- bachelor's certificate program or the last 1 or 2 years of a 4-year program of study culminating in a bachelor's in medical technology.

OR

• A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from an accredited college/university that included 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND Five years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, microbiology, Immunology and Urinalysis/Body Fluids. This combination of education and experience must have provided knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of medical technology equivalent to that provided by the full 4-year course of study described in A or B above. All science and mathematics courses must have been acceptable for credit toward meeting the requirements for a science major at an accredited college or university. Acceptable experience is responsible professional or technician experience in a hospital laboratory, health agency, industrial medical laboratory, or pharmaceutical house; or teaching, test development, or medical research program experience that provided an understanding of the methods and techniques applied in performing professional clinical laboratory work. Certification/licensure as a medical technologist (generalist) obtained through written examination by a nationally recognized credentialing agency or State licensing body is a good indication that the quality of experience is acceptable.

Evaluation of Education and Experience

The four major areas of clinical laboratory science are microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, and immunohematology (blood banking). Qualifying course work in these areas includes bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, tissue culture, virology, parasitology, endocrinology, enzymology, toxicology, urinalysis, coagulation, hemostasis, cell morphology, immunology, serology, immunoserology, immuno-deficiency, hemolysis, histocompatibility, cyto-genetics, and similar disciplines or areas of laboratory practice.

Related fields include physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, cell biology, embryology, pathology, genetics, pharmacology, histology, cytology, nuclear medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, infection control, physics, statistics, and similar areas of science where the work is directly related to the position to be filled.

Exemption

You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0644 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

Requirements

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience

One year of specialized experience which includes performing various tests and measurements in a clinical laboratory and calibrating or maintaining clinical laboratory instruments. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR Education

Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR Combination of Education and Experience

A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

AND Certification Requirement

Certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Medical Technologist (AMT) or other board or registry deemed comparable by Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (OASD(HA)) or their designee as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) is required. (Copy of certification must be submitted with application package.)