Clinical Laboratory Scientist GS- 0644 -09

Defense Health Agency; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

The Defense Health Agency is looking for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX. This role involves performing pre-donation screenings, conducting transfusion testing, and maintaining lab equipment.

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, certification as a Medical Technologist, and experience in laboratory assays. Benefits include competitive pay, paid time off, and healthcare contributions.

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor's in biological sciences or a related field.
• Certification as a Medical Technologist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist is required.
• One year specialized experience in clinical laboratory assays is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-donation screenings and phlebotomy.
• Conduct pre-transfusion testing on blood products.
• Resolve complex antibody problems efficiently.

Skills

Laboratory assays proficiency

Quality control on laboratory equipment

Phlebotomy skills

Problem resolution in patient care

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological science or related

Certification as Medical Technologist or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (GS‑0644‑09) – William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX

Located in El Paso, TX, Fort Bliss is home to the 1 st Armored Division and serves as a FORSCOM installation with many commands. The Main Cantonment Area of Fort Bliss is adjacent to El Paso. The city offers a low crime rate, favorable cost‑of‑living, and cultural opportunities. Working for the Department of Defense provides benefits such as competitive pay, paid time off, medical benefits, student loan repayment, retirement with Thrift Savings Plan, and matching employer contributions.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre‑donation screening of blood donors, phlebotomy, and administration of post‑donation care; properly prepare and store units.
• Perform storage maintenance, evaluation on blood products, and quality assurance testing on units prior to release for transfusion.
• Conduct all pre‑transfusion testing on whole blood and whole blood products, including antibody screen, compatibility tests, and antibody identification.
• Resolve complex antibody problems efficiently to avoid jeopardizing patient care.
• Perform first‑line maintenance and quality control on all equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination based on a background investigation.
• A Personnel Security Investigation is required.
• Selective employees must sign a statement consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or provide a recognized exemption.
• Position is a testing‑designated role subject to pre‑employment screening and random drug testing.
• Pre‑placement medical examination is required.
• Moderate to heavy lifting up to 44 pounds may be required.
• Immunization screening is required; hepatitis B immunization is mandatory for all positions with direct patient contact. Additional proof of immunizations may be required based on position.
• Must obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
• Applicants must fulfill non‑privileged professional credential requirements.
• Position may require on‑call work during irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or variable schedules.

Qualifications

Basic Requirement for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist

• A bachelor's or graduate‑level degree from a regionally accredited college/university with courses in biological science, chemistry, and mathematics, AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by NAACLS or an equivalent body at the time of degree award.
• OR at least a full 4‑year course of study that included 12 months in a college or hospital‑based medical technology program or a recognized medical technology school. The program may comprise a 1‑year post‑bachelor’s certificate program or the last 1 or 2 years of a 4‑year program culminating in a bachelor’s in medical technology.
• OR a bachelor’s or graduate‑level degree from an accredited institution that included 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester of mathematics, AND five years of full‑time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, and urinalysis/body fluids. The experience must provide knowledge equivalent to the full 4‑year program described in options A or B. All science and mathematics courses must have been acceptable for credit toward a science major at an accredited institution. Acceptable experience includes professional or technician experience in a hospital laboratory, health agency, industrial medical laboratory, pharmaceutical house, or teaching, test development, or research program. Certification or licensure as a medical technologist (generalist) obtained through a nationally recognized credentialing agency or state licensing body is a strong indication of adequate experience.

Evaluation of Education and Experience

The four major areas of clinical laboratory science are microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, and immunohematology (blood banking). Qualifying coursework includes bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, tissue culture, virology, parasitology, endocrinology, enzymology, toxicology, urinalysis, coagulation, hemostasis, cell morphology, immunology, serology, immuno‑serology, immuno‑deficiency, hemolysis, histocompatibility, cytogenetics, and related disciplines. Related fields such as physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, cell biology, embryology, pathology, genetics, pharmacology, histology, cytology, nuclear medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, infection control, physics, and statistics are also directly related.

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 series since September 27, 2017 or earlier. Provide documentation to the Human Resources Office to validate status.

Specialized Experience

• One year of specialized experience performing various assays in a clinical laboratory and calibrating or maintaining laboratory instruments (typical of GS‑07).

Education

• Master’s or equivalent graduate degree, or two full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field demonstrating the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Combination of Education and Experience

• A combination may be used to qualify as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. Compute by dividing total months of experience by 12, then dividing total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year by 18, and adding the two percentages.

Certification Requirement

Certification from ASCP, AMT, or other board or registry deemed comparable by the 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. Submit a copy of certification with the application package.