Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Information Manager)

Veterans Health Administration; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration seeks a qualified Clinical Laboratory Scientist to serve as the Laboratory Information Manager and ADPAC. The role requires a bachelor's degree, relevant ASCP/AMT certifications, and U.S. citizenship.

Experience with laboratory information systems and regulatory compliance is essential. The position is at GS-12 with federal benefits and advancement potential. Applicants must meet English proficiency requirements and medical pre-employment standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification options include MLS Generalist (ASCP BOC or AMT), MT Generalist (ASCP BOR or AMT), or Categorical/Specialist certifications (ASCP/AMT).
• Foreign education may be credited if evaluated as equivalent to NAACLS-approved U.S. CLS program or ASCP/AMT eligibility letter.
• English language proficiency as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• GS-12 level requires 1 year of creditable experience at the next lower grade.

Skills

Lab information systems

Laboratory operations

Regulatory compliance

Office automation

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Office software

Job description

The incumbent is a qualified, experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) who serves as the Laboratory Information Manager (LIM) and ADPAC (Automated Data Processing Coordinator).

Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

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).

Foreign Education

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 certification identified in 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.

English Language Proficiency

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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 (Laboratory Information Manager), GS-12.

Experience

1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (A) Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methodology of clinical laboratory technology in relation to laboratory information systems. (B) Knowledge of laboratory operations and their relationship to the organization. (C) Knowledge of laboratory computer systems sufficient to implement various laboratory associated packages and sustain operation of the laboratory system. (D) Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions. (E) Ability to adapt, implement and integrate the use of software to specific laboratory applications and processes, including the use of office automation software. (F) Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments.

Physical Requirements

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Reference

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