Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Information Manager)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs in Livermore, CA seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at the GS-12 level. This role includes eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) and requires a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related field, with appropriate certification options available.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, English proficient, and meet licensure/certification standards.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required; English proficiency required.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in medical laboratory science or related field.
• Certification options include MLS/MT generalist or ASCP/AMT specialties.
• Grandfathering provision may apply for current VA employees in this occupation.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate knowledge of laboratory science concepts, operations, and LIS integration.
• Apply regulatory requirements to laboratory functions and processes.
• Adapt and implement software to support laboratory applications and workflows.

Skills

Lab knowledge

English proficiency

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or related field

Tools

Laboratory information systems

ASCP/AMT certification knowledge

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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 possess the following:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or in a related science (e.g. laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.)
• 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

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). Employees in VHA in the occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply.

1. Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
2. If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements, employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted.
3. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
4. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
5. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

NOTE:

This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/placements

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.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist), 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.

Reference:

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements:

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.