Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Information Manager) - EDRP Approved

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in El Paso, TX seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Information Manager) at GS-12.

The role focuses on managing laboratory information systems, quality control, and regulatory compliance within the clinical lab environment. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree or higher, relevant CLS certification (MLS/MT) and creditable experience; preferred 3 years LIM, plus experience with SQL, HL7, Vista, Data Innovations and Cerner.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Foreign education creditable if equivalent per ASCP/AMT rules.
• Certification options include MLS/MT generalist or related ASCP/AMT certifications.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-11 is required for full CLS grade eligibility.

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.

Education

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university

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:

• 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.
• Eligible to take the certification examination. You must submit a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating that you are eligible to take the certification examination.

NOTE: Possession of one of the following certifications automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.

• 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 (related to this position) by ASCP or AMT.

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 (related to this position) by ASCP or AMT.

GS-12 GRADE DETERMINATION

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST (LABORATORY INFORMATION MANAGER)

Specialized Experience

Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-11

Note

To be equivalent to the GS-11 level, experience also had to be gained while having an active:

• Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT (or)
• Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT (or)
• Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT related to the lab section for this position

Creditable Experience

To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current CLS practices. The experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment as a CLS in the health care field. Research laboratory experience does not fulfill this requirement.

Quality of Experience

Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to CLS experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level (FPL), the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity, and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Reference

Reference - GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Specialist Experience is the following:

This is considered full performance level for a CLS. A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The CLS develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements. The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods. In addition to routine testing, the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity of test results, and the need for additional tests. Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control, and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program. This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing. These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The CLS assesses a situation, considers the options, and formulates an appropriate course of action. This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures, collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Laboratory Information Manager), GS-12

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methodology of clinical laboratory technology in relation to laboratory information systems
• Knowledge of laboratory operations and their relationship to the organization.
• Knowledge of laboratory computer systems sufficient to implement various laboratory associated packages and sustain operation of the laboratory system.
• Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions.
• Ability to adapt, implement and integrate the use of software to specific laboratory applications and processes, including the use of office automation software.
• Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assign Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions.

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

This position is above the full-performance level (GS-11) for this occupation. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Preferred Experience

• 3 years of LIM experience
• Experience with SQL, HL7, Vista, Data Innovations and Cerner
• Master's degree in a computer-related field

Physical Requirements

• Physical aspects associated with work for this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.