Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Microbiology

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at GS-07 to GS-11 levels. The role includes performing routine to moderately complex testing, following quality control procedures, and working under supervision as needed.

Eligibility for Education Debt Reduction Program is noted, with opportunities for professional certification and advancement. Applicants must meet basic federal requirements and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in medical technology or a related

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship required.
• English proficiency in speaking and writing.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college/university.
• Certification options include MLS or MT generalist/specialist through ASCP/AMT with specific eligibility requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical laboratory testing with guidance from senior staff.
• Maintain quality control and quality assurance procedures.
• Troubleshoot and repair instrumentation as needed.
• Interpret and communicate test results accurately to healthcare teams.

Skills

Laboratory knowledge

Quality control

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Reading instructions

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher inMedical Technology or related field

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

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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. OR
  • Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. OR
  • 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).
    • Exception for Non-Certified. (a) Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency. (b) Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). (c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL. (d) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (e) Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.

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

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07

Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Assignment: Employee at this level serves in a CLS entry-level position. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily direct supervision.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09

Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:

1. Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR
2. Education: Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
2. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles
3. Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance
4. Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments
5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions
6. Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11

Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:

1. Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09). OR
2. Education: Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science. (Transcripts required)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement
• Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes
• Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions
• Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education

Preferred Experience

Substantial/full-time hands-on experience in a clinical microbiology laboratory environment, including demonstrated proficiency in serology, microbiology, mycology, parasitology, and virology. Experience independently performing complex bench testing, interpreting organism identification results, and managing day-to-day workflow in a diagnostic microbiology setting is strongly preferred. Applicants should be comfortable working with a wide range of microbiological methodologies, maintaining quality control and quality assurance standards, and troubleshooting specialized microbiological instrumentation. Experience supporting infection control initiatives, evaluating specimen integrity, and ensuring accurate result reporting in accordance with established laboratory policies are highly encouraged to apply. Experience in specimen procurement, quality control, analyzer maintenance, troubleshooting, capable of working independently, and skilled in multitasking.

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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to Gs-11.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to potentially irritating and volatile organic solutions and infections materials. Adherence to safety and universal precautions and use of protective gear such as laboratory coats, fume hoods, safety goggles and gloves are required to reduce occupational risk factors. Work is performed in a laboratory setting; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.