Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Microbiology

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in New Orleans seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist to perform microbiology, molecular biology, and routine laboratory testing.

The role includes viral load and COVID-19 testing across platforms, with additional duties in serology and hematology as needed. The ideal candidate will hold MLS/MT certification (ASCP/AMT) and a bachelor's degree in medical technology or a related field, with eligibility for EDRP and a standard VA pay/benefits package.

Qualifications

• United States citizenship required or path to citizenship per VA policy
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• ASCP BOC or AMT certification options (MLS/MT)
• Categorical or specialist certifications may be eligible for higher graded positions
• Non-certified individuals may be temporarily appointed and pursue certification
• Full performance level and licensure requirements described in VA qualifications standard

Responsibilities

• Perform the full range of Microbiology, Molecular Microbiology, and Bacteriology testing in a Clinical Microbiology Laboratory
• Conduct viral load testing and COVID-19 testing on available platforms
• Carry out additional laboratory testing as needed (serology, SEM, ANA, RF, etc.)
• Report unusual results to Section Supervisor and Infection Control
• Work a Monday–Friday schedule with rotating weekends/holidays for coverage

Skills

ASCP/AMT Certification

MLS/MT Certification

Laboratory testing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or related field

Job description

Summary

The 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.

Qualifications

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
• 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)
• Exception for Non-Certified
• Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of 4 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
• 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)
• Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the Full Performance Level
• Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• Grandfathering Provision
• Employees in VHA in this 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
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07
• Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09
• Experience or Education
• Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• OR 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
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a)Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
• (b)Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles
• (c)Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance
• (d)Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments
• (e)Ability to read and interpret written instructions
• (f)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: Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR 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
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a)Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent work.(b)Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement
• (c)Skill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processes
• (d)Ability to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentation
• (e)Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• (f)Ability to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructions
• (g)Ability to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the health care team - external relations - customer service - and patient education
• Preferred Experience: This position requires ASCP / AMT Certification and at least 2 years of experience working as a Medical Technologist
• The ideal applicant should have a demonstrated history of job stability and minimum of 3 continuous years Experience working independently on an evening or overnight shift in a core laboratory - including experience in Chemistry - Hematology - Microbiology - and Blood Bank
• 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: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• 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.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The duties of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Microbiology include - but are not limited to Performs the full range of Microbiology - Molecular Microbiology - and Bacteriology testing associated with a Clinical Microbiology Laboratory
• Performs viral load testing - Performs COVID-19 testing on all available platforms
• Performs a range of laboratory testing - as needed - including testing often performed outside a microbiology laboratory
• This includes - but is not limited to: Serology Testing - Fecal Occult Blood testing (FIT) - Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE) - Anti-nuclear Antibodies (ANA) - Rheumatoid Factor (RF) - Synovial fluid Crystal Identification - Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) and other testing for syphilis
• Reports any unusual results to the Section Supervisor and Infection Control as needed
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm with rotating weekends and holidays as needed for Clinical Coverage (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit