Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Midnight Shift

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Hines (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) to join our on-site team in Illinois. The role emphasizes laboratory quality, testing protocols, and collaboration with healthcare professionals to support accurate patient diagnoses.

Position includes night shift hours 11:00pm-7:30am with rotating weekends/holidays; telework is not available. Education and certification path align with ASCP/AMT options, with EDRP eligibility noted.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required; non-citizens allowed only per VA policy.
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing.
• 3 years of graduate education or a Ph.D. in medical technology or related science.
• ASCP/AMT MLS or MT certification options must be met.
• Must demonstrate KSAs in clinical laboratory science principles and QA.

Responsibilities

• Maintains operations including preventive maintenance and training on new test systems.
• Writes procedures and other documents as directed.
• Develops protocols for tests and evaluation of results.
• Ensures tests adhere to accrediting agencies standards.
• Communicates with healthcare teams to guide diagnosis or risk assessment.
• Assists with staff competency assessment and teaching in CLS program.
• Notifies and adheres to CLIA/QA requirements.

Skills

Clinical laboratory science

Quality control and QA

Laboratory informatics

Instrumentation maintenance

Data interpretation

Communication with health care team

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

MLS certification (ASCP BOC or AMT) or MT certification

Graduate education (PhD or equivalent) in medical technology or related science

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

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 in accordance with 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
• Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT
• Grade Determinations: 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
• GS-11 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 instructionsAbility to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the health care team - external relations - customer service - and patient education
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is 11.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to Assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and training on the operation of new test systems
• Assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed
• Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services
• Develops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results
• Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements
• Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity - interference - sensitivity - and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results
• Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems
• Monitors and maintains inventory including reagents - calibrators - quality control - etc
• Consults with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient
• Provides technical advice to staff and other health care members
• Assists with staff competency assessment as applicable
• Maintains knowledge of and complies with the federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988
• Assumes responsibility for the instruction and coordination of teaching activities for Clinical Laboratory Scientist students in order to fulfill the requirements of a NAACLS-accredited CLS Program
• Work Schedule: Fulltime
• Monday - Friday 11:00pm-7:30am - Rotating Weekends and Holidays
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 06376F
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.