Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Third Shift

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist on Evening/Nights within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. The CLS develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures/results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements.

Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods.

Qualifications

• Education: bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification: Generalist (MLS/MT) or categorical/specialist by ASCP/AMT; non-certified routes may be allowed under VA policies.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes clinical laboratory science principles to perform independent work.
• Demonstrates quality control and assurance procedures and participates in performance improvement initiatives.
• Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors routine and specialized tests across disciplines using manual and automated methods.

Job description

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist on Evening/Nights within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. The CLS develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures/results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods.

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist on Evening/Nights within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. The CLS develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures/results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods.

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

• A
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• B
• Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director) - GS-15 - requires unique education requirements
• Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below
• C
• Certification
• (1) Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• (c) 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
• 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
• 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 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
• A
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07
• (1) Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2) 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
• B.
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09
• (1) Experience or Education
• Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (a) Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• OR - (b) Education
• Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science
• (2) 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
• C
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11
• (1) Experience or Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (a) Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR - (b) 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
• (2) 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
• 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-7 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests - walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center
• The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer - manual dexterity - visual acuity - color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time
• Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-50 pounds)
• light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling
• ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens
• ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise
• working closely with others
• high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy
• emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.

Duties

• The duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Utilizes knowledge of professional medical technology/clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories providing for sound independent work
• Demonstrates knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement providing for sound independent work
• Selects - performs - evaluates - and monitors the performance of routine and specialized test procedures for the different disciplines using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• locates and implements corrective actions
• If unable to resolve immediately notifies the Lead Medical Technologist or supervisor
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports
• Documents all activities - instrument and procedural calibrations - and maintenance performed including troubleshooting
• Retrieves control data from equipment or logs for submission to inter laboratory comparison programs
• Utilizes independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• Interprets and applies complex written instructions
• Follows the laboratory established policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the established levels of performance
• Documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory established performance specifications
• Assists in developing and verifying protocols for new instruments and procedures
• If assigned by the Supervisor - revises - creates - and/or maintains section procedure manual of the Clinical Laboratory according to guidelines stablished by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) - CLIA and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)
• Calibrates - standardizes - adjusts - and maintains instruments with assistance
• Verifies correct instrument operations using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring with assistance
• Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs with assistance
• Will promptly notify the Supervisor and/or Lead CLS before the level of reagents - controls - calibrators - and other supplies reach predetermined levels of depletion
• VA Careers - Clinical Laboratory Scientist: https://youtube.com/embed/eSDGhIwZKdw Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 3rd Shift
• 12:00AM - 8:30AM - including rotating weekends and holidays
• Telework: Not Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 941770 - 95253A - 95252A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Not eligible 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) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement