Supervisory Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Grand Junction, Colorado seeks a qualified Clinical Laboratory Scientist to join the medical laboratory service. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with program details determined after review of the EDRP application by the Education Loan Repayment Services office.

Candidates must meet basic requirements: U.S. Citizenship, English proficiency, and a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship is required.
• English Language Proficiency required.

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

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.

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. MTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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. OR The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination.

Certification. 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. 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).

Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified. Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12. Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments. Assignments at the GS-11. Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, & validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures & 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, & immunohematology. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens &/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods. In addition to routine testing, the CLS conducts quality control & routine maintenance of instrumentation & troubleshooting. The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity of test results, & 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, &d/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program. This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management & ancillary testing. These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment & responsibility, including organizing & setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The CLS assesses a situation, considers the options, & formulates an appropriate course of action. This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems & measures, collaborating in the diagnosis & treatment of patients, & providing education for laboratory health care professionals & the public in a professional, courteous, & effective manner. And Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (A) Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations and laboratory accrediting agency regulatory requirements sufficient to develop plans and procedures for the laboratory. (B) Knowledge of laboratory quality management procedures and principles sufficient to establish and monitor a laboratory quality management program and/or t