Clinical Laboratory Scientist

The purpose of this position is to serve as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) assigned to the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the James A. Haley V Hospital and Clinics. The CLS performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory requirements. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual and 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:

• 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.

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.

• 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.

EXCEPTION for Non-Certified Applicants

• 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.
• 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 FPL.
• Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level (GS-07 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.

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).

Grandfathering : See "Additional Information" for specific information regarding the Grandfathering Provision.

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 the grade level specified.

GS-07 Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience (Entry Level):

• 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.

GS-09 Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience -OR- Education -AND- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Developmental Level)

• 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 (GS-07). -OR-
  • Education. Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.

-AND-

• Certification- Certification is REQUIRED at this level.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing.
  • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
  • Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
  • Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
  • Ability to read and interpret written instructions.
  • Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.
• Assignment. An individual at this grade level serves as a developmental CLS. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. Please review the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard - GS-0644 for additional details of the assignment at the GS-09 Grade Level.

GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience -OR- Education -AND- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Full Performance Level)

• 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 (GS-09). -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.

-AND-

• Certification. Certification is REQUIRED at this level.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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 instructions.
  • Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education.

Assignment. A CLS at this full performance level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. Please review the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard - GS-0644 for additional details of the assignment at the GS-11 Grade Level.

Preferred Experience: At least 1 year of Clinical Microbiology experience.

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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Responsibilities:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

GS-7 Level: Entry
A. Collects, evaluates suitability for testing, processes, and transports specimens. This includes receiving, delivering, and storing specimens for other sections such as Histopathology, Cytology, and Molecular Pathology.
B. Prepares reagents, standards, calibrators, and quality control materials.
C. Maintains, calibrates, cleans, and repairs equipment and instruments. Documents those tasks and immediately informs Supervisors, Laboratory Directors, or Pathologists of any problems.
D. Prepares, tests, records, and interprets quality control materials. Documents all corrective actions for out-of-control events and immediately informs Supervisors, Laboratory Directors, or Pathologists of any problems.
E. Tests, verifies, and reports patient specimens in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and responds to indicators of malfunction, compares current results to previous patient results and to other acceptability criteria, telephones, and documents critical results, and communicates any problems or unusual events.
F. Safely operates equipment, properly handles chemicals and infectious material, identifies, and reports hazardous situations and institutes corrective actions, if possible. Complies with all safety rules and regulations, uses personal protective equipment as required, attends all relevant training sessions, and drills, and performs other safety-related tasks.

GS-9 Level:
A. Demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual and automated methods.
B. Properly collects, handles, accessions, and labels specimens according to safety, patient identification, and infection control policies.
C. Evaluates suitability for testing, processes, and transports specimens. This includes receiving, delivering, packing, and storing specimens for other sections preserving the viability of the specimen, and ensures uniformity is maintained.
D. Prepares reagents, standards, calibrators, and quality control materials.
E. Maintains, calibrates, cleans, and repairs equipment and instruments. Documents those tasks and immediately informs Supervisors, Laboratory Directors, or Pathologists of any problems.
F. Prepares, tests, records, and interprets quality control materials. Documents all corrective actions for out-of-control events and immediately informs Supervisors, Laboratory Directors, or Pathologists of any problems.

GS-11 Level:
A. Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections.
B. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepare specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained.
C. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports.
D. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm, rotating weekends and holidays.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 70270F, 70268F & 70657F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $64,508