Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist)

Summary

This 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

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: (1) 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 (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination
• NOTE: Possession of a certification identified above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• 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
• Loss of Credential: If an employee fails to maintain the required certification - management officials - in collaboration with HR Office staff - must immediately remove the employee from duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation
• This may also result in separation from employment
• 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)
• 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
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
• 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 GS-11
• Preferred Experience: 2 years of experience working in Hematology preferred Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion - such as standing for long periods of time - use of microscopes - some lifting loading and unloading reagent packs - sitting at desk - counter - or bench top with operations of the computer terminals - telephones - and various workstations associated with the respective instrumentations in use
• The incumbent is required to use personal protective equipment or gear - such as laboratory coats - aprons - gloves safety goggles - face shields - chemical fume - and biological hoods - and adopt sterile techniques in the daily work environment
• The work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations
• Work Environment: The work is performed in pathology and laboratory medicine service where there is risk of exposure to contagious disease - carcinogenic materials - caustic reagents - noxious fumes - and flammable liquids
• The work environment is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated.
  
  

Duties

• This position is located in the James J
• Peters VA Medical Center functioning as a generalist Clinical Laboratory Scientist in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine service (P&LM) - with the primary responsibility to provide the patients at the medical center with testing in the areas of Blood Banking - Clinical Chemistry - Coagulation - Hematology - Immunology - Microbiology (minimal selective testing) - molecular diagnostics - and Urinalysis in support of direct patient care
• Major duties are but not limited to: Administers Tests/Laboratory Procedures: - Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures such as routine - advanced - and complex procedures - including infectious disease molecular testing
• recognizes deviation from expected results
• analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• - Performs accurate and appropriate testing of specimens/blood - serum - plasma - and body fluids received in the clinical laboratory (chemistry - hematology - coagulation - urinalysis - Serology - Molecular - Blood bank - and minimal selective tests in microbiology) according to established laboratory protocol and procedures
• Uses both automated and manual techniques and applies a practical knowledge of the chemistry - biology and serology involved
• - Selects - performs - evaluates - and monitors the performance of non-routine and specialized test procedures in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunctions
• locates and implements correction
• Accurately performs all routine - complex and specialized procedures within specified time period
• - Performs complex tests and examinations
• Provides Instruction: - Provides effective and professional training to new hire medical technologists/technicians and other clinical staff on the theoretical and practical aspects of immunohematology in unique handling of specimens and testing procedures
• Stays abreast of new developments and changes in the profession
• - Provides on-the-job demonstration of laboratory practices and explains procedures to new medical technologist/technicians and other clinical staff
• Establish Quality Control Criteria: - Performs and monitors quality control and measures to assure the accuracy and validity of test results
• - Prepares reagents - assembles equipment - and verifies correct instrument operation
• Monitors Quality: - Monitors quality control system daily
• Ensures timely and thorough evaluation of data - ensures discrepancies are identified and attended
• - Obtains data and complies with the practice - procedures and techniques described in the quality improvement program
• - Adheres to quality control measures - suggests new and revised methods of collecting and evaluating quality control data
• Reports Findings: - Maintains established record keeping systems to assure the accuracy and validity of patient testing results and data
• Prepares preliminary and final reports
• - Reports medical alerts according to established criteria
• Enters results into medical center computer system - verifying accuracy - completeness - and validity in the process - and reports results to appropriated individual
• - Shall troubleshoot instrumentation and procedures in the effort to maintain an efficient workflow
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8am-430pm - weekend rotation and holidays EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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 toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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) Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 12222F