Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Summary

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is a certified laboratoryprofessional who performs complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis - treatment - or prevention of disease in clinical laboratoryspecialties including - but not limited to - Hematology - Chemistry - Immunohematology(Blood Bank) - Microbiology - Immunology - and Molecular Diagnostics. A CLS is responsible for performing the pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of clinical laboratory testing.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• To qualify for appointment to this position - all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7407(a)
• Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• 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
• 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)
• 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
• If a CLS currently has - or ever had - their CLS certification revoked - suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status - HR Office staff must appoint them according to the provisions in VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section B - paragraph 16
• 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 in 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403 (f)
• 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-07
• (1) Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2) Assignment
• Employees at this level serve in a CLS entry-level position
• It is expected that they receive' s guidance from more experienced staff members and require direct supervision daily
• 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
• (3) 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
• The CLS demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods
• This includes routine testing - quality control - routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting that applies innovative procedures and problem solving
• Deviations from regular procedures - unanticipated problems - and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance
• Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level
• 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
• (3) Assignment
• This is considered FPL for a CLS
• A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory
• The CLS develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and 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 - and immunohematology
• Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods
• In addition to routine testing - the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting
• The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states - determines the validity of test results - and 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 - and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program
• This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing
• These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility - including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision
• The CLS assesses a situation - considers the options - and formulates an appropriate course of action.
  
  

Duties

• Functions: The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) rotates with other technologists on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areas
• S/He also works other assigned shifts: off-hour shifts - weekends - and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need
• The duties and responsibilities of the CLS include but are not limited to the following: Duties/Tasks 1
• The incumbent works rotating weekends and holidays and provides emergency coverage for other tours as scheduled or as priorities demonstrate a need
• 2
• May serve as an advanced operator on laboratory analyzers
• May perform daily preventative maintenance as well as more intensive weekly - monthly and/or quarterly preventative maintenance
• Ensures maintenance is completed as scheduled and within the required timeframes
• Appropriately documents all actions related to the maintenance of analyzers
• 3
• Assists Supervisory Medical Technologist in providing effective and professional training (including on-the-job demonstration) to medical technicians and medical technologists as needed
• 4
• Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen(s) if determined to be unsuitable for testing
• Prepares specimens for analysis - ensuring that the physiological state of the specimen properties is maintained
• 5
• 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
• 6
• Loads - reagents and consumables as needed to ensure adequate stocking for daily workload
• Performs lot-to-lot verification of new lots of reagents according to laboratory policy
• 7
• Utilizes peer comparison charts for reagents performance verification and patient correlation between multiple instruments and ensures new lot values fall within the acceptable coefficient of variation
• 8
• Performs and monitors quality controls daily
• ensures timely and thorough evaluation of data - ensures discrepancies are identified and resolved - document completion and corrective actions appropriately
• Obtains data and complies with the practices - procedures - and techniques described in the quality assurance plan
• 9
• Utilizes software to generate quality control results for analyzers
• Evaluates and interprets quality control by utilizing Levey-Jennings charts and applying Westgard Rules
• Appropriately recognizes and addresses statistical process control rule violations associated with - out of control tests
• This would include troubleshooting and making judgement calls such as recognizing the need to calibrate and/or perform quality control on reagents
• Submits monthly QC data within stated time frames as assigned
• 10.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
• 11.Troubleshoots control and/or calibrator problems and works with the manufacturer's hotline technicians to correct repairable problems
• Documents corrective action in \"corrective action logs\"
• Performs and documents daily - weekly - and monthly maintenance on analyzers
• 12.Selects - performs - evaluates - and monitors the performance of non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• locates and implements corrections
• Accurately performs all routine - complex and specialized procedures within specified time-period
• 13.Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results
• Monitors pending list for delayed or missing samples and follows protocol for reordering tests with appropriate documentation
• 14
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly
• Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e. - history - medications) to verify results
• Evaluate guides or implement possible alternative approaches to standard methods
• 15.Communicates - consults - and interacts with other members of the healthcare team
• Reports critical or urgent test results to the clinician or provider within appropriate timeframes and completes documentation
• 16.Works as a technologist to perform all manual and automated tests at the bench level (in the assigned department areas) as outlined in the procedure manuals
• 17.Responsible for the performance of laboratory testing using manual and automated testing methods
• Enter's the results into laboratory computer system and verify completed results
• Work Schedule: 3rd shift (Midnight to 8:00am) rotating shifts - holidays and weekends