Clinical Lab Scientist - Education Coordinator

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is a certified laboratory professional who performs complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease in clinical laboratory specialties including, but not limited to, Hematology, Chemistry, Immunohematology (Blood Bank), Microbiology, Immunology, Cytogenetics, Anatomic Pathology, Electron Microscopy, Molecular Diagnostics, and Flow Cytometry.

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: Must have 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. NOTE: Possession of a certification identified below 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.

1. Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
2. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
3. 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).

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:

GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Education Coordinator) Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Education Coordinator) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of medical technology concepts, principles, and practices sufficient to support an educational program for students and continuing education programs for the staff.
• Knowledge of the education program's affiliation agreements and accreditation requirements.
• Knowledge of a particular specialty or function such as blood banking or molecular diagnostics, to be recognized as a technical authority for instruction.
• Knowledge of training methods to conduct continuing education sessions for staff development. The training sessions may be technical in nature or may focus on teaching techniques so that staff can improve their technical skills.
• Skill in using educational design, development, evaluation techniques, and teaching methods.

Assignment: The CLS provides authoritative representation and interaction with a cooperating consortium, affiliated universities, colleges, resource organizations, and state and/or Federal officials to coordinate program goals, objectives, and policies. The CLS may serve on curriculum or admission committees of affiliated colleges. The CLS acts as the clinical education coordinator responsible for organization of all educational activities and relationships with external clinical laboratory educational programs. The CLS will coordinate and administer clinical training programs for medical technology students, facility staff, and others assigned for medical technology training, including formal in service and continuing education programs. The CLS designs, evaluates, and teaches training programs in the areas they are proficient. The CLS establishes, negotiates, and maintains affiliation agreements and schedules students for appropriate rotations. The CLS prepares affiliate student schedules and arranges lectures with educators/instructors. The CLS maintains student records including attendance, evaluation, progress records, and an accurate file of training records for each student for future employment. The CLS must finalize and forward students' final grades to the college and maintain records of the number of clinical hours performed, and so forth. The CLS may develop teaching materials, activities, and handouts for the course and participates in assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation activities to improve the instructional quality of the course.

Preferred Experience: At least 2 years experience as a CLS in a hospital setting. Previous experience in education and laboratory safety is a plus.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain.

Responsibilities:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

• Develop, coordinate, and oversee educational programs for laboratory students, trainees, and staff in alignment with accreditation and affiliation requirements.
• Apply medical technology concepts, principles, and practices to support effective instruction and ensure educational content aligns with current laboratory standards.
• Serve as a technical authority and subject-matter expert in a designated specialty area such as blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, or molecular diagnostics.
• Review, manage, and maintain affiliation agreements with educational institutions and ensure all program components meet accreditation standards.
• Design, deliver, and evaluate continuing education programs to support staff development and maintain laboratory competency.
• Utilize a full range of instructional methods, training modalities, and adult-learning principles to enhance comprehension and skill application.
• Conduct training sessions that may be technical in nature or focused on teaching techniques to improve staff instructional ability and technical performance.
• Develop and update educational curricula, lesson plans, competency tools, and evaluation materials using educational design and instructional development techniques.
• Oversee student rotations, scheduling, onboarding, documentation, evaluations, and compliance with program and institutional requirements.
• Assess training needs, identify gaps in knowledge or performance, and implement targeted educational interventions.
• Monitor changes in laboratory technology, regulatory requirements, and best practices to ensure educational programs remain current.
• Provide guidance and support to staff instructors and preceptors to promote high-quality teaching and mentorship.
• Evaluate learner performance, document competency assessments, and ensure accurate maintenance of training and certification records.
• Coordinate with laboratory leadership to align educational activities with operational needs, quality initiatives, and organizational goals.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and technical excellence across the laboratory.
• Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory safety and biosafety programs in compliance with federal, state, local, and institutional requirements.
• Conduct routine and specialized risk assessments for biological, chemical, and physical hazards across laboratory operations.
• Perform regular laboratory inspections to evaluate compliance, identify deficiencies, and recommend corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary subject-matter expert on biosafety, laboratory safety practices, and relevant regulatory standards.
• Provide technical guidance on safe laboratory design, engineering controls, workflow practices, and use of PPE.
• Review and approve biosafety protocols, standard operating procedures, and research procedures involving hazardous materials.
• Coordinate and deliver training programs on biosafety, bloodborne pathogens, chemical hygiene, waste management, and emergency response.
• Investigate laboratory incidents, exposures, injuries, and near-misses; document findings; and track implementation of corrective measures.
• Manage biological and chemical waste disposal processes and ensure compliance with hazardous waste regulations.

Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm Monday-Friday
Compressed/Flexible:May be available
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 61283-O
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $417