Clinical Lab Scientist

SummaryThis 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.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish 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 universityCertification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options belowGeneralist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMTGeneralist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMTCategorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMTNOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification heldCategorical 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)Exception for Non-Certified: 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 of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification AgencyNon-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 FPLNon-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtainedTemporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointmentForeign 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 credentialsGraduates 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 examinationMay 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 grade levels specifiedClinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07 Experience: None beyond the basic requirementsClinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09 Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade - or EducationMaster's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related scienceKnowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testingKnowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principlesKnowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenanceAbility to work as a team member and effectively complete assignmentsAbility to read and interpret written instructionsAbility to accurately perform pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of testingClinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - or EducationMust 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 scienceKnowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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 workKnowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvementSkill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processesAbility to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentationAbility to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory resultsAbility to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructionsAbility to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the health care team - external relations - customer service - and patient educationReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.DutiesTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines - such as bacteriology - chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology) - molecular biology - coagulation - flow cytometry - genetics - hematology - immunology - immunohematology (blood banking) - mycology - parasitology - serology - urinalysis - and virologySuch positions include requirements to monitor quality control systems and measurescollaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patientsand provide education for laboratory and other healthcare professionals - and others in the medical center setting including the publicThe generalist clinical laboratory scientist rotates with other generalists on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areasThe duties and responsibilities of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist includes - but is not limited to the following: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the Clinical laboratory Science occupationIn addition - performs advanced and complex laboratory proceduresrecognizes deviation from expected resultsanalyzes and corrects problems using scientific principlesEvaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirementsMaintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipmentUses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - troubleshoots - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipmentDiagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunctionPerforms and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvementCorelates abnormal lab data with pathological states - determines the validity of test results - and the need for additional testsAdheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplaceIdentifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutionsAnswers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors - which influence test resultsInterprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or proceduresEvaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment - method comparison - and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledgeInterprets findings and makes recommendationsIncorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the in-service/ continuing education programCommunicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team memberProvides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testingOrganizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlinesPerforms any other duties which are in the best interest of patient care and deemed necessary by the supervisorWork Schedule: 2:30 pm - 1:00 am or 9:30 pm - 7:30 am - with rotating weekendsRecruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not AuthorizedEDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact Rannetta Evans rannetta.evans@va.gov or William Kendall william.kendall@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen 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 experienceParental 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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 AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 30802F - GS7 - 30803F - GS9 - 30804F - GS11Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.