This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document. 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. Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. 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. 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). 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 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). 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 Determination:GS-12: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities (listed below) to fully perform at that grade level. GS-11 experience is defined as: 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. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation. Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
The Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty including preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation, and compliance. Acts as a liaison to other departments of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis ensuring physiologic processes and requirements. Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols to resolve problems to complex and difficult situations. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Coordinates Quality Control activities with the Supervisor. Coordinates proficiency program for the appropriate laboratory specialty. Researches qualitative and quantitative methods in the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Performs statistical analysis on quality control and quality assurance monitors. Calibrate, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Possesses and utilizes the skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory equipment. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results. Performs complex laboratory procedures and analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm interpretation of abnormal patient results. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system. Performs venipunctures for specimen collection. Instructs, assists, and advises medical technicians, residents, hospital staff, patients and students as necessary regarding questions, but not limited to, patient testing, specimen collection, equipment, ordering requirements, incorporating principles of educational methodology, etc. Coordinates training in the methods and techniques of the appropriate laboratory specialty area. Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current regulations. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Evaluates, implements, and develops new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Interprets findings and makes recommendations. Assists with laboratory projects and improvements such as safety, quality control monitoring, supplies and reagent monitoring and ordering and analyzer specialist. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. Possesses the ability to provide guidance and technical direction. Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed, and ensures team priorities, goals, needs, and achievements are coordinated with management. Possesses the ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section and act as a liaison between the team members and the supervisor. Maintains inventory control for supplies and reagents. Assists supervisor with knowledge in building of contracts and equipment purchases. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized