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.
Applicants 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 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 in 4c 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, Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11 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. 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. 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. This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures, collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit the https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Must be able to perform moderate lifting of 15-50 pounds, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking 4-8 hours, standing 4-8 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, and use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include both eyes, depth perception, the ability to distinguish colors and shades or colors, and the ability to ready ordinary type without strain. Must have adequate hearing (aids permitted), and the emotional stability and mental stability to deal with stressful situations.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Orlando VA Healthcare System is looking for an experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) to join the Microbiology Section located at Lake Nona. The incumbent is a qualified, experience Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) who performs waived and nonwaived testing on a variety of clinical biological specimens using manual or automated techniques. The incumbent is responsible for pre-analytical, and post-analytical specimen testing phases of a complexity index group 1a laboratory at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. The CLS at the full performance level (FPL) works independently on any assigned tour of duty and laboratory specialties. The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties/subspecialties (in one or multiple specialties) such as microbiology, virology, parasitology, mycology, serology, immunology, and molecular diagnostic testing. The incumbent may assist in reference testing (send out), lab specimen collections/receiving, laboratory specimen preservation and processing. Duties include but not limited to: Has knowledge of and ability to collect samples appropriate for the tests requested by the physician using the correct preservatives, anticoagulants, collection intervals and/or times, and patient condition(s) by following approved policy and procedure. The CLS may perform venipunctures, or capillary punctures, or may assist in bone marrow or other specimen collections. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Assigns priority to test requests and executes them expeditiously for use in critical care situations. Assist the section's Lead CLS and/or Supervisory CLS in new test systems validations/verifications, method correlations, linearities/AMR verifications, establishment of normal reference ranges, among other studies as mandated by accrediting agencies. Performs a broad range advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Performs steps of analysis for a full range of standard, routine, and specialized tests; selects appropriate method/instrument; performs instrument maintenance and performance checks; prepares reagents/media; calibrates or verifies calibration of the assay; performs analysis and calculates results, if applicable, for control and unknown samples. Performs quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. Document corrective actions related to test performance. Adheres to established approved quality control procedures as mandated by accrediting agencies and as outlined in the appropriate procedure manual(s) for the assigned laboratory specialty. Performs additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday 7:30am - 4:00pm; with rotating Holidays and additional hours as necessary based on the needs of the facility. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Jamie Wunsch at V8_EDRP_Orlando@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 82378F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized