Summary

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.

Qualifications

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
• 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)
• 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 4 the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency
• Non-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 Full Performance Level
• Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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 the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07
• Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09
• Experience or Education
• Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• OR Education
• Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science
• Assignment
• An individual at this grade level serves as a developmental CLS
• 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
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11 Experience or Education
• Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR 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 Preferred Experience: Minimum of one year of ASCP certification
• Experience in quality control - analyzer maintenance - troubleshooting - and capable of working independently
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• 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
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Clinical Laboratory Sciences: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) performs procedures in the areas of chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology) - hematology - coagulation - urinalysis - immunology - immunohematology (blood banking) - serology - microbiology (may include mycology - parasitology - and virology) - and specimen procurement and processing
• The CLS rotates with other generalists on a regular basis through the abovementioned areas working off-hour shifts - weekends - and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need
• Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimens for analysis and maintains specimen stability requirements
• Participates in specimen procurement
• Prepares reagents and primary reference materials - assembles equipment - verifies correct instrument operation
• standardizes - performs - and calculates results for a variety of complex tests
• Selects - performs - evaluates - and monitors the performance of routine - nonroutine and specialized test procedures using manual techniques and/or automated instruments in accordance with established protocols and regulations
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction - locates problem - and implements corrections
• evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures
• Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks
• Identifies the cause of common problems with symptoms and makes necessary adjustments or repairs
• Maintains appropriate levels of supplies and reagents for the efficient operation of the clinical laboratory
• notifies supervisor when supply levels reach 7 days or less
• Works with management to assure laboratory compliance with regulatory agency requirements and guidelines
• Maintains appropriate professional credentials and all required continuing education
• Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday - 9:00 pm - 7:00 am
• subject to change based on the needs of the facility Relocation 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 VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@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 #: 01386F - 01387F - 01367F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized