Summary

The generalist Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) with responsibility for performing procedures in the areas of Blood Bank - Chemistry and Special Chemistry - Hematology/Coagulation - Phlebotomy - Urinalysis - Immunohematology - Microbiology - referral testing - and ancillary testing. The generalist Clinical Laboratory Scientists rotate with other generalists on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areas.

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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: 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 (GS-09).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
• (Transcripts required) Knowledge - 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 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 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 - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to potentially irritating and volatile organic solutions and infections materials
• Adherence to safety and universal precautions and use of protective gear such as laboratory coats - fume hoods - safety goggles and gloves are required to reduce occupational risk factors
• Work is performed in a laboratory setting
• 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

• Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12785114-25-LC
• **This Job Announcement is considered an Open Continuous Announcement
• This announcement may close before the listed closing date
• A certificate of referral will be issued every 15 days until all selections are made
• ** Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf The duties and responsibilities of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Generalist include - but are not limited to the following: Comprehensive knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories to produce sound independent work
• Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality assurance principles to consistently manage quality control - process improvements - inventories - and documentation in laboratory operations
• Properly collects - handles - accessions - and labels specimens according to safety - patient identification - and infection control policies
• Participates in writing standard operating procedures for a variety of users
• Uses extensive knowledge of Clinical Laboratory Science profession to read - interpret and apply complex written instructions and procedures
• Evaluates the suitability and preparation of specimens for analysis - maintains seamless identification - preserves the viability of the specimen - and ensures uniformity is maintained
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction and implements corrections
• Uses independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results - analyzer messages/flags - and incongruous data
• Conducts quality control procedures for processes including equipment - reagents - and products
• Maintains quality control data in format designed for each system
• The incumbent produces statistical spreadsheets - charts - and records for quality control reports
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - subject to change 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 April.Hightower@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 #: 00179F/ 00178F/ 01152F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.