Summary

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (Path & Lab) at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center or Satellite Testing Sites as assigned and performs complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis - treatment - or prevention of disease in clinical laboratory specialties including - but not limited to - Hematology - Chemistry - Microbiology - Immunology - and post-analytical phases of clinical laboratory testing.

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
• English language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7043 (f) Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification
• (1) Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• (c) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT
• Grandfathering Provision
• Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and certification where applicable
• 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
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07
• (1) Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements.(2) Assignment
• Employee at this level serves in a CLS entry-level position
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily direct supervision
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09
• (1) 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
• OR (b) Education
• Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science
• (2) Assignment
• The CLS is responsible for evaluating - performing - interpreting - and validating the accuracy and validity of test results
• The CLS demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods
• This includes routine testing - quality control - routine maintenance of instrumentation - and troubleshooting that applies innovative procedures and problem solving
• Deviations from regular procedures - unanticipated problems - and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance
• Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level
• It is expected that a CLS at this grade performs more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the entry level
• In addition to meeting the experience or education - applicants must also possess the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: (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
• (1) 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
• (2) Assignment
• 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
• In addition to meeting the experience or education - applicants must also possess the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: (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
• 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: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 45 lbs
• Straight pulling
• pushing - reaching above the shoulder - use of fingers and both hands (grasping)
• Walking - frequent standing (i.e
• up to 4 hours)
• Kneeling repeated bending and use of both arms and legs and repetitive motion
• Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes and depth perception
• Ability to distinguish colors anti shades of colors - hearing (aids permitted)
• Clear high cognitive function and emotional stability
• Ability to read ordinary type without strain.

Duties

• GS-7 (Entry) -Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimen for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• -Selects - performs - evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• locates and implements corrections
• -Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports
• -Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly
• -Documents and maintain all quality control - maintenance - and corrective action logs
• performs instrument to instrument correlations - new reagents and control validations and all other technical procedures required to maintain laboratory compliance
• -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
• -Calibrates - standardizes - adjusts and maintains instruments
• Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring
• Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs
• GS-09 -Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimen for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• -Selects - performs - evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• locates and implements corrections -Performs review of manually entered laboratory results in the Laboratory Information System (LIS)
• -Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly
• -Successfully performs proficiency surveys - linearity studies and other intra-laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency which is rotated through all technical staff performing the test
• -Clinical Laboratory Scientists trained as primary operators assume all the responsibilities and primary operator duties assigned by the Supervisor
• -Maintains records and documentation in compliance with required rules and regulations of regulatory and accrediting agencies and organizations
• -Assists the Supervisors in ensuring proper preparation for inspections and accreditation by the applicable accrediting agencies: i.e - American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) - College of American Pathologists (CAP) - Joint Commission and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• -Reviews all new procedures - initially and annually thereafter - documenting knowledge of and that they follow the procedure
• Adapts to new instrumentation and new procedures
• -Accessions patient orders - performs phlebotomy and collects samples in accordance with laboratory procedures
• -Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports
• GS-11 (Full Performance Level) -Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimen for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• -Selects - performs - evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• locates and implements corrections
• -Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports
• -Calibrates - standardizes - adjusts and maintains instruments
• Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring
• Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs
• -Demonstrates sound judgment and wise decision-making skills through testing and reporting of laboratory results
• -Assists in special projects - delegated assignments - and any other duties as assigned by the supervisor
• -Practices safe work habits as outlined in departmental and VA wide policies and procedures
• -The Clinical Laboratory Scientist plans and carries out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignment and handles problems and corrects errors in accordance with established protocols and acceptable practices
• OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday: 12:00 am-8:00 am or 10:00pm-8:00am
• rotating weekends and holidays