Summary

The VISN 22 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PALMS) is looking for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Technical Specialist (Chemistry) for the Tucson VA Medical Center. The incumbent is able to exercise the independent judgement within the scope of testing and will perform high-level duties of significant scope - complexity and range of variety at least 25% of the time.

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
• (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
• 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: (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 basic requirements above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Technical Specialist (Chemistry) GS-12 Experience
• Must have 1 year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11)
• which is directly related to the position to be filled
• This is required for all GS-12 assignments
• Examples of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11): Develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements
• Performs 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 - conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting
• Correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states - determines the validity of test results - and the need for additional tests
• Performs 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
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (1)Knowledge and understanding of concepts - principles - methodology of medical laboratory technology - regulatory and accrediting agency requirements - medico-legal requirements - and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests
• (2) Knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired clinical laboratory scientists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of laboratory procedures
• (3) Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions
• (4) Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations
• (5)Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory
• (6)Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section
• Assignments: For all Clinical Laboratory Scientist Technical Specialist assignments - the individual must spend at least 25% or more of their time performing major duties above those at the full performance level that consist of significant scope - complexity - difficulty and variety
• The CLS serves as a Technical Specialist - providing expert authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult - complex - unique and or/emerging tests that require special knowledge
• Examples include - but are not limited to molecular pathology - gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy - and flow cytometry
• The CLS advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing - including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context
• The CLS advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses and analyzes emerging trends and technology to adopt appropriate methods and testing
• The CLS develops policies - precedents - regulatory - licensing - and accrediting requirements to establish - monitor and maintain the specialized testing
• The CLS assumes responsibility for training and competency assessment of staff and students within the area assigned
• The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner
• Preferred Experience: Must have current working knowledge of clinical laboratory processes and concepts
• Hospital or reference lab experience preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• Duties include - but not limited to: Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult - complex - unique - and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge
• Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the chemistry work area
• Recommends new/replacement instrumentation
• Designs work flow to accomplish objectives in the chemistry work area
• Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing - including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information
• Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses
• Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed
• Identifies - defines - and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists
• Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing
• Applies laws - policies - precedents - regulatory - licensing - and accrediting requirements to establish - monitor - and maintain the specialized testing
• Maintains process control in a specialty area through a multifaceted quality assurance program
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm PST -(Occasional weekends and holidays) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized