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

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• 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
• 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: 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: (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
• 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
• 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: GS-7: 1 year of general laboratory and phlebotomy experience as a Medical Technologist
• Experience with wide variety of clinical laboratory equipment such as Chemistry/Immunoassay (i.e. - Roche Cobas) - Hematology/ Coagulation (i.e. - Sysmex XN series - Werfen ACL TOP) - Molecular Testing (i.e - GeneXpert) - Elisa Testing (i.e - Diasorin) - and Urinalysis (i.e - Beckman DxU Iris)
• Skilled in informatics (i.e. - CPRS/VISTa) - laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes
• Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory principles - practices - concepts - and theories with the ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement to manage reagent and supply inventories and document control systems
• Ability to communicate - consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team - external relations - customer service and patient education
• GS-9: 1-3 years of general laboratory and phlebotomy experience as a Medical Technologist
• Experience with wide variety of clinical laboratory equipment such as Chemistry/Immunoassay (i.e. - Roche Cobas) - Hematology/ Coagulation (i.e. - Sysmex XN series - Werfen ACL TOP) - Molecular Testing (i.e - GeneXpert) - Elisa Testing (i.e - Diasorin) - and Urinalysis (i.e - Beckman DxU Iris)
• Skilled in informatics (i.e. - CPRS/VISTa) - laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes
• Comprehensive knowledge of professional clinical laboratory principles - practices - concepts - and theories with the ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement to manage reagent and supply inventories and document control systems
• Ability to communicate - consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team - external relations - customer service and patient education
• GS-11: 5+ years of general laboratory and phlebotomy experience as a Medical Technologist
• Experience with wide variety of clinical laboratory equipment such as Chemistry/Immunoassay (i.e. - Roche Cobas) - Hematology/ Coagulation (i.e. - Sysmex XN series - Werfen ACL TOP) - Molecular Testing (i.e - GeneXpert) - Elisa Testing (i.e - Diasorn) - and Urinalysis (i.e - Beckman DxU Iris)
• Skilled in informatics (i.e. - CPRS/VISTa) - laboratory data flow and the understanding of laboratory processes
• Comprehensive knowledge of professional clinical laboratory principles - practices - concepts - and theories with the ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement to manage reagent and supply inventories and document control systems
• Ability to communicate - consult and interact with other members of the healthcare team - external relations - customer service and patient education
• Supervisor's
• 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-7 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: The position will require light lifting (under 15 pounds) - light carrying (under 15 pounds) - use of fingers - both hands required - walking (3 hours) - standing (4 hours) - and repeated bending (2 hours).

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties outlined below reflect the full performance level GS-11 - Clinical Laboratory Scientist (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 Administrative Duties: Incumbent performs administrative duties as necessary for laboratory services
• Primary responsibilities are to receive and direct calls to appropriate laboratory department/section
• Provide guidance to clinical and non-clinical staff on clinical and anatomical laboratory testing services
• Advise clinical and non-clinical staff on proper ordering protocols for patient testing and fiscal efficiency based on established guidelines or pathologist approval
• Incumbent reports trends and perspective solutions to management for monthly quality indicator reports
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm - Monday to Friday 10:30am to 7:00pm - and Monday to Friday 2:00pm to 10:30pm 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: the CCOE EDRP Group at: VISN17EDRP2@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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 #: 53492-F - 53493-F - 53494-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Note: This is a Bargaining Unit position.