Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Evening/Nights/Weekend Team

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.

Major duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing, reporting, documentation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and other tasks of the Clinical Laboratory Science occupation. Maintains competency and performs testing in Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, and Microbiology/Molecular sections. Receives, accessions, and processes incoming samples per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from all areas of the hospital and outlying clinics. Prioritizes workload to ensure prompt reporting of test results, keeping TAT for lab tests within established guidelines (STAT, Timed, routine). Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures in Chemistry, including Immunoassay testing, Immunology, Urinalysis, and manual procedures such as Osmolarity. Performs testing in Hematology, including automated and manual differentials, coagulation testing, and other routine hematology and coagulation tests. Performs Microbiology testing, including Positive Blood Culture work-up, Cepheid tests (MRSA/SA Screening, MRSA/SA BC, CT/NG, MVP, COVID-19, FLUVID), Biofire Respiratory Panel, Biofire BCID2, and Biofire ME panel. Performs STAT CSF Cryptococcus Ag, India Ink Prep, and Synovial Crystal Analysis. Performs the full range of Transfusion Medicine procedures, including ABO/Rh, antibody screen, antibody identification, compatibility testing, Direct Antiglobulin testing, antigen typing, donor unit confirmation, component modifications, blood product issuance, Transfusion Reaction workups, Quality Control testing, and documentation in the Facility's Electronic Medical Record. Looks up orders, results, and other pertinent patient information in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and enters results and other relevant information into the EMR. Adheres to all SOPs to ensure accuracy of laboratory results. Verifies and reports results promptly, communicating and documenting all "Critical Values" ("Panic Values") and "Significant Results" according to laboratory policy. Reviews all test results, ensures validity, detects discrepancies, and correlates information with clinical history and previous laboratory results; performs additional testing as needed. Recognizes Delta Alerts and takes appropriate action to ensure sample integrity, accurate identification, and valid result reporting. Communicates confirmed unexpected or unusual results promptly and consistently, informing the Section Supervisor and other areas that may be affected as these incidents occur. Collaborates with healthcare professionals, physicians, and pathologists to clarify test results to support clinical decisions. Conducts instrument validations and test validations, IQCP, specimen assessment, testing, and quality control. Performs competency assessments of team members as assigned. Documents required data on Incident Logs daily as findings occur.

Work Schedule: Alternate Tour including alternating weekends and holidays (7-on / 7-off 7:00pm - 7:00 am) (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility)

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Christopher.Billiot@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 Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 01352F, 01353F, 01354F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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:

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: This position requires ASCP / AMT Certification and at least 2 years of experience working as a Medical Technologist. The ideal applicant should have a demonstrated history of job stability and minimum of 3 continuous years Experience working independently on an evening or overnight shift in a core laboratory, including experience in Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, and Blood Bank.

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, puling, 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.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.