Clinical Lab Scientist- Night Shift

The purpose of this position is to serve as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at the full performance level in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and Clinics.

• 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. A 7403 (f)
• Education -Transcripts ( Submitted) A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification-Documentation ( Supplied ) 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)
• 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-11: 1) Experience or Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (a) Experience- (SF-50 Submitted- if applicable)
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR (b) Education-Transcript (Supplied)
• 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) 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
• (3) Assignment
• This is considered FPL for a 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
• 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 and the public in a professional - courteous - and effective manner
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 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 - use of both arms and legs and repetitive motion
• Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes - depth perception - ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors - hearing (aids permitted) - clear high cognitive functional and emotional stability
• ability to read ordinary type without strain.

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Clinical Laboratory Scientist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf Functions: Specific duties of a GS-11 CLS: 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
• Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepare specimens for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and 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
• 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
• Responsible for always maintaining the laboratory for regulatory inspection/survey readiness
• Facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks - priorities - goals are coordinated with management
• Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services
• Develops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results
• Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements
• Attends primary operator training for assigned instrumentation and serves as the technical expert on operations and troubleshooting
• Serves as a primary operator and technical expert of assigned instruments
• Trains other technologists in correct procedures of operation - reviews procedures should problems arise - and demonstrates more advanced troubleshooting procedures
• Orders all reagents and supplies for assigned instruments to ensure availability of all tests on the analyzer's menu - making sure to allow for reagent or calibrator problems that may arise
• Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity - interference - sensitivity - and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results
• Is responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance
• Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems
• Consults with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient
• Provides advisory services to technicians - technologists - and other specialists
• Assures corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established
• Work Schedule: 11pm-7am - Sunday-Thursday - 12am-8am - Rotating holidays and weekends
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized - subject to approval - available funding - and in accordance with agency policy
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #70657-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized