Clinical Laboratory Scientist

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.

• 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
• (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)
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of the candidates
• 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
• Demonstrated 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
• Assignment: This is considered full performance level for a 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
• 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: The work consists of both desk-sitting - standing - and physical exertion
• There will be walking - bending - standing - retrieving items from shelves and cabinets - and carrying moderately heavy items such as bulk reagents and equipment
• No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

• The incumbent serves as a generalist with the responsibility of performing the full range of procedures and carries out day-to-day operations within the clinical laboratories at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Southeast Network (VISN 7) - Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) in located in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine department
• This position is required to rotate in all areas of the laboratory which may include Blood Bank - Chemistry and Special Chemistry - Hematology - Coagulation - Urinalysis - Microbiology - Phlebotomy - Specimen Processing - Serology - and Send-Out and work off-hour shifts - weekends - and holidays as dictated by mission requirement
• Duties include - however - not limited to: Maintains advance knowledge and rotates through all sections of the clinical laboratory while performing the full range of site-specific emergency and routine procedures in areas such as chemistry - urinalysis - hematology - coagulation - serology - bacteriology - immunohematology - specimen procurement - and send-out areas
• Evaluates requested procedures to determine the suitability of specimen for analysis and requests new specimen if determined to be unsuitable
• Performs venipuncture to obtain samples for testing
• Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures - recognizing deviation from expected results - analyzing and correcting problems using scientific principles
• Performs daily administrative functions to include pending list review - quality control review - shipping manifest review - etc and communication for the next shift is relayed
• Reconciles incomplete lists and enters reports as needed
• Directs phlebotomists and ensures adequate phlebotomy coverage in absence of supervisor
• Assists all supervisors in preparing and responding to requests from hospital staff and regulatory agencies and may serve as a designee in their absence if requested
• Instructs medical technicians - veteran work-study students and others in routine laboratory techniques - equipment use - etc
• Selects - performs - evaluates - and monitors the performance of test procedures - using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and maintain proper records for quality control reports
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 2:00PM -10:00PM - 3:00PM - 11:00PM - or 4:00PM - 12:00AM - with rotating weekends and holidays
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 59321F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact ... - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.