Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

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.

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.

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 -section A - paragraph 3g - of this part
• See 38 U.S.C. A 7407(a) for more information
• Education
• Individuals must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university Credential
• Persons appointed or reassigned to CLS positions in the GS-0644 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid Generalist certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (given by ASCP BOC or AMT) or a Medical Technologist (given by ASCP BOR or AMT)
• English Language Proficiency
• CLSs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. A 7403(f)
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all hybrid title 38 qualification standards
• Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation
• Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education - credential or certification requirements that apply to this occupation
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupation under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and certification where applicable
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or be changed to a lower grade within the 5 occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2)If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements - employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted.(3)Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.(4)Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.(5)Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standards must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/placements
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• 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 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• Grade Determinations: Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-12
• Experience - Credential
• Candidates must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to the requirements above - candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (A) Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice
• (B) Skill to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair laboratory instrumentation
• (C) Ability to develop procedures for new tests - and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations
• (D) Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section
• (E) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training
• (F) Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians - nurses - and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing - specimen requirements and results
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring standing - walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center
• The work involves manual dexterity - visual acuity - and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time
• Requires intermittent moderate lifting 915-44 pounds)
• light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• use fingers
• both hands required
• intermittent - but possible prolonged stooping and kneeling
• ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens
• ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens - ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise
• working closely with others
• high cognitive function required to work in a fast paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy
• emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.

• Duties include but are not limited to: Independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory
• Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis
• prepares specimens for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• assigns priority to test requests and executes them expeditiously for use in critical care situations Develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements
• 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
• 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 as appropriate course of action
• 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
• Provides direction - work review - and job training to students and less experienced CLS's
• Works effectively with both laboratory and non-laboratory staff to clearly convey malfunctioning problem to outside service representative and competently follow instruction for instrument repair
• Works on weekend - holiday - or irregular shifts or in other sections to provide laboratory coverage for routine or emergency procedures as needed or directed by management
• Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 7:45 am - 4:30 pm 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.
• 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) 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 # 61099F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized