Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Evening/Night)

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.

• 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
• Must meet one (1) of the certification options below - given by American Society for Clinical Pathology(ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) or American Medical Technologists (AMT): Certification as an Medical Laboratory Scientist
• Certification as an Medical Technologist
• Categorical certification or Specialist certification
• Exception for Non-Certified
• (a) Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of 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
• (b) 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. A 7405(c)(2)
• (c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL
• (d) Non-Certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• (e) 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
• GS-12 Experience
• One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice
• Skill to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair laboratory instrumentation
• Ability to develop procedures for new tests - and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations
• Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section
• Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Laboratory Generalist
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs. - straight pulling - pushing - reaching above the shoulder - use of fingers and both hands - walking - standing for up to 4 hours - kneeling - repeated bending - use of both arms and legs
• Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes - depth perception - ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors - hearing (aids permitted) - clear - high cognitive function and emotional stability
• ability to read ordinary type without strain.

• VA offers a Comprehensive Total Rewards package: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
• This position is located at VA Eastern Colorado Health Care | Veterans Affairs at the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service
• The incumbent performs a wide variety of laboratory tests on blood - stool - tissue - urine and other body fluids
• The duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs all maintenance on several automated instruments
• Determines morning blood draw needs - prints and assigns draws per protocol
• Performs morning start up procedures on automated instruments - evaluates the results and brings any abnormalities to the attention of the supervisor or instrument service representative
• Inventories blood products and makes out order form per Blood Bank protocol
• Responsible for the status of several automated instruments for daily use
• Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimens for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• 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
• 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
• Evaluated 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
• Perform additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly
• Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system
• Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors - which influence test results
• Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member
• Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)
• Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines
• Shall conform to all VHA and local directives related to safety - life safety - health - hazardous materials and emergency management directives
• Work Schedule: Sunday to Thursday | 11:00pm to 7:00am
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact ... 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)
• 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 #: 554-60350-A
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.