Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Description:

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements. The work performed is in a variety of laboratory disciplines, including but not limited to chemistry, blood bank, immunology, hematology, urinalysis, serology, coagulation, and microbiology including subspecialties in parasitology, and mycobacteriology.

Requirements:

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.
    • 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 the routes 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 be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
• English Language Proficiency . Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 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).

Grade Determinations :

GS-07

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

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.
• In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing.
  • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
  • Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
  • Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
  • Ability to read and interpret written instructions.
  • Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.

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.
• 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum 3 years experience as a Generalist.
• Minimum 2 years Blood Bank experience.
• General knowledge in performing validations.
• ASCP or AMT Certification.

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:

• Moderate Lifting, 15-44 pounds
• Moderate Carrying, 15-44 pounds
• Straight Pulling, .5 hours
• Pushing, .5 hours
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers, 8 hours
• Both hands required
• Walking, 4.0 hours
• Standing, 4.0 hours
• Repeated bending, .25 hours
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Sitting, 4 hours
• Mental & Emotional Stability