Summary

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 4 months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (1 to 5years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

***This is an open continuous announcement until June 30 - 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. ***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 (1)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
• 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. § 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
• Failure to Obtain Certification
• In all cases - CLSs must actively work to meet requirements for certification starting from the date of their placement into the occupation
• At the time of appointment - the Human Resources(HR) Office staff - in collaboration with the supervisor - will provide the employee with the written requirements for certification - including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline
• Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in separation from employment
• Loss of Credential
• If an employee fails to maintain the required certification - management officials - in collaboration with HR Office staff must immediately remove the employee from duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation
• This may also result in separation from employment
• If a CLS currently has - or ever had - their CLS certification revoked suspended - denied - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status - HR Office staff must appoint them according to the provisions in VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section B - paragraph 16
• 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
• 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-07
• (1)Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2)Assignment
• Employee at this level serves in a CLS entry-level position
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily direct supervision
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09
• (1)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
• OR (b)Education
• Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science
• AND Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a)Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
• (b)Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles
• (c)Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance
• (d)Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments
• (e)Ability to read and interpret written instructions
• (f)Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of testing
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11
• (1)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
• AND 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is 11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 7 to 11
• 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.

Duties

• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation
• In addition - performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures
• recognizes deviation from expected results
• analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Implements policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
• Accurately performs pre-analytical - analytical and post-analytical phases of testing
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements
• Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace
• Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions
• 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
• Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment - method comparison - and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge
• Interprets findings and makes recommendations
• 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: 3:30 PM -11:30 PM M-F and rotate weekends and holidays
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 60351A -56497A -56496A EDRP Authorized: Authorized