Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical)

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional


Duties include but not limited to:

Some of these duties include but are not limited to the following:

• The medical technologist rotates in any of the above-mentioned work assignments. He or She also works off-hour shifts weekends and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need. The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Technologist include but are not limited to the following:
• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician addition performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering 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.
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratorys in-service/continuing education program.
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines.

Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Education. A bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
  • 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.
• 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
• Grandfathering Provision. Employees 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. 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).

• Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) which is directly related to the position to be filled. This is required for all GS-12 assignments. Examples of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11): Develops performs evaluates interprets correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements; Performs 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 addition to routine testing conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting; Correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states determines the validity of test results and the need for additional tests; Performs 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.
• KSAs: And the candidate must demonstrate ALL of the following knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs) should be reflected within your resume or on a separate document:

• (A)Knowledge and understanding of concepts principles methodology of medical laboratory technology regulatory and accrediting agency requirements medico-legal requirements and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.
• (B)Knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired clinical laboratory scientists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of laboratory procedures.
• (C)Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions.
• (D)Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
• (E)Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory.
• (F)Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section.

• Five-year creditable Clinical Coagulation/Bone Marrow experience.
• Experience developing standard operating procedures.
• Ability to troubleshoot issues with instrumentation without supervision.
• Experience in developing method validations.
• Experience instructing new employees and students.
• 2 years of experience as section or lab safety officer.