Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) Chemistry
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Job Location:
Phoenix, NM - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 122644 - 159444
Posted on:
22 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Summary
The VISN 22 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PALMS) is looking for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) for the Carl T Hayden VA Healthcare System Chemistry department.
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until February 18 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred at regular intervals or as vacancies become available. This announcement can be taken down at any time.
The incumbent is able to exercise independent judgement within the scope of testing and will perform high-level duties of significant scope complexity and range of variety at least 25% of the time while under supervisory review.
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for 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 your start date. Program approval award amount (up to $200000) 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. Former participants are ineligible to apply for the EDRP incentive. Contact for questions or
assistance.
Duties include but not limited to:
- Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult complex unique and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge in the fields of clinical chemistry.
- Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the chemistry work area. Recommends new/replacement instrumentation.
- Designs work flow to accomplish objectives in the chemistry work area.
- Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses.
- Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed.
- Identifies defines and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists.
- Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing.
- Applies laws policies precedents regulatory licensing and accrediting requirements to establish monitor and maintain the specialized testing.
- Maintains process control in a specialty area through a multifaceted quality assurance program.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Virtual: No
Functional Statement #: 000000
Telework: No
Remote: No
Financial Disclosure: Not required
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.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
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.
- 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
- Candidates must meet one of the certification options below.
- 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 Certification above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.
Grade Determinations:
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) GS-12
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.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(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 diagnostics 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 for new test 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.
Assignments: For all Clinical Laboratory Scientist Technical Specialist assignments the individual must spend at least 25% or more of their time performing major duties above those at the full performance level that consist of significant scope complexity difficulty and variety. The CLS serves as a Technical Specialist providing expert authoritative advice an consultation for more markedly difficult complex unique and or/emerging tests that require special knowledge. Examples include but are not limited to molecular pathology gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy and flow cytometry. The CLS advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. The CLS advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses and analyzes emerging trends and technology to adopt appropriate methods and testing. The CLS develops policies precedents regulatory licensing and accrediting requirements to establish monitor and maintain the specialized testing. The CLS assumes responsibility for training and competency assessment of staff and students within the area assigned. The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for 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 your start date. Program approval award amount (up to $200000) 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. Former participants are ineligible to apply for the EDRP incentive. Contact for questions or
assistance.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges universities schools or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information visit: information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01 VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e. medical religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
IC
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