Clinical Lab Scientist

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements.
• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the clinical laboratory addition performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles.
• Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement.
• Calibrates standardizes adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction.
• Evaluates 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.
• Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal and critical 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.
• Follows established guidelines for performance of all testing to include proficiency testing.
• Communicates effectively and courteously with medical center staff (health professionals and administrative staff) outside facilities and patients in a professional manner. Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing. Keeps supervisors abreast of any problems or concerns vital to the operation of the laboratory.
• Maintains competency in phlebotomy.
• 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.

• 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 identification 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.

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 bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university. NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director) GS-15 requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below.
• 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.
• NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including Ancillary Testing Coordinator Education Coordinator Laboratory Information Manager Quality Manager Laboratory Manager Regional Technical Specialist National Quality and Compliance Agent Regional Program Manager Regional Director Laboratory Director or National Quality and Compliance Officer).
• (2) 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.
• (3) 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.
• (4) 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.
• (5) 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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f).