Clinical Laboratory Scientist Blood Bank

Duties include but are not limited to:

This position is located in the James J. Peters VA Medical Center functioning as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) in the Blood Bank Section of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LM) with the primary responsibility to provide the patients at the medical center with testing in the areas of Immunohematology Flow Cytometry (Cell Flow) and blood donor services in support of direct patient care.

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank) at this level performs evaluates interprets correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results. The technologist will perform routine and specialized work in the Blood Bank with full technical competency independence and minimal supervision. The Blood Bank is designated by the FDA AABB and Joint Commission as a full-service laboratory. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank) is responsible for solving problems with testing instrumentation and adapting new methods or techniques to improve service. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank) is responsible for monitoring quality control systems and providing education for other laboratory and health care professionals. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank) is responsible for providing coverage to the Blood Bank 100% of the time. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank) will be scheduled to work on regular tours of duty (day) with scheduled rotations on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) holidays and on-call coverage as needed.

In general the incumbent performs blood bank and cell flow analyses of blood sample. that require specialized training and experience to obtain results for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The incumbent must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance. The incumbent must have wide latitude for exercising independent judgment. Interacts with physicians to discuss processes and regulations. Possesses an extensive knowledge of the principles techniques procedures instrumentation and safety precautions in field of medical technology. At most 10% of the time the incumbent performs duties associated with the quality control management proficiency testing program reagent/supplies inventory and performance improvement program.


Work Schedule: M-F Full-time 8am - 4:30pm with rotating weekends and holidays.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave 13 days of sick leave 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth adoption or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment full time employees with a total family income below $144000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 12221F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination or health assessment.
• 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.
• Certification. (1) Candidates must meet one of the certification options below:

1. Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
2. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
3. Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.

• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision. 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).
• 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.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f).

• 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.

• 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.