Clinical Laboratory Scientist Generalist

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

This position is located in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center.

Duties includes but are not limited to:

• Independently performs complex routine and specialized testing across multiple laboratory disciplines (chemistry microbiology immunology hematology immunohematology) using both automated and manual methods.
• Develops performs evaluates interprets correlates and validates laboratory procedures and results in alignment with current regulatory requirements.
• Conducts quality control proficiency checks calibrations and routine instrument maintenance; identifies irregularities documents findings and resolves or escalates issues as appropriate.
• Applies advanced technical judgment to assess the validity of test results correlate abnormal data with potential pathological conditions and determine when additional testing is required.
• Performs troubleshooting and advanced maintenance on laboratory instruments and analyzers documenting corrective actions and coordinating service when needed.
• Completes testing on a wide variety of biological specimens and environmental samples ensuring accuracy precision and compliance with laboratory protocols.
• Serves in specialized roles such as laboratory safety officer analyzer specialist primary operator for new test systems quality control specialist supply coordinator or competency/proficiency program lead.
• Participates in limited lab informatics activities including data flow support LIS processes and ancillary testing oversight.
• Organizes workload set priorities and makes technical decisions with broad independent judgment and with minimal supervision.
• Assesses complex situations evaluates options and determines appropriate courses of action to maintain workflow and result accuracy..
• Monitors quality systems identifies trends or deviations and initiates or recommends performance improvement measures.
• Collaborates with healthcare providers in the diagnostic process by delivering accurate timely laboratory data and communicating critical or clinically significant results.
• Provides education and guidance to laboratory personnel trainees healthcare staff and the public in a professional and effective manner.
• Performs accessioning specimen collection and ensures proper handling and processing of samples.
• Ensures reflex testing and follow-up procedures are completed in accordance with established protocols.
• Maintains complete documentation and records as required for regulatory compliance patient care and lab accreditation standards.
• Participates in continuous improvement activities by documenting errors and supportive corrective actions.
• Provides dependable bench coverage until relieved and supports laboratory operations across shifts weekends and holidays as needed.
• Performs Contracting Officers Representative and fund control point duties as assigned.
• Executes other duties as assigned to support laboratory operations regulatory compliance and patient care.

• 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.

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 bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification. Candidates must meet one of the certification options below:
  • Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
  • Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
  • 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed the following provisions apply.
• 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:
  • 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
  • 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 above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.
• Physical Requirements. For more information on this qualification standard please visit Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f).

• 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.
• Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • 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.
• Assignment: This is considered FPL for a CLS. A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The CLS develops performs evaluates interprets correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements. The work performed may be in 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 the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states determines the validity of test results and the need for additional tests. Specific 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. This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing. These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. T

• Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:
  • Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR
  • Masters degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.
• Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing.
  • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
  • Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
  • Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
  • Ability to read and interpret written instructions.
  • Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical analytical and post-analytical phases of testing.
• Assignment. An individual at this grade level serves as a developmental CLS. The CLS is responsible for evaluating performing interpreting and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. The CLS demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods. This includes routine testing quality control routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting that applies innovative procedures and problem solving. Deviations from regular procedures unanticipated problems and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance. Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level. It is expected that a CLS at this grade performs more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the entry level

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• 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.