Clinical Laboratory Scientist

The Clinical Laboratory Specialist position is located in the Microbiology section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service. Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs specimen processing TB/mycology molecular bacteriology and serology
• Performing QA/QC inventory management manual and automated testing and maintenance.
• Training of new employees and students.
• Performing a broad range of standard advanced and complex laboratory procedures.
• Evaluating and solving problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens understanding specimen requirements and accounting for physiologic processes that may affect specimen analysis.
• Maintaining laboratory equipment and documenting maintenance according to laboratory policies and procedures.
• Adhering to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.
• Ensuring compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as CAP FDA NEO JC AABB and OSHA.
• Communicating effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member.
• Performing additional duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 3:00 am - 11:30 am rotating weekends and holidays
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact for questions/assistance. Learn more
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.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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. NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director) GS-15 requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment 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 below 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 for the GS-9 and GS-11 grade levels. Certification MUST be submitted at time of application.
(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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist GS-7.
Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist GS-9.
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
Education. Masters degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.
AND
Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing.(b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.(c) Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.(d) Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.(e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions.(f) Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical analytical and post-analytical phases of testing.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist GS-11.
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 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.
AND
Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles practices concepts and theories that support sound independent work.(b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement.(c) Skill in informatics laboratory data flow and laboratory processes.(d) Ability to maintain troubleshoot and repair instrumentation.(e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.(f) Ability to read interpret and apply complex written instructions.(g) Ability to communicate consult and interact with other members of the health care team external relations customer service and patient education.

Preferred Experience: Experience with bacteriology molecular serology mycology and mycobateriology.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.