Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) Microbiology

• 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.

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.
• 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 Technical Specialist 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).

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 basic requirements above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.

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).

GS-12 Grade Determinations:

Specialized Experience. Must have 1 year of creditable specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). which is directly related to the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11): Develops performs evaluates interprets correlates and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements; Performs 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 conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting; Correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states determines the validity of test results and the need for additional tests; Performs 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.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(1) Knowledge of concepts principles methodology of medical laboratory technology regulatory and accrediting agency requirements medico-legal requirements and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.
(2) 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.
(3) Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions.
(4) Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
(5) Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory.
(6) 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 and 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience & Knowledge in the following clinical laboratory testing area:
  • Microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Molecular
  • Serology
• Experience in a Leadership role.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

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