This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
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: English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). 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 bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. 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 in 4c above 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: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT OR Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT OR 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 (see "Reference" note shown below for a link that provides more detail) that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency. 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: Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07. Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09. 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. Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science. GS-9 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. Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. GS-11 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Preferred Experience: One year at lower grade or equitable experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 7 to 11. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technologist occupation. Accurately performs pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing and analyze and interprets laboratory tests. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs instrumentation. Maintains complete and accurate department records. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. 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. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Shall conform to all VHA and local directives related to safety, life safety, health, hazardous materials and emergency management directives. Provides advisory services to technicians, technologists, and other healthcare professionals. Knowledgeable in laboratory regulatory requirements including Joint Commission (JC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB). Prints and reconciles pending lists. Assists in processing when needed and according to established protocols. Performs proficiency testing as assigned and according to laboratory procedures. Ensures that all VHA/lab training, standard operating procedure review, and competencies are completed within the assigned timeframes. Wears proper PPE to perform the assigned duties, and conducts work according to VHA, federal, state, and local Laboratory Safety Regulations. Serves as primary operator on new and established test systems and assumes responsibility for maintenance and troubleshooting per procedure. Prepares reagents, primary reference standards and controls as needed. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments for testing. Verifies proper operation of instruments using established quality control procedures and checks to ensure accurate test results are reported. Assists in quality control review and input of QC data into offline system for submission of peer group data and validation of new QC when assigned. Identifies the cause of instrument malfunctions and troubleshoots equipment repairs if possible. Notifies management and contacts vendor (when instructed) for needed repairs. Performs semiannual and annual checks on various instruments including pipette calibrations, linearity, method comparisons, precision, and accuracy. Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems as assigned. Assists in monitoring laboratory stock and notifies management of possible inventory shortages. Maintains laboratory in a clean and safe condition according to facility, agency, and/or accreditation requirements. Work Schedule: Varying Days, 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): No Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vha.elrsprogramsupport@va.gov, 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 $144,000 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 #: 60656A, 60657A, 60658A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.