This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.
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. English Language Proficiency: Clinical Laboratory Scientists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Chapter 2, Section D, 5a, and in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education-Transcripts submitted. A bachelor's 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: 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 the Certification requirement below automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed. Certification-Documentation Submitted. (1) 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. 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. GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Assignments. For all GS-12 assignments above the FPL, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the CLS at least 25% of the time. Candidates at this grade level are in one of the following assignments. Experience. For all GS-12 assignments above the Full Performance Level (GS-11), For all supervisory assignments, the CLS must spend 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervision and perform major duties above those at the FPL that consist of significant scope, complexity, difficulty, and variety. NOTE: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments. GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge and understanding 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 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. Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions. 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. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section. Assignment. Please see the CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD - GS-0644 for a detailed description of this assignment. Preferred Experience: Experience in flow cytometry and bone marrow examination, and/or 3+ years experience working in the clinical laboratory specialties of hematology, coagulation, body fluids, immunology and flow cytometry. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit the CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD - GS-0644. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
The assignee serves as a Technical Specialist CLS, providing expert authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests that require special knowledge in the Flow Cytometry section at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. The duties of the Technical Specialist includes but are not restricted to the following functions: The incumbent is a qualified, experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) who serves to develops, review and/or recommends changes to procedures and policy regarding the high complexity testing, quality assurance and management program in the Flow Cytometry section Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing, including appropriateness of testing that takes into consideration clinical context. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses and analyzes emerging trends and technology to adopt appropriate methods and testing. Develops policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing. Assumes responsibility for training and competency assessment of staff and students within the area assigned. Often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner. Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for markedly difficult, complex, unique, and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge including, but not limited to, bone marrow examination, genetic testing, and flow cytometry. Processes and stains peripheral blood and bone marrow specimens for Flow Cytometry. Evaluate patient samples for Leukemia/Lymphoma immunophenotyping and T-cell subsets. Performs calibrations, quality control, and maintenance procedures on all equipment in the Flow Cytometry Lab. Prepares and manages all reagent and antibody inventory; order supplies as needed. Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the Flow Cytometry area. Recommends new/replacement instrumentation. Designs workflow to accomplish objectives in the flow cytometry section. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing, including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. Serves as consultant and advisor to hematology/oncology, primary and attending physicians, as well as administrative staff, medical, and laboratory personnel. Performs additional duties as needed in the Hematology Section. Complies with established laboratory and hospital policies for standard universal precautions and safety procedures. Responds to all national accreditation agencies, VHA Clinical Laboratory Scientist (National Quality and Compliance Agent), National and VISN inquiries, surveys, and questionnaires as requested. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. The tour of duty covers the first shift of a busy medium sized 24 hour Hospital Laboratory and weekends/extended hours coverage based on facility needs. 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 Jamie Wunsch at V8_EDRP_Orlando@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 82399F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized