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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Education -Transcripts Submitted: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Certification-Documentation Supplied - 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. NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. 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). REFERENCE: Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard - GS-0644 Grade Determinations: Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12: Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience- (SF-50 Submitted- if applicable). 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation. Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results. Assignment. For all lead assignments, the individual must spend at least 25% or more of their time performing lead duties over staff one grade level below. The Lead CLS communicates the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values. The Lead CLS identifies, distributes, balances work, coaches, and facilitates with problem solving methods. The Lead CLS prepares reports and maintains records of work status; resolves simple, informal complaints; reports performance, progress, and training needs of the team and on behavioral problems; and provides information on promotions, reassignment, recognition of outstanding performance, and personnel needs. The Lead CLS is responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty, including assignment of work responsibilities, workload management, and completion of assignments for staff at or above the FPL as well as preparation and maintenance of records and reports, analysis of testing methodologies, training, instrumentation, and compliance. The Lead CLS may act as a liaison to the supervisor and other departments/divisions of the medical center for the appropriate laboratory specialty. Duties may include, but are not limited to, orientation and evaluating the competency of assigned staff including identification of continuing education and training needs, coordinating daily activity of the lab section(s), writing or modifying technical procedures, providing technical instruction, ensuring that policies, procedures and regulatory requirements are followed, advising on course of action to follow when results or samples obtained are unacceptable, and coordinating or performing quality control reviews and method verification activities. Preferred Experience: Previous Blood Bank experience including Therapeutic Phlebotomy Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard - GS-0644 The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 45 lbs, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands (grasping), walking, frequent standing (i.e. up to 4 hours), kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs and repetitive motion. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear high cognitive functional and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain.
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Clinical Laboratory Scientist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf The Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist assists the supervisor in technical phases of the organizational level on various aspects of specialized and routine testing including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. He/she facilitates team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks, priorities and goals are coordinated with management. He/she is assigned to the Day Shift and works weekends and holidays on a regular basis and as priorities demonstrate a need. Additionally, will serve as P&LMS time keeper on a rotational basis on weekends and holidays. The duties and responsibilities of the Blood Bank Lead Medical Technologist include but are not limited to the following: Duties/Tasks Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including testing and tasks of the clinical laboratory scientist occupation in Blood Bank. Work full time in the Transfusion Service Area, performs a broad range of Blood Bank procedures including all testing and tasks of the clinical laboratory scientist occupation. Evaluates and interprets the results to determine if the data obtained are complete and valid. Performs Quality Control and Quality Assurance data collected to identify, document and take corrective action. Prepares reagents, blood components, primary reference material, and controls: equipment preventive maintenance and troubleshooting if necessary, verifies correct instrument operation. Monitors and screens all blood component orders for appropriateness, using established criteria and requiring an understanding of disease entities and or clinical transfusion situation. Provides appropriate antigen negative blood components for infusion. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment In Blood Bank. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction in these same departments. Assists the supervisor in developing analytical methods and quality control procedures for new tests as they are introduced to the Blood Bank Department. Assists the supervisor in validating the new patches of the Blood Bank computer system. Assists the supervisor in modifying existing procedures as testing requirements change. Determines requirements for and evaluates statistical information to determine quality control parameters and establish acceptable ranges for each parameter. Participates in quality assurance efforts by identifying quality improvement indicators for Blood Bank operations. Develops a system to monitor indicators so as to effectively identify problem and/or potential problem areas. Recommends and implements corrective actions when indicated so as to improve patient care efforts of the P&LMS. Performs and reviews quality control procedures on Blood Bank instrumentation and testing reagents by designing and implementing check systems to insure accuracy of analytical systems. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions for all testing performed. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program. Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines. In the absence of the Blood Bank supervisor, assigns, directs, and reviews the work of GS-9 clinical laboratory scientist assigned to the Blood Bank Department. Prepares reports for the Blood Bank Supervisor and Administration concerning adverse events that occur on the shift. Assists supervisor in gathering information to prepare monthly Quality Assurance and Monitoring reports. The Supervisor remains responsible for all duties performed by the Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist. The clinical laboratory scientist in the Blood Bank collects blood specimen and performs Therapeutic Phlebotomy. Helps to cover the blood bank schedule. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am-4pm, rotating weekends and holidays Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD30223F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V8_EDRP_Miami@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more