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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 1 month ago

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Fargo, ND

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid, Senior Level

$54K/yr - $99K/yr

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is committed to providing exceptional health care that improves the health and well-being of America's Veterans. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist position involves receiving and analyzing laboratory specimens, performing quality control, and ensuring accurate reporting of test results while maintaining effective communication within the healthcare team.

GovernmentMedicalNational SecurityPublic Safety

Comp. & Benefits

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Receives all requests and specimens for testing into the laboratory

Assigns priority to test requests and executes them expeditiously for use in critical are situations

Performs steps of analysis for a full range of standard - and routine tests including instrument maintenance and performance checks

Identifies and documents instrument malfunctions and/or unacceptable test system performance by analyzing and interpreting instrument function checks - calibration data - and quality control data

Investigates problems/incompatibilities to determine the appropriate solution when departure from normal operating procedures is required in conjunction with more experienced staff as needed

Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions on equipment - reagents - and products and maintains proper records for quality control/assurance reports

Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system

Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member - even under difficult conditions - fostering a professional - courteous - and effective manner of communication appropriate to the situation - escalate as needed

Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - and specific factors - which influence test results

Qualification

MLS certificationMT certificationLaboratory quality controlLaboratory equipment maintenanceMedical technology educationClinical laboratory science knowledgeAnalytical skillsTeamworkCommunication skills

Required

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

Certification: 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 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: 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

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)

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

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

English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f)

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: 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

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

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

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS7 to GS11

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination