U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 11 hours ago
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) - Blood Bank
Los Angeles, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$132K/yr - $171K/yr
1+ years expU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank Technical Specialist) for the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System. The role involves providing expert advice and consultation for complex tests in transfusion medicine and blood banking, as well as managing workflow and quality assurance in the blood bank work area.
GovernmentMedicalNational SecurityPublic Safety
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult - complex - unique - and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge in the fields of transfusion medicine - blood bank and coagulation
Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the blood bank work area
Recommends new/replacement instrumentation
Designs work flow to accomplish objectives in the blood bank work area
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
Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed
Identifies - defines - and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists
Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing
Applies laws - policies - precedents - regulatory - licensing - and accrediting requirements to establish - monitor - and maintain the specialized testing
Maintains process control in a specialty area through a multifaceted quality assurance program
Performs other related duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English
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)
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
Possession of a certification identified in 'Certification' 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)
Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) GS-12 Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) which is directly related to the position to be filled
This is required for all GS-12 assignments
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 methods
In 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: (A) 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
(B) 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
(C) Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions
(D) 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
(E) Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory
(F) Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a 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
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
Company
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