Clinical Lab Scientist- Generalist

Veterans Health Administration • Miami, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Miami VA Healthcare System’s Pathology and Laboratory Service is seeking a Clinical Lab Scientist- Generalist to contribute to quality care standards and the development of a VA academic hospital program. Generalists are required to work in all sections of the Pathology and Laboratory Service. The role involves receiving and prioritizing laboratory testing requests and specimens, performing routine testing and instrument checks, evaluating test-system performance, documenting quality activities, and reporting and verifying results in the laboratory computer system. The scientist also communicates with healthcare team members and responds to inquiries about test results and methodology.

The position offers shifts from 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays. Schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor and may vary on a permanent or temporary basis according to facility and patient-care needs. Telework is not available. The full-performance level is GS-11, with selection possible from GS-07 through GS-11.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet an accepted certification option: generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or an eligible categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT. Categorical and specialist certifications are limited to relevant laboratory sections or specified non-section-specific assignments.
• For GS-09: one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-07, or a master’s degree or two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science; and the stated knowledge and abilities for that grade.
• For GS-11: one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science; and the stated knowledge and abilities for that grade.
• Demonstrate knowledge of clinical laboratory testing policies and procedures, quality control and assurance, and routine laboratory equipment maintenance, as applicable to the grade sought.
• Demonstrate the ability to work as a team member, complete assignments, read and interpret instructions, and accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical testing phases, as applicable to the grade sought.
• For GS-11, demonstrate clinical laboratory science knowledge supporting independent work; knowledge of quality and performance-improvement principles; informatics, data-flow, and laboratory-process skills; ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation; technical judgment in analyzing and interpreting results; ability to apply complex written instructions; and ability to communicate and interact with healthcare teams, external relations, customer service, and patient education.
• Pass required pre-employment screening and physical examination, complete onboarding and application-document requirements, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as determined for the appointment.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist- Generalist.

Responsibilities

• Receive laboratory testing requests and specimens.
• Assign priority to test requests and perform testing promptly for critical-care situations.
• Perform analysis for standard and routine tests, including instrument maintenance and performance checks.
• Identify and document instrument malfunctions or unacceptable test-system performance by reviewing instrument function checks, calibration data, and quality-control data.
• Investigate problems or incompatibilities and determine appropriate solutions when normal operating procedures must be varied, consulting more experienced staff as needed.
• Perform and document quality-control and quality-assurance activities and corrective actions on equipment, reagents, and products, and maintain related records.
• Generate laboratory results in the laboratory computer system and edit and verify recorded results.
• Communicate effectively and courteously as a healthcare team member, escalating concerns as needed.
• Answer inquiries regarding test results, methodology, and factors that influence results.
• Work in all sections of the Pathology and Laboratory Service.

Benefits

• Student Loan Repayment through the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility; former EDRP participants are not eligible.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual-leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term-life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level