Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Louisville, KY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist) position is in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center. The role performs a broad range of laboratory testing and tasks, including advanced and complex procedures, and uses scientific principles to identify and address deviations or problems. The position evaluates specimen suitability and processing, performs and monitors tests, maintains laboratory equipment, and documents quality control and assurance activities. It also validates and reports results, correlates laboratory data with patient information, and promptly reports abnormal results requiring physician attention. Work may rotate to another laboratory section or shift according to management’s workload and staffing needs. Various tours are available, with rotating weekends and holidays; scheduling is discussed during the interview process.

The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval. The potential award is up to $200,000 for an eligibility period of one to five years. Applicants must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. The position is not virtual or telework-eligible. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized. The full performance level is GS-11, and selection may be at GS-7 through GS-11.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, subject to the stated foreign-education evaluation requirements or applicable grandfathering provision.
• Generalist certification as an MLS through ASCP BOC or AMT, or generalist certification as an MT through ASCP BOR or AMT; categorical and specialist certifications do not qualify for a CLS Generalist position.
• Applicants without current certification may qualify through a specified route that makes them eligible to take the applicable MLS certification examination; non-certified appointments are subject to the stated temporary appointment, supervision, and certification requirements.
• For GS-09: one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, or a master's degree or two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science; also requires the specified knowledge and abilities in laboratory testing, quality systems, equipment maintenance, teamwork, interpreting instructions, and testing phases.
• For GS-11: one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science; also requires the specified knowledge and abilities in clinical laboratory science, quality systems, informatics, instrumentation, technical judgment, complex instructions, and communication with health-care stakeholders.
• GS-07 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements.
• Successful applicants must satisfy applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, required onboarding and identification documentation, and urinalysis for applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• A one- or two-year trial period is required, during which continued employment is evaluated under the stated public-interest criteria.
• Must meet the physical requirements described in the posting, including intermittent lifting and carrying, use of both hands, walking and standing, bending, possible prolonged stooping and kneeling, color and near-vision abilities, hearing, working amid constant noise and close to others, and wearing required personal protective equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine, advanced, and complex clinical laboratory procedures, including testing and tasks associated with medical laboratory technician work.
• Evaluate specimen suitability and address problems related to collection and processing; prepare specimens while preserving their relevant properties.
• Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor laboratory test procedures using manual or instrument-based methods and established protocols.
• Maintain, calibrate, standardize, adjust, troubleshoot, and perform preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment; identify malfunctions and make simple repairs.
• Conduct and document quality control and quality assurance activities, corrective actions, and performance monitoring for equipment, reagents, products, and testing.
• Evaluate the validity of test data in relation to the test system and accepted procedures; correlate quantitative results with patient data and perform additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal findings.
• Recognize abnormal results requiring immediate attention and report them directly to the physician.
• Generate laboratory results in the laboratory computer system and edit and verify results recorded in that system.
• Follow biosafety, biosecurity, and regulatory requirements, including applicable CAP and OSHA protocols.
• Rotate to another laboratory section or shift as management determines necessary based on workload and staffing requirements.

Benefits

• EDRP student loan payment reimbursement program, subject to eligibility and approval, with a potential award up to $200,000.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with 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 conditions; subsidy may cover up to 25% of eligible costs, up to the stated monthly maximum.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to prior approval.

What This Job Offers

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