Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Gainesville, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Lab Scientist works in the Microbiology section of the Clinical Laboratory, performing routine and STAT testing and ensuring that laboratory results and procedures meet regulatory requirements. The position includes quality control, routine instrument maintenance, troubleshooting, interpretation and validation of results, and correlating abnormal laboratory data with pathological states to determine result validity and whether additional testing is needed.

The scientist independently organizes and prioritizes work with minimal technical supervision, exercises judgment in assessing situations and selecting appropriate actions, monitors quality control systems, and collaborates in patient diagnosis and treatment. The role also includes educating laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner. The schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with rotational shifts that include weekends and holidays; off-hour shifts may be worked as operational needs require. This is not a virtual position. The position is at the GS-11 level.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• One of the following certifications: generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT applicable to the lab section.
• 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.
• Knowledge of clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories; laboratory quality control and quality assurance; and performance improvement.
• Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
• Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation; independently analyze and interpret laboratory results; read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions; and communicate and interact with health care team members, external relations, customers, and patients.
• Meet applicable pre-employment, background/security investigation, drug-testing, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and STAT testing in the Microbiology section of the Clinical Laboratory.
• Conduct quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation, and troubleshooting.
• Perform, evaluate, interpret, and validate laboratory procedures and results in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Correlate abnormal laboratory data with pathological states, determine result validity, and identify the need for additional tests.
• Organize and prioritize work and formulate appropriate courses of action with minimal technical supervision.
• Monitor quality control systems and measures.
• Collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
• Educate laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.
• Work rotational shifts, including weekends and holidays, and off-hour shifts when operational priorities require.

Benefits

• Eligible applicants may qualify for the Education Debt Reduction Program, with an award of up to $200,000, subject to program approval and individual eligibility.
• Federal employee benefits are available; the specific package depends on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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