Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Fayetteville, NC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist serves in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center or assigned satellite testing sites. The role may cover specialties including chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology (Blood Bank). The scientist tests biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods, conducts quality control and routine instrument maintenance, troubleshoots equipment, evaluates the validity of results, correlates abnormal laboratory data with pathological states, and determines whether additional testing is needed. Targeted responsibilities or projects may include serving as a laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator for new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control lead, or coordinator for competency assessment or proficiency programs.

The position is full performance level GS-11. It requires a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university and qualifying certification or eligibility to pursue certification under an applicable exception. Applicants must also meet the specified GS-11 experience or education criteria and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. The role is not virtual, and telework is unavailable. The position has a Monday-through-Friday overnight schedule with rotating weekends and holidays.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet one of the specified certification options: 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. A non-certified applicant may qualify under the stated exception if eligible to take an MLS certification examination and actively working toward certification.
• For GS-11, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, 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 professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient to support sound, independent work.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and performance-improvement principles.
• Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
• Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.
• Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with healthcare team members and external contacts, and provide customer service and patient education.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Complete required onboarding, background/security investigation, and pre-employment physical evaluation; comply with required drug testing and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate specimen suitability, request replacement specimens when necessary, and prepare specimens while preserving their physiological properties.
• Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor laboratory procedures using manual or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols.
• Recognize indicators of instrument malfunction, identify causes of common problems, implement corrections, and make simple repairs.
• Conduct quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products, and maintain quality control records.
• Calibrate, standardize, adjust, and maintain instruments; verify correct operation through established procedures and quality checks.
• Maintain quality-control, maintenance, and corrective-action logs; perform instrument correlations, reagent and control validations, and other procedures required for laboratory compliance.
• Evaluate data validity in relation to the test system and assay procedures, and correlate quantitative results with patient history and medications.
• Generate, edit, review, and verify laboratory results in the Laboratory Information System (LIS), including manually entered results.
• Perform additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results; report results requiring immediate physician attention.
• Track missing samples and tubes and follow protocols for reordering tests with appropriate documentation.
• Perform proficiency surveys, linearity studies, and other intra-laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Benefits

• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment for qualifying birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility conditions.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience.

What This Job Offers

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