Clinical Laboratory Scientist GS 0644-09

Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA•Augusta, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves in the Blood Bank (Transfusion Services) as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. The role requires knowledge of clinical theory and the ability to perform routine and advanced procedures including ABO/Rh typing, antibody screening, antibody identification, antibody elution studies, RBC antigen typing, direct antiglobulin testing, and crossmatching. Testing is performed using both manual and automated methods. Critical thinking skills are essential for troubleshooting instrument performance and working up complex antibody identifications. The position also requires knowledge of regulatory agencies such as FDA, AABB, CAP, and TJC and how their standards relate to Transfusion Service operations. Additionally, the role involves performing routine and highly complex laboratory procedures in areas such as Immunology/Serology, Hematology, Coagulation, Microbiology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Phlebotomy, Genetics, and Blood Bank. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist may also modify clinical laboratory methods or techniques as needed, maintain quality control and quality assurance procedures, oversee the performance of laboratory procedures by subordinate personnel, and perform troubleshooting, operation, and maintenance of analytical instrumentation.

Requirements

AMT or ASCP certification as a Medical Technologist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science, chemistry and mathematics, AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
At least a full 4-year course of study that included 12 months in a college or hospital-based medical technology program or medical technology school approved by a recognized accrediting organization. The professional medical technology curriculum may have consisted of a 1-year post- bachelor's certificate program or the last 1 or 2 years of a 4-year program of study culminating in a bachelor's in medical technology.
A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from an accredited college/university that included 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND five years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, microbiology, Immunology and Urinalysis/Body Fluids.
All science and mathematics courses must have been acceptable for credit toward meeting the requirements for a science major at an accredited college or university.
Acceptable experience is responsible professional or technician experience in a hospital laboratory, health agency, industrial medical laboratory, or pharmaceutical house; or teaching, test development, or medical research program experience that provided an understanding of the methods and techniques applied in performing professional clinical laboratory work.
Certification/licensure as a medical technologist (generalist) obtained through written examination by a nationally recognized credentialing agency or State licensing body is a good indication that the quality of experience is acceptable.
One year of specialized experience which includes: (1) Manual differential cell counting, Red Blood Cell/White Blood Cell morphology analysis, and hemostasis troubleshooting; and (2) calibrating or maintaining clinical laboratory instruments for the analysis of metabolic panels, enzymes, and electrolytes.
Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: medical technology, chemistry, biology or education that is directly related to the position.

Nice To Haves

Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

Serves in the Blood Bank (Transfusion Services) as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
Must have knowledge of clinical theory and the ability to perform routine and advanced procedures that include but are not limited to: ABO/Rh typing, antibody screening, antibody identification, antibody elution studies, RBC antigen typing, direct antiglobulin testing and crossmatching.
Testing is performed by both manual and automated methods.
Critical thinking skills are required when troubleshooting instrument performance and when working up complex antibody identification.
Knowledge of the following regulatory agencies and how their Standards relate to Transfusion Service operation: FDA, AABB, CAP, and TJC.
Perform routine and highly complex laboratory procedures in the areas that may include Immunology/Serology, Hematology, Coagulation, Microbiology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Phlebotomy, Genetics and Blood Bank.
Modify clinical laboratory methods or techniques as needed.
Maintain quality control and quality assurance procedures in the section.
Oversee the performance of laboratory procedures by subordinate laboratory personnel.
Perform troubleshooting, operation and maintenance of analytical instrumentation.