Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Hot Springs, SD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

The incumbent serves as a generalist in Clinical Laboratory Science with responsibility for performing procedures in the areas of Specimen Collection, Chemistry, Hematology/Coagulation, Urinalysis, Immunohematology, and Microbiology. The generalist medical technologist rotates with other generalists on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areas. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:
- Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member, even under difficult conditions, fostering a professional, courteous, and effective manner of communication appropriate to the situation, including giving general direction and guidance. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others).
- Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiological state of the specimen properties is maintained.
- Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections.
- Performs quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports.
- Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Reviews completed work for clerical errors and unusual or unlikely results.
- Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results.
- Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly.
- Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below. (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. (c) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT. NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer).
• Exception for Non-Certified. (a) Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency. (b) Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). (c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL. (d) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (e) Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.
• Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: (1) Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency, and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program. OR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination. NOTE: Possession of a certification identified above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07. (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09. (1) Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (a) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR (b) Education. Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science. (2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing. (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles. (c) Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance. (d) Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. (e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions. (f) Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11. (1) Experience or Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (a) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR (b) Education. Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science. (2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work. (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement. (c) Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes. (d) Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation. (e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. (f) Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions. (g) Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11.

Responsibilities

• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member, even under difficult conditions, fostering a professional, courteous, and effective manner of communication appropriate to the situation, including giving general direction and guidance. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others).
• Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiological state of the specimen properties is maintained.
• Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections.
• Performs quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports.
• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs. Reviews completed work for clerical errors and unusual or unlikely results.
• Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results.
• Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly.
• Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)
• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

What This Job Offers

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