Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, ME

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is in Pathology and Lab Services at the VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, Maine. This is an intermittent position with a varying schedule. The selected candidate may be appointed at GS 7 through GS 11; GS 11 is the full performance level. At GS 7, the employee serves in an entry-level role with daily direct supervision. At GS 9, the employee serves in a developmental role, performing more complex work with less frequent supervision. At GS 11, the employee independently carries out day-to-day laboratory operations with minimal technical supervision.

The CLS develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates laboratory procedures and results in accordance with current laboratory regulatory requirements. Work may span chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology, and may involve biological specimens or environmental samples tested by manual or automated methods. The position includes quality control, routine instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, assessment of abnormal laboratory data, and determining test-result validity and whether additional testing is needed. The employee exercises independent judgment, organizes and prioritizes work, monitors quality-control systems, supports diagnosis and treatment, and provides education to laboratory health care professionals and the public.

The position is not authorized for telework, virtual work, a compressed or flexible schedule, relocation incentives, or permanent change of station. It is in the Excepted Service and is not in a bargaining unit. A special salary rate applies. Employment is subject to applicable federal hiring, security, credentialing, physical evaluation, and influenza vaccination requirements. Non-certified candidates may qualify for a temporary appointment while working toward certification, subject to the stated VA requirements and time limit.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet an accepted certification option: MLS generalist certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; MT generalist certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or an applicable ASCP or AMT categorical or specialist certification. The posting describes an exception under which eligible non-certified applicants may work toward certification, subject to VA requirements.
• For GS 9: one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS 7, or a master's degree or two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.
• For GS 11: one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS 9, 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.
• For GS 9, demonstrate knowledge of clinical laboratory testing policies and procedures, quality control and assurance, and laboratory equipment and routine maintenance; ability to work as a team member, complete assignments, interpret written instructions, and accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical testing phases.
• For GS 11, demonstrate knowledge of clinical laboratory science principles and practices, quality control and assurance, performance improvement, informatics, laboratory data flow and processes; ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instruments, independently analyze and interpret laboratory results, apply complex written instructions, and communicate with health care team members, external contacts, customers, and patients.
• Submit a transcript if education is used to qualify; foreign education requires the stated equivalency documentation.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, which may include drug testing, Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959, background/security investigation, online onboarding and acceptable identification, physical evaluation, credentialing, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as specified for the appointment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate laboratory procedures and results in accordance with current regulatory requirements.
• Perform testing across laboratory specialties, including chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology.
• Test biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods.
• Conduct quality control, routine instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Correlate abnormal laboratory data with pathological states, determine the validity of test results, and determine whether additional tests are needed.
• Organize and prioritize work, assess situations, consider options, and formulate appropriate courses of action with minimal technical supervision at the full performance level.
• Monitor quality-control systems and measures.
• Collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
• Provide education to laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.
• Depending on assignment, support laboratory safety, analyzer specialization, operation of new test systems, quality control, supply control, competency assessment, proficiency or survey programs, laboratory information management, or ancillary testing.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on the position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level