Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Core Laboratory

Veterans Health Administration • New Orleans, LA

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist – Core Laboratory performs advanced and complex laboratory testing across core laboratory sections, including hematology/coagulation, chemistry, toxicology, urinalysis, and clinical microscopy. Work includes testing, result reporting and documentation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and related clinical laboratory science tasks. The incumbent maintains competency in at least one laboratory section—Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, or Microbiology/Molecular—and performs testing as assigned.

The position receives, accessions, and processes samples from hospital departments and outlying clinics according to standard operating procedures (SOPs). The scientist reviews orders, results, and other patient information in the electronic medical record (EMR), enters results and other relevant information, prioritizes work to meet deadlines, evaluates specimen suitability, and verifies and promptly reports results. Critical or panic values and significant results must be communicated and documented according to laboratory policy.

The position is full performance level GS-11; applicants may be selected at GS-07 through GS-11. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with rotating weekends and holidays as needed for clinical coverage. The schedule may change based on facility needs. This is an onsite, non-virtual position in an office/clinic environment. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Applicants must meet VA citizenship, education, and certification requirements, subject to the stated exceptions for eligible non-certified applicants. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution is required, along with an accepted generalist, categorical, or specialist certification, or eligibility under the specified exception. Grade-level qualifications vary, with experience or graduate education requirements for GS-09 and GS-11.

The position may require a pre-employment drug test, background/security investigation, physical evaluation, influenza vaccination, and service of a one- or two-year trial period. Physical duties may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. Personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing may be required. The work environment has minimal risks and normal safety precautions, but may involve multiple tasks and stressful situations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet an accepted certification option: generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or an applicable categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT. Categorical and specialist certifications are restricted to relevant sections or assignments.
• Eligible non-certified applicants may qualify through one of the specified routes to sit for the MLS certification exam; non-certified employees may be appointed only at entry level, must work toward certification, and must work under supervision of a certified CLS at or above the full performance level.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-09, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, 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-09, knowledge of clinical laboratory testing policies and procedures; laboratory quality control and assurance; laboratory equipment and routine maintenance; and 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, 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.
• For GS-11, knowledge of clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories; quality control, quality assurance, and performance improvement; informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes; and ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation, exercise independent technical judgment in analyzing and interpreting results, apply complex written instructions, and communicate and consult with healthcare team members, external relations, customer service, and patient education.
• Complete applicable pre-employment screening and onboarding requirements, including background/security investigation and physical evaluation; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and meet any applicable TB screening or testing requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as determined for the appointment.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Laboratory Science.
• ASCP certification as MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP).
• Two years of experience in a diagnostic chemistry laboratory, hematology laboratory, or core laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced and complex hematology and coagulation procedures, including assisting providers with bone marrow retrieval and slide preparation, hemoglobin A1C testing, special coagulation testing, and flow cytometry.
• Perform chemistry testing, including routine chemistry, immunoassay, osmolarity, STAT HIV exposure needle-stick profiles, and urinalysis with automated and manual microscopic examination.
• Perform laboratory procedures and testing in routine and special chemistry, toxicology, urinalysis, and clinical microscopy.
• Complete laboratory testing, reporting, documentation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and other clinical laboratory science tasks.
• Maintain competency in at least one laboratory section—Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, or Microbiology/Molecular—and perform assigned testing.
• Receive, accession, and process samples from hospital areas and outlying clinics according to SOPs.
• Review orders, results, and relevant patient information in the EMR, and enter results and other relevant information into the EMR.
• Organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines.
• Follow SOPs to ensure laboratory result accuracy.
• Evaluate specimen quality and suitability for the required laboratory testing.
• Verify and promptly report results, and communicate and document critical or panic values and significant results according to laboratory policy.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility limits.
• 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.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and approval; award amount may be up to $200,000 over one to five years.

What This Job Offers

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