Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Clarksburg, WV

21h • Onsite

About The Position

A Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), or Medical Technologist (MT) performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates laboratory procedures and results. The role involves testing a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, with a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility and minimal technical supervision.

The full performance level is GS-11, and the vacancy may be filled at GS-07 through GS-11. At GS-07, the employee is entry level and receives daily direct supervision. At GS-09, the employee performs developmental work with increasing scope and complexity and less frequent supervision. At GS-11, the employee independently carries out day-to-day laboratory operations, including testing, quality control, instrument maintenance, troubleshooting, result interpretation, and validation. Work may cover specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology, and may include targeted duties or projects such as laboratory safety, analyzer specialization, new test systems, quality control, supply control, competency assessment, or proficiency programs.

The position's schedule is 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., working eight days on and six days off. Telework is unavailable; this is not a virtual position. Relocation, recruitment incentives, EDRP, and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• A 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, subject to the stated restrictions for generalist positions and unrelated laboratory sections.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-09, either one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-07 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 principles; 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, either one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09 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; skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes; and ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
• For GS-11, ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results, read and apply complex written instructions, and communicate, consult, and interact with healthcare team members, external relations, customers, and patients.
• Applicants must satisfy applicable education and certification or licensure requirements before hire; applicants awaiting completion may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until requirements are met.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, drug screening for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, pre-employment physical examination, required onboarding, and influenza vaccination program participation.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Complete all application requirements specified in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated and requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Education used to qualify must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and resolve problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens, considering physiologic processes and requirements.
• Maintain and document optimal laboratory equipment function; calibrate, identify malfunctions, repair, and perform preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Diagnose deviations in test performance caused by instrument malfunction.
• Perform and document quality control, quality improvement, critical callback communications, and corrective actions using statistical principles and performance-improvement theories.
• Follow workplace biosafety and biosecurity practices and regulations.
• Identify discrepancies, solve problems, and present solutions.
• Answer inquiries about test results, methodology, specificity, sensitivity, and factors influencing results.
• Interpret results and identify when repeat testing or specimen recollection is needed.
• Assist with evaluating and implementing new laboratory techniques and procedures, including equipment assessment, method comparison, and establishing reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge.
• Instruct and train new employees and students and contribute to the laboratory's in-service and continuing education program.
• Communicate effectively and courteously as a healthcare team member and provide service to peers, healthcare providers, patients, and others.
• Organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines and departmental testing-turnaround-time policies.
• Develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate laboratory procedures and results in accordance with current regulatory requirements.
• Correlate abnormal laboratory data with pathological states, determine test-result validity, and determine the need for additional tests.
• Monitor quality-control systems and measures, collaborate in patient diagnosis and treatment, and provide education to laboratory health professionals and the public.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; benefit eligibility depends on position type.
• Selected applicants may request prior work or military service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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