Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA • Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

5d

About The Position

Serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in sections of the Laboratory for the Department of Pathology at a Military Treatment Facility. The position evaluates the validity of laboratory data in relation to assay procedures, specimen conditions, other laboratory data, and patient history; verifies and approves assay runs; and reports results under applicable quality-control procedures. The scientist determines whether additional testing is needed to establish a diagnosis and, when necessary, consults physicians. The role also supports the laboratory’s quality assurance program and ensures laboratory procedures are accurate, reproducible, and subject to quality control.

This is a Direct Hire Authority solicitation to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to competitive-service positions. The role is designated Mission Essential and Inclement Weather Essential. It requires Basic Life Support certification, immunization screening and vaccinations as applicable, tuberculosis testing, and a pre-employment physical examination with annual examinations thereafter. A background investigation and a one-year probationary period are required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship; proof of U.S. citizenship is required.
• Meet the basic education and experience requirement through one of the specified pathways: a qualifying bachelor's or higher degree and accredited medical laboratory scientist/clinical laboratory scientist program; an approved four-year course of study including 12 months of medical technology training; or a qualifying bachelor's or higher degree with specified science and mathematics coursework plus five years of acceptable full-time clinical laboratory experience.
• One year of specialized experience at the GS-09 level, including establishing quality-control methods or ranges, troubleshooting clinical analyzers when quality control is out of range, identifying and resolving inconsistent test results, and deciding whether laboratory results are valid before release; or qualifying doctoral-level graduate education; or an eligible combination of education and experience.
• Certification from ASCP, AMT, or another comparable board or registry as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/CLS).
• Obtain and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from or in accordance with the American Heart Association or American Red Cross; advanced certification does not replace BLS.
• Complete a suitability or fitness determination and background investigation.
• Complete required immunization screening, including Hepatitis B immunization for positions with direct patient contact and mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination unless exempted for medical or religious reasons; other immunizations may be required based on the position.
• Complete tuberculosis testing.
• Complete a pre-employment physical examination and annual examinations thereafter.
• Meet any applicable one-year probationary or trial-period requirements.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Foreign education used to meet qualifications must be evaluated and determined equivalent to U.S. accredited education or receive full credit from a U.S. accredited college or university.

Nice To Haves

• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and approve the validity of data in relation to assay procedures, patient specimen conditions, other laboratory data, and patient history.
• Verify and approve individual assay runs and report results according to quality-control procedures and practices.
• Determine whether additional testing is needed to establish a definitive diagnosis and confer with physicians when appropriate.
• Ensure the abnormal-result reporting program is conducted appropriately.
• Serve on the laboratory Quality Assurance team to help identify, solve, and correct laboratory deficiencies and errors.
• Ensure the accuracy, reproducibility, and quality control of laboratory procedures.
• Report to work or remain on duty as scheduled during severe weather or other emergency situations.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on the position and employment status.

What This Job Offers

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