Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Third Shift

Veterans Health Administration • Cleveland, OH

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) works evening/night shifts in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. The CLS develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates laboratory procedures and results in accordance with current regulatory requirements. Testing is performed on varied biological specimens using manual and automated methods.

The CLS applies clinical laboratory science principles and quality assurance practices to perform routine and specialized testing, monitor test systems and equipment, interpret results, document quality and maintenance activities, and troubleshoot problems. The position may also involve assisting with instrument and procedure verification and maintaining laboratory procedure manuals when assigned.

This is an onsite, non-virtual position scheduled for 12:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., including rotating weekends and holidays. The full-performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-7 through GS-11. The work involves standing, walking, sitting at a microscope or computer, manual dexterity and visual tasks, intermittent lifting and carrying, and work in a noisy, fast-paced laboratory environment with competing priorities.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet an eligible certification route: generalist MLS certification through ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification through ASCP BOR or AMT; or an applicable categorical or specialist certification through ASCP or AMT.
• Non-certified applicants must meet an identified eligibility route to take the MLS certification examination; non-certified employees may work only under the specified supervision and appointment conditions.
• 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-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.
• Meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities applicable to the selected grade, including laboratory testing policies and procedures, quality control and assurance, equipment maintenance, teamwork, interpretation of instructions, and accurate testing across pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases.
• For GS-11, demonstrate clinical laboratory science knowledge supporting independent work; quality control, assurance, and performance improvement knowledge; laboratory informatics and process skills; instrumentation maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair ability; independent result interpretation; ability to apply complex instructions; and communication and consultation skills.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet VA pre-employment conditions, including applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, onboarding and identification requirements, seasonal influenza vaccination, and the required trial period.
• Meet the physical requirements, including regular standing and walking, manual dexterity and visual abilities, intermittent moderate lifting (15–50 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), and ability to work amid constant noise and competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor routine and specialized tests across laboratory disciplines using manual or instrument-based methods and established protocols.
• Recognize instrument or test-system malfunctions, identify and implement corrective actions, and notify the Lead Medical Technologist or supervisor when issues cannot be resolved promptly.
• Conduct quality-control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintain quality-control records.
• Document activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Retrieve control data from equipment or logs for submission to inter-laboratory comparison programs.
• Use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
• Interpret and apply complex written instructions and follow laboratory policies when test systems do not meet performance levels.
• Document corrective actions when test systems deviate from established performance specifications.
• Assist in developing and verifying protocols for new instruments and procedures.
• Revise, create, or maintain the section procedure manual when assigned, following CAP, CLIA, and CLSI guidelines.
• Calibrate, standardize, adjust, and maintain instruments with assistance.
• Verify instrument operation using established procedures and quality-control checks, with assistance.
• Identify causes of common problems and make simple repairs, with assistance.
• Notify the supervisor or Lead CLS before reagents, controls, calibrators, and other supplies reach predetermined depletion levels.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income, child-eligibility, and monthly maximum 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 can be carried into retirement.
• Regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

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