Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Gainesville, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist works in the Microbiology section of the Clinical Laboratory, performing routine and STAT testing, quality control, routine instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting. The scientist develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates laboratory procedures and results in accordance with laboratory regulatory requirements. The role requires independent technical judgment, organizing priorities with minimal technical supervision, assessing situations, and determining appropriate actions. The scientist monitors quality control, collaborates in patient diagnosis and treatment, and provides education to laboratory health care professionals and the public. The full performance level is GS-11; the vacancy may be filled at GS-7 through GS-11. The position is not virtual and has a scheduled workday of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with rotational shifts that include weekends and holidays. It is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to individual eligibility and program approval. EDRP awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet one of the stated certification options: 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 or specialist certifications do not qualify for generalist positions or unrelated laboratory sections.
• Applicants without current valid certification may qualify through specified routes to certification eligibility and may be appointed temporarily under the stated conditions; non-certified employees must work under supervision and may be appointed only at entry level.
• For GS-09, either 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; required KSAs include laboratory testing policies and procedures, quality control and assurance, routine equipment maintenance, teamwork, interpreting instructions, and accurate testing across pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases.
• For GS-11, either 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; required KSAs include clinical laboratory science principles, quality control and assurance and performance improvement, laboratory informatics and processes, instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, independent interpretation of results, applying complex instructions, and communication and consultation with health care teams and others.
• Applicants relying on foreign education must provide the required foreign-equivalency documentation unless the stated certification exception applies.
• Subject to background and security investigation, and applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete the required application and onboarding steps.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and STAT testing in the Microbiology section of the Clinical Laboratory.
• Perform quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation, and troubleshooting.
• Develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate laboratory procedures and results in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Correlate abnormal laboratory data with pathological states, determine result validity, and determine whether additional tests are needed.
• Exercise independent judgment and responsibility, organize and prioritize work, and formulate appropriate courses of action with minimal technical supervision.
• 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.
• Work rotational shifts, including weekends and holidays, as needed.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): eligible participants may receive student loan reimbursement of up to $200,000, subject to program approval and eligibility requirements.
• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

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