Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Knoxville, TN

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist independently carries out day-to-day laboratory operations, including evaluating and preparing specimens, assigning priorities to test requests, and completing tests promptly for critical-care needs. The role develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates laboratory procedures and results in accordance with current regulatory requirements. Routine work includes quality control, instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, evaluating abnormal results, determining result validity, and identifying the need for additional testing.

The position may include targeted responsibilities or projects such as serving as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator for new test systems, quality-control specialist, supply-control lead, or coordinator for laboratory competency assessments or proficiency surveys. Limited duties may also involve laboratory information management and ancillary testing. The work requires broad independent judgment, organization, and prioritization with minimal technical supervision. The scientist monitors quality-control systems, collaborates in patient diagnosis and treatment, and provides education to laboratory health care professionals and the public. The role also provides direction, work review, and job training to students and less-experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientists, and works with laboratory and non-laboratory staff and outside service representatives to address instrument malfunctions and repairs.

The work schedule is 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Weekend, holiday, irregular-shift, or other-section coverage may be required as needed or directed by management. The full performance level is GS-11. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval; awards may be up to $200,000, with an eligibility period of one to five years.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated limited exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, subject to the stated grandfathering provisions.
• Maintain a valid Generalist certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP BOC or AMT) or Medical Technologist (ASCP BOR or AMT), subject to the stated recent-graduate and grandfathering provisions.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English for direct patient-care positions.
• For GS-09: 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 quality assurance; 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: 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 professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories; laboratory quality control, quality assurance, and performance improvement; skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and processes; ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation; independent technical judgment in analyzing and interpreting results; ability to apply complex written instructions; and ability to communicate, consult, and interact with health care team members, external relations, customer service, and patient education.
• Applicants using foreign education must provide the specified evaluation or certification eligibility documentation, except where possession of the qualifying certification establishes creditability as described in the posting.
• Selected applicants are subject to pre-employment urinalysis, background/security investigation, onboarding requirements, and the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Selected applicants must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Physical capacity for recurring standing and walking; manual dexterity and visual acuity; prolonged sitting and concentration; intermittent moderate lifting (the posting states “915-44 pounds”); light carrying under 15 pounds; use of fingers and both hands; intermittent or possible prolonged stooping and kneeling; reading ordinary print and computer screens; hearing (hearing aids permitted); working amid constant noise and closely with others; and maintaining accuracy, cognitive function, and emotional stability in a fast-paced, stressful environment.

Responsibilities

• Independently carry out day-to-day laboratory operations.
• Evaluate specimen suitability, prepare specimens while maintaining specimen properties, prioritize test requests, and perform testing promptly for critical-care situations.
• Develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate laboratory procedures and results in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Conduct quality control, routine instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Correlate abnormal laboratory data with pathological states, determine the validity of results, and determine whether additional tests are needed.
• Undertake targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects, which may include laboratory safety, analyzer specialization, operation of new test systems, quality control, supply control, competency assessment, or proficiency/survey coordination.
• Perform limited duties in laboratory information management or ancillary testing as assigned.
• Exercise independent judgment to assess situations, consider options, formulate actions, and organize and prioritize work with minimal technical supervision.
• Monitor quality-control systems and measures and 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.
• Provide direction, review work, and train students and less-experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientists.
• Communicate instrument problems to outside service representatives and follow repair instructions.
• Provide laboratory coverage for routine or emergency procedures, including weekend, holiday, irregular-shift, or other-section coverage as needed or directed.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility, application, and program approval; award up to $200,000 and eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal employment or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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