Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Martinsburg, WV

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist is assigned to the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The position independently carries out day-to-day laboratory operations, developing, performing, evaluating, interpreting, correlating, and validating laboratory procedures and results in accordance with current regulatory requirements. Testing may cover specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology, and uses manual or automated methods on biological specimens and/or environmental samples.

The scientist performs routine and specialized testing, quality control, routine instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting; correlates abnormal results with pathological states; and determines result validity and whether additional tests are needed. Work requires independent judgment, setting priorities with minimal technical supervision, and collaboration in patient diagnosis and treatment. The role may also include targeted assignments such as laboratory safety, analyzer or new test system support, quality control, supply control, competency assessment, proficiency programs, laboratory information management, or ancillary testing. The schedule is overnight, with 10- or 12-hour shifts; compressed scheduling is available.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, or qualifying graduate education/doctoral degree as specified for the GS-11 grade determination.
• Generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT, generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT, or qualifying categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT.
• For the GS-11 experience route, one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-9, including evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating test results; testing varied biological specimens; routine testing and quality control; instrument maintenance; and troubleshooting and problem-solving. Alternatively, meet the specified education route of 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.
• Knowledge of clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient for independent work.
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control, quality assurance, and performance improvement principles and procedures.
• Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
• Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.
• Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with health care team members, external relations, customers, and patients.
• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must pass applicable pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, and physical evaluation; selected applicants are subject to urinalysis drug screening and required influenza vaccination.
• Must satisfy the stated onboarding and application-document requirements and, if appointed, serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Foreign education must meet the stated equivalency requirements and be supported by the required documentation.

Responsibilities

• Recognize and define testing problems and evaluate methods for resolving them.
• Evaluate, guide, or implement alternative approaches to standard methods.
• Assess whether specimens are suitable for analysis, request replacement specimens when necessary, and prepare specimens while maintaining their physiological properties.
• Perform phlebotomy as needed for laboratory test requests.
• Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor non-routine and specialized tests using manual and/or instrumental techniques according to established protocols.
• Select appropriate control samples, establish protocols for evaluating control values, and define actions for out-of-range results.
• Create, use, or modify logic schemas to determine corrective actions for problems.
• Prepare laboratory reports that identify samples and state methods and results, and report results to appropriate individuals.
• Perform routine and special anatomic pathology procedures as needed, including accessioning, grossing, embedding, microtomy, H&E staining, and special stains.
• Obtain data in accordance with established procedures.
• Develop instructions for converting manual testing systems to automated systems.
• Conduct quality control, routine instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting; correlate abnormal laboratory data with pathological states and determine result validity and need for additional testing.
• Maintain professional currency through formal education, professional training, and networking.
• Collaborate in patient diagnosis and treatment and provide education to laboratory health care professionals and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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