Clinical Lab Scientist (Intermittent Fee Basis)

Veterans Health Administration•Louisville, KY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist is an intermittent, fee-basis generalist position in the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center. Fee-basis work is performed as needed, is compensated according to an established fee schedule for approved services rendered, and does not guarantee a minimum number of assignments or compensation. The appointment is not to exceed the fiscal year, but may be extended based on service needs. Various tours are available, with rotating weekends and holidays; the schedule is discussed during the interview. The role is not virtual, and the selected candidate may rotate to another section or shift as management determines based on workload and staffing requirements. The scientist performs routine and advanced clinical laboratory work, including specimen assessment and preparation, testing by manual and instrumental methods, equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, quality control, and validation and reporting of laboratory results. The role requires adherence to laboratory protocols and regulatory requirements, including biosafety and biosecurity practices. The full performance level is GS-11, and selection may be at GS-7 through GS-11. The position requires a bachelor's degree or higher and applicable generalist certification, subject to the stated exception for eligible non-certified candidates working toward certification.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, or qualification under the stated grandfathering provision for eligible current VHA employees.
Generalist certification as an MLS through ASCP BOC or AMT, or as an MT through ASCP BOR or AMT; categorical and specialist certifications do not qualify for a CLS generalist position. An exception permits eligible non-certified applicants to be hired while actively pursuing certification, subject to the stated eligibility, supervision, appointment, and time-limit conditions.
For GS-09 placement: 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; also requires the listed knowledge and abilities in laboratory testing policies, quality control and assurance, equipment maintenance, teamwork, interpreting instructions, and accurately performing all phases of testing.
For GS-11 placement: one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science; also requires the listed knowledge and abilities in clinical laboratory science, quality and performance improvement, informatics and laboratory data flow, instrumentation maintenance and troubleshooting, independent technical judgment, complex instructions, and communication with healthcare and other stakeholders.
Foreign education must be evaluated as equivalent to the required U.S. education, or the applicant must provide the specified ASCP BOC or AMT eligibility letter for the certification examination.
Meet pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding and identification requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements for VA health care personnel.
Serve the required one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification of continued employment at its conclusion.
Meet the physical and functional demands described in the announcement, including moderate lifting, carrying, standing and walking, bending, possible prolonged stooping or kneeling, color discrimination, corrected near vision, hearing, working around constant noise and others, wearing required personal protective equipment, and maintaining accuracy and emotional stability in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Perform a broad range of laboratory procedures, including medical laboratory technician tasks and advanced, complex procedures.
Recognize deviations from expected test results and analyze and correct problems using scientific principles.
Evaluate and address issues with biological specimen collection and processing, including specimen suitability; request replacement specimens when needed and prepare specimens while maintaining their relevant physiologic properties.
Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor manual and instrumental testing procedures according to established protocols.
Maintain laboratory equipment and document its optimal functioning; use, calibrate, standardize, adjust, troubleshoot, repair, and perform preventive maintenance on instruments.
Identify instrument malfunctions and deviations in test performance, implement corrections, and refer unfamiliar situations or deviations from routine procedures to more experienced staff when needed.
Perform and document quality control and quality assurance activities, corrective actions, and performance monitoring; maintain quality-control records.
Verify instrument operation using established procedures and quality-control checks, and evaluate the validity of data against the test system and accepted assay procedures.
Correlate quantitative results with patient information, perform additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal results, and promptly report abnormal results requiring physician attention.
Generate laboratory results in the laboratory computer system and edit and verify recorded results.
Follow biosafety, biosecurity, and regulatory requirements, including applicable CAP and OSHA protocols.
Rotate to other laboratory sections or shifts as directed by management based on workload and staffing requirements.