Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, ME

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is in Pathology and Lab Services at the VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, Maine. This intermittent position performs and evaluates laboratory testing in accordance with current regulatory requirements. Work may span chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology, using manual or automated methods on biological specimens and/or environmental samples. The role includes quality control, routine instrument maintenance and troubleshooting, interpreting abnormal laboratory data in relation to pathological states, validating results, and determining whether additional tests are needed. At the full-performance level, the scientist independently carries out day-to-day laboratory operations with minimal technical supervision, exercises judgment in organizing and prioritizing work, monitors quality systems, collaborates in patient diagnosis and treatment, and provides education to laboratory health care professionals and the public.

The vacancy may be filled at GS-7 through GS-11, with GS-11 identified as the full performance level. GS-7 is an entry-level assignment with daily direct supervision. GS-9 is a developmental assignment involving more complex testing and less frequent supervision. At GS-11, the scientist independently performs laboratory operations and may take on targeted responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety, analyzer specialization, new test systems, quality control, supply control, competency assessment, proficiency programs, laboratory information management, or ancillary testing.

The position is intermittent, with a varying schedule. Compressed or flexible scheduling, telework, and virtual work are not authorized. Relocation incentives and permanent change of station expenses are not authorized. The position is in the Excepted Service, is not in a bargaining unit, and is subject to a special salary rate. Applicants must meet applicable education and certification requirements, and employment is subject to pre-employment screening, credentialing where applicable, influenza vaccination requirements, and a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A 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 applicable categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT. Categorical or specialist certification is limited to relevant laboratory sections or specified non-section assignments.
• Non-certified applicants may qualify through the stated routes to eligibility for an MLS certification exam and may be appointed temporarily under the stated conditions; non-certified employees must work under certified CLS supervision, may be appointed only at entry level, and must obtain certification for promotion or conversion.
• For GS-7, no experience beyond the basic requirements is required.
• For GS-9, one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-7, 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-9, demonstrate knowledge of clinical laboratory testing policies and procedures, quality control and assurance principles, laboratory equipment and routine maintenance; ability to work as a team member, read and 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-9, 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, demonstrate knowledge of clinical laboratory science principles and practices, laboratory quality control and assurance, and performance improvement; informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory 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 and interact with health care team members, external relations, customers, and patients.
• Meet pre-employment requirements, which may include urinalysis drug screening, background/security investigation, acceptable identification, physical evaluation, credentialing, seasonal influenza vaccination, and completion of online onboarding.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated performance and public-interest evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate laboratory procedures and results in accordance with current regulatory requirements.
• Perform laboratory testing in specialties including chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology.
• Test biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods.
• Conduct quality control, routine instrumentation maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Correlate abnormal laboratory data with pathological states, determine result validity, and determine whether additional testing is needed.
• Organize and prioritize work and exercise independent judgment with minimal technical supervision at the full-performance level.
• Monitor laboratory quality-control systems and measures.
• Collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
• Educate laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.
• As applicable, carry out targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects such as laboratory safety, analyzer specialization, new test systems, quality control, supply control, competency assessment, proficiency programs, laboratory information management, or ancillary testing.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential 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 the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility conditions.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level