Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Little Rock, AR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist performs a broad range of clinical laboratory testing and tasks, including advanced and complex procedures. The role involves evaluating specimen collection and processing, maintaining and troubleshooting laboratory equipment, conducting quality control and assurance activities, and interpreting test results. The scientist recognizes deviations and limitations in testing, investigates problems, recommends follow-up testing, and consults with healthcare providers and laboratory staff. The position also supports method development and validation, staff and student training, customer service, and compliance with laboratory standards and biosafety requirements. The full performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-07 through GS-11. This is a laboratory-based position with a Monday–Friday schedule of 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., rotating holidays, and required weekend and holiday work, including phlebotomy. The schedule may change based on facility needs. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet one of the accepted certification options: generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or a qualifying categorical or specialist certification applicable to the relevant assignment.
• Non-certified applicants may qualify under specified routes to certification and may be appointed temporarily at entry level under the stated conditions; they must work under supervision of a certified CLS and obtain certification to be promoted or converted.
• For GS-07: meet the basic requirements; no additional experience beyond those requirements is specified.
• For GS-09: 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; demonstrate the listed grade-level knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• 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; demonstrate the listed grade-level knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, drug testing for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Complete required application and onboarding processes and provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification that continued employment advances the public interest.
• Work the stated schedule, including required weekend and holiday work.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with high- and moderate-complexity laboratory testing and phlebotomy.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine, advanced, and complex clinical laboratory testing and related tasks.
• Evaluate problems involving collection and processing of biological specimens, considering physiologic processes and testing requirements.
• Maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, repair, and perform preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment; document equipment performance.
• Recognize and correct test-performance deviations caused by instrument malfunction.
• Perform and document quality control, quality assurance, and corrective actions using statistical principles and performance-improvement methods.
• Follow workplace biosafety and biosecurity practices and regulations.
• Identify discrepancies, analyze problems, and present solutions.
• Respond to inquiries about test results, methodology, test specificity and sensitivity, and factors that influence results.
• Interpret results and recommend follow-up test selection or procedures.
• Evaluate and implement laboratory techniques and procedures, including equipment and method comparisons and establishment of reference intervals.
• Interpret findings and make recommendations, including consultation with healthcare providers on protocols to confirm diagnoses or assess risk.
• Develop protocols for performing tests and evaluating results; modify or adapt methods to improve or expand services.
• Perform validation and method-verification studies for new systems.
• Recognize methodology limitations, including linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity, and account for them when assessing result validity.
• Train new employees and students and contribute to laboratory in-service and continuing education programs.
• Communicate courteously and effectively as a healthcare team member; provide service to healthcare providers, patients, and others.
• Provide direction and guidance on laboratory testing principles and advisory services to technicians, technologists, and other specialists.
• Organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines.
• Ensure laboratory tests and procedures meet accrediting-agency standards and requirements.
• Work weekends and holidays, including performing phlebotomy.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program may provide approved student-loan repayment of up to $200,000 over an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on qualifications or agency needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 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 request and 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 program limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term-life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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