Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Houston, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist works in the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas, within the South Central VA Health Care Network. The position performs a broad range of laboratory procedures, including medical laboratory technician tasks and advanced, complex procedures. The scientist identifies deviations from expected results, analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles, and evaluates issues related to collecting and processing biological specimens.

The role includes maintaining, calibrating, troubleshooting, repairing, and performing preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment; monitoring instrument performance; and documenting quality control, quality assurance, and corrective actions. The scientist follows biosafety and biosecurity requirements, responds to questions about test results and methodology, interprets findings, and recommends follow-up testing or procedures. The position also evaluates and implements laboratory methods and techniques, trains employees and students, contributes to continuing education, and communicates effectively with healthcare team members and customers.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 3:30 p.m. to midnight, with alternating weekends and holidays. The schedule may change based on facility needs. The role is performed in an office/clinic setting and may involve several tasks at once, including in stressful situations. The full performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-07 through GS-11. Eligible employees may qualify for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet a recognized certification route: generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT. Eligible non-certified applicants may be hired under specified VA routes while working toward certification, subject to appointment and supervision restrictions.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy.
• 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.
• For GS-09: knowledge of clinical laboratory testing policies and procedures, quality control and assurance principles, and 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 the next lower grade, 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; quality control and assurance and performance-improvement principles; and laboratory informatics, data flow, and processes.
• For GS-11: ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation; independently analyze and interpret laboratory results; read and apply complex written instructions; and communicate, consult, and interact with healthcare team members and other relevant contacts.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination; testing-designated applicants are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Complete the required application and online onboarding processes and provide acceptable identification.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine, advanced, and complex laboratory procedures, including tasks associated with the medical laboratory technician occupation.
• Recognize deviations from expected results and analyze and correct problems using scientific principles.
• Evaluate and resolve problems involving collection and processing of biological specimens.
• Maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, repair, and perform preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment; document equipment performance and maintenance.
• Diagnose test-performance deviations related to instrument malfunction.
• Perform and document quality control, quality assurance, and corrective actions using statistical principles and performance-improvement theories.
• Follow workplace biosafety and biosecurity practices and regulations.
• Identify discrepancies, solve problems, and present solutions.
• Answer 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 reference-interval establishment.
• Interpret findings and make recommendations.
• Instruct and train new employees and students and contribute to laboratory in-service and continuing education.
• Communicate effectively and courteously as a healthcare team member and provide service to healthcare providers, patients, and others.
• Provide direction and guidance on principles underlying laboratory testing.
• Organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval, with an award of up to $200,000 and 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 VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, 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 birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees, subject to income and other program limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and 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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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