Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Veterans Health Administration • Iowa City, IA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist works in the HLA/Tissue Typing laboratory section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service Line, rotating through laboratory benches including processing, Single Antigen, and NGS. The role performs and evaluates laboratory testing, maintains equipment and quality systems, validates results and procedures, and supports clinical staff and patients with laboratory-related information. The position may require off-hour shifts, weekends, holidays, nights, and call-back as operational needs require. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with on-call duties. This is not a virtual position; telework is ad hoc. The full performance level is GS-11, with selection possible at GS-7 through GS-11. The role is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to VHA eligibility and approval; awards may be up to $200,000 for one to five years. Former EDRP participants are ineligible. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station benefits are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet an accepted certification route: generalist MLS certification from ASCP BOC or AMT; generalist MT certification from ASCP BOR or AMT; or relevant categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT. Categorical or specialist certifications must correspond to the laboratory section or qualifying assignment.
• Applicants without current valid certification may qualify under an identified Appendix A route to take an MLS certification exam; non-certified appointees must work toward certification, may only be appointed at entry level, and must work under certified CLS supervision.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• 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 quality 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 clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories; quality-control and quality-assurance procedures and performance improvement; skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes; ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation; independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret results; ability to interpret and apply complex instructions; and ability to communicate and interact with healthcare-team members, external contacts, customers, and patients.
• Submit a transcript with the application. Foreign education used to qualify must be evaluated for equivalency as specified in the announcement.
• Selected applicants must complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment requirements; applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment drug testing.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA healthcare personnel.
• A one- or two-year trial period is required.
• A pre-employment examination or evaluation may be required.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate specimen suitability and resolve problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens.
• Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor laboratory test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques according to established protocols.
• Recognize instrument malfunctions, identify their causes, and implement corrections.
• Perform and document quality control, quality assurance, and corrective actions using statistical principles and performance-improvement concepts.
• Calibrate, standardize, adjust, maintain, and perform preventive maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment; verify proper operation and make simple repairs.
• Evaluate data validity in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures, and correlate quantitative results with patient information such as history and medications.
• Perform complex laboratory procedures, analyze and resolve problems using scientific principles, identify discrepancies, and recommend solutions.
• Perform additional testing to clarify or confirm interpretation of abnormal patient results.
• Answer questions about test results, methodology, specificity, sensitivity, and factors affecting results; promptly report abnormal results requiring physician attention.
• Generate laboratory results in the laboratory computer system and edit and verify results entered into the system.
• Instruct, assist, and advise medical technicians, residents, hospital staff, patients, and students on testing, specimen collection, equipment, and ordering requirements.
• Develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate laboratory procedures and results in accordance with current regulations.
• Follow biosafety and biosecurity practices and applicable facility, local, state, and federal safety requirements.
• Evaluate and implement new laboratory techniques and procedures, including equipment and method comparisons and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and technical knowledge.
• Assist with laboratory projects and improvements, including safety, quality-control monitoring, supplies and reagent monitoring and ordering, and analyzer-specialist activities.
• Communicate courteously and effectively as a member of the healthcare team, and organize work and priorities to meet deadlines.
• Rotate through HLA laboratory benches, including processing, Single Antigen, and NGS.
• Work off-hour shifts, weekends, holidays, nights, and call-back when operational priorities require.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) student loan reimbursement, subject to eligibility and approval, up to $200,000 for one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position status and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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