Clinical Lab Scientist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Meet one of the certification options: 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.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level for GS-12 assignments.
• Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties and complex clinical laboratory problems.
• Skill in maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing laboratory instrumentation.
• Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve complex problems.
• Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.
• Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.
• Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff about testing, specimen requirements, and results.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Register with Selective Service if applicable to male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements, complete online onboarding and application documentation, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Meet physical demands including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity; be able to walk, stand, stoop, sit, bend, pull, and push for periods of time.
• Be able to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities according to stakeholder needs, and potentially transfer patients or objects.
• Be able to work around infected patients and contaminated materials and wear protective clothing in isolation situations; occasional exposure to combative patients or residents may occur.

Nice To Haves

• Clinical Microbiology laboratory experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Communicate the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values.
• Perform complex clinical laboratory testing across relevant specialties and complete pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.
• Process, read, and report aerobic and anaerobic cultures from blood, body fluids, urine, respiratory, stool, and wound specimens.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot microbiological instrumentation.
• Assign and balance work, manage workloads, coach staff, and facilitate problem solving.
• Oversee operations in the assigned specialty area, including work assignments and completion, records and reports, testing methodologies, training, instrumentation, and compliance.
• Modify or adapt methods and techniques to improve or expand services; develop protocols for test performance and result evaluation.
• Ensure tests and procedures meet accrediting-agency standards and requirements.
• Recognize methodology limitations, including linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity, and consider them when assessing result validity.
• Perform validation or method-verification studies for new systems.
• Assist with writing procedures and other documents as directed.
• Evaluate laboratory staff competency and identify continuing education and training needs.
• Record and evaluate workload testing systems and maintain records of work status.
• Report team performance, progress, training needs, behavioral problems, and personnel needs; resolve simple, informal complaints.
• Serve as a liaison to the supervisor and other medical-center departments or divisions for the relevant laboratory specialty.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), with a potential award of up to $200,000 subject to eligibility and approval.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 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.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.