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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 4 days ago

Clinical Lab Scientist - Generalist

Grand Junction, CO

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$107K/yr - $139K/yr

1+ years exp

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Lab Scientist - Generalist to evaluate and solve problems related to the collection and processing of biological specimens. The role involves maintaining laboratory equipment, performing quality control, and ensuring adherence to biosafety regulations.

GovernmentMedicalNational SecurityPublic Safety

Comp. & Benefits

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements

Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment

Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment

Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction

Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement

Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace

Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs instrumentation

Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions

Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors which influence test results

Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures

Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge

Interprets findings and makes recommendations

Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member

Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others)

Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing

Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines

Performs testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual and automated techniques

Requires competency in the areas of Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Microbiology, Serology, Special Chemistry and Urinalysis

Evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results

Prepares reagents, and verifies correct instrument operation

Maintains validity of assay system by appropriate testing of reagents prior to use for patient testing

Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures

Incumbent possesses experience with regulatory, licensing, and accreditation agency requirements and statutes governing clinical laboratory operations to plan, implement, or monitor laboratory programs and services

Correlates and integrates information and performs additional testing to confirm abnormal results

Collects venous blood samples from patients adhering to all safety and patient care requirements

Judges the acceptability of samples submitted for testing using a broad body of knowledge of pre-analytic sample requirements

Processes specimens and selects appropriate procedures based on knowledge of type of specimens, patient information, and resources available in the laboratory

Controls physical conditions and responds to time factors to ensure that the physiological state of the specimen is maintained

Possesses experience to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation

Qualification

MLS certificationMT certificationLaboratory quality controlLaboratory instrumentationClinical laboratory scienceInformatics skillsStatistical analysisCustomer serviceCommunication skillsProblem-solving skills

Required

You must be a citizen of the United States

You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university

Candidates must meet one of the certification options below: (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT (c) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT

Foreign education must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials

Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: (1) Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency - and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program OR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination

Possession of a certification identified in 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed

Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (a) Experience - 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR (b) Education - Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science

Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent work

Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement

Skill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processes

Ability to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentation

Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results

Ability to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructions

Ability to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the health care team - external relations - customer service - and patient education

The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 45 lbs. - straight pulling - pushing - reaching above the shoulder - use of fingers and both hands - walking - standing for up to 4 hours - kneeling - repeated bending - use of both arms and legs

Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes - depth perception - ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors - hearing (aids permitted) - clear - high cognitive function and emotional stability - ability to read ordinary type without strain

Benefits

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)