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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 14 hours ago

Clinical Lab Scientist

Baltimore, MD

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$100K/yr - $131K/yr

1+ years exp

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Lab Scientist to evaluate specimens, maintain instruments, and ensure quality control in laboratory operations. The role involves preparing specimens for analysis, verifying instrument operation, and providing training to new personnel.

GovernmentMedicalNational SecurityPublic Safety

Comp. & Benefits

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Evaluate the suitability of specimens for analysis - requesting a new specimen if determined to be unusable

Prepare specimens for analysis - ensuring that proper specimen properties are maintained

Calibrates - standardizes - adjusts - and maintains instruments

Evaluates and sets up new instrumentation and tests - including method correlations - linearity - precision - and accuracy studies

Verify correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring

Conduct quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports

Select - perform - evaluate and monitor test performance using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols

Evaluate the validity of data within the test system and accepted assay procedures

Correlates test data with patient clinical history prior to verifying results

Perform additional testing to clarify or confirm abnormal test results

Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly

Responsible for entering and verifying laboratory test results from the work area into the laboratory computer system

Provides effective and professional training to newly hired medical technicians and CLS - medical technician/clinical lab scientist students - pathology residents - etc on theoretical and practical aspects of the section and in unique handling of specimens and testing procedures

Provide on-the-job demonstration of laboratory practice and explains procedures to students and new laboratory personnel - as needed

Other duties as assigned

Qualification

MLS certificationMT certificationLaboratory quality controlInformatics skillsTroubleshooting instrumentationEnglish proficiencyCommunication skills

Required

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy

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

Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below

Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT

Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT

Categorical certification

Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT

English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f)

Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. 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: 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

The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)

Grandfathering Provision: Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and certification where applicable

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed - the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions

If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements - employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted

Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard

Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation

Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation

Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11 Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level

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

In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): 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

Preferred

Minimum of one year experience working in Chemistry and reference testing (send out)

Benefits

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

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)