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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 7 hours ago

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Lebanon, PA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

1+ years exp

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Lebanon VA Medical Center within the Pathology and Laboratory service line. The role involves performing, evaluating, interpreting, and validating laboratory procedures and results, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and conducting quality control activities.

GovernmentMedicalNational SecurityPublic Safety

Comp. & Benefits

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) performs - evaluates - interprets - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements

Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods

In addition to routine testing - the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting

The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states - determines the validity of test results - and the need for additional tests

The CLS assesses a situation - considers the options - and formulates an appropriate course of action

This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures - collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients - and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional - courteous - and effective manner

Major duties include - but are not limited to: Evaluates and solves problems related to the collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis - considering physiologic processes and requirements

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

Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment - including identifying malfunctions and performing repairs and preventive maintenance

Ability to diagnose deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction

Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions

Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors that influence test results

Interprets test results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures

Assists with evaluating and implementing new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment - method comparison - and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods

Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace with immediate or general supervision

Participates in education for laboratory professionals

Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines with minimal assistance

Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member - giving direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing

Functions in more complex targeted laboratory roles - responsibilities - or projects including but not limited to laboratory safety - quality management - quality improvement - analyzer operation - quality control - inventory control - laboratory competency assessment - proficiency testing - education - and/or ancillary testing

Performs additional duties as assigned

Qualification

MLS certificationMedical Laboratory Technician certificationBachelor's degree in medical laboratory scienceLaboratory quality controlLaboratory equipmentPerform complex testingTeamworkCommunication skillsProblem-solving skillsAttention to detail

Required

United States Citizenship

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

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

Candidates must meet one of the certification options below: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT or Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT

Eligibility Routes for Certification A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science - medical technology - clinical laboratory science - or in a related science (for example - chemistry - biochemistry - biology - microbiology - immunology - etc.) and - completion of a medical technology clinical practice program (accredited by the NAACLS - Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP - formerly CAHEA) - or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) within the last 5 years

valid Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification by the ASCP BOC - ASCP BOR - or AMT and - 1 year of post-MLT certification clinical laboratory experience within the last 3 years

This experience must include performing moderate and/or high complexity testing (as categorized by the FDA) in a clinical laboratory

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university including 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one course in microbiology) - 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one course in organic or biochemistry) - and one course in mathematics and - 4 years of clinical laboratory experience within the last nine years performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood bank - chemistry - hematology - microbiology - immunology - and clinical microscopy (or categorical experience that matches categorical certification) in a clinical laboratory

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university with 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in biology including one semester in microbiology and 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in chemistry - which may be obtained within or in addition to - the bachelor's degree

Completion of a 50-week U.S. Military MLT training program (with official certificate verifying completion of training) within the last 10 years and - 1 year full-time clinical laboratory experience within the last 10 years

This experience must include performing moderate and/or high complexity testing in blood banking - chemistry - hematology - microbiology - immunology - and urinalysis/body fluids (or categorical experience that matches categorical certification) in a clinical laboratory

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

In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified

Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing

Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles

Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance

Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments

Ability to read and interpret written instructions

Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of testing

In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following 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

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)