Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Job title: Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Department of Veterans Affairs - Asheville, North Carolina

Responsibilities

• performing laboratory testing
• maintaining equipment
• interpreting results

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree

• MLS/MT or categorical or specialist certification from ASCP or AMT, and 1 year at the next lower grade or 3 years graduate education. Requires English proficiency and U.S. citizenship

• Summary

• This position is eligible for the

Education

• Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

• The CLS operating at the FPL may rotate with other generalists on a regular basis through the abovementioned laboratory areas or may instead be limited to performing duties in one or a few of the above-mentioned areas. He/She also works off-tour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need. The duties and responsibilities of the CLS could include but are not limited to the following: Duties/Tasks Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the CLS occupation. In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering 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. Diagnosis 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. Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Interpret results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. Evaluated 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. Interpret findings and makes recommendations Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continue education program 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. While not routinely assigned, could be called upon to perform phlebotomy duties. Customer Service: Relationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public are consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature. Employee will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals. Employee will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level. Work Schedule: 4:00pm - 12:00am Telework: This is not a telework position Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Qualifications

• Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic

Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7043 (f) Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Certification. (1) 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 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 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: (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. NOTE: 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. 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). Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11. (1) Experience or Education. 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. (2) Assignment. The CLS develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements. The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry, microbiology immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. 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. Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control, and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program. This assignment may include limited duties in