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.

Qualifications

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
• 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 or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT
• 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
• OR
• The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• Grade Determinations: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) - GS-12 Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) is required for all GS-12 assignments
• Examples of creditable experience are: Carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory
• 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
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge and understanding of concepts - principles - methodology of medical laboratory technology - regulatory and accrediting agency requirements - medico-legal requirements - and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests
• Knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired clinical laboratory scientists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of laboratory procedures
• Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions
• Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations
• Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory
• Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section
• Preferred Experience: Lead or technical specialist in blood bank
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 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 and ability to read ordinary type without strain.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties: Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult - complex - unique - and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge
• Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area
• Recommends new/replacement instrumentation
• Designs workflow to accomplish objectives in the clinical specialty area
• Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing - including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information
• Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses
• Identifies training needs appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed
• Identifies - defines - and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists
• Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing
• Applies laws - policies - precedents - regulatory - licensing - and accrediting requirements to establish - monitor - and maintain the specialized testing
• Maintains process control in a specialty area through a multifaceted quality assurance program
• Acts as a primary trainer for new staff and is responsible for coordination of training in the methods and techniques of the laboratory section
• Maintains records and procedure manuals by writing new procedures and/or updating existing procedures as necessary - as directed by the supervisor
• Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of regulatory agencies such as CAP - TJC - CLSI - JCAHO and OSHA
• Coordinates Quality Control activities with supervisor and maintains continual readiness for accreditation inspections
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN5EDRPCoordinators@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 25545F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized