Summary

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) within the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. Openings are currently available in Special Chemistry - Auto Chemistry - and Third Shift Generalist. The CLS develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements.

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
• (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
• NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held
• Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including - Ancillary Testing Coordinator - Education Coordinator - Laboratory Information Manager - Quality Manager - Laboratory Manager - Regional Technical Specialist - National Quality and Compliance Agent - Regional Program Manager - Regional Director - Laboratory Director - or National Quality and Compliance Officer)
• 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
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
• a
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07
• (1) Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2) Assignment
• Employee at this level serves in a CLS entry-level position
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily direct supervision
• b
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09
• (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
• OR (b) Education
• Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science
• (2) Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
• (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles
• (c) Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance
• (d) Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments
• (e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions
• (f) Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of testing
• (3) Assignment
• An individual at this grade level serves as a developmental CLS
• The CLS is responsible for evaluating - performing - interpreting - and validating the accuracy and validity of test results
• The CLS demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods
• This includes routine testing - quality control - routine maintenance of instrumentation - and troubleshooting that applies innovative procedures and problem solving
• Deviations from regular procedures - unanticipated problems - and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance
• Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level
• It is expected that a CLS at this grade performs more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the entry level
• c
• 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) Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent work
• (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement
• (c) Skill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processes
• (d) Ability to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentation
• (e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• (f) Ability to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructions
• (g) Ability to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the health care team - external relations - customer service - and patient education
• (3) Assignment
• This is considered FPL for a CLS
• A CLS at this level independently 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
• 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 areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing
• These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility - including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision
• 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
• 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
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests - walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center
• The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer - manual dexterity - visual acuity - color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time
• Requires intermittent moderate lifting (15-44 pounds)
• light carrying (under 15 pounds)
• use of fingers
• both hands required
• intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling
• ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens
• ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise
• working closely with others
• high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy
• emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.

Duties

• Duties and tasks include but are not limited to the following: Maintains and demonstrates knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent work
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement
• Demonstrates skill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processes
• Utilizes comprehensive knowledge of laboratory equipment and maintains - troubleshoots - and repairs instrumentation and demonstrates proper documentation of corrective action
• Uses independent technical judgement to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• Reads - interprets - and applies complex written instructions
• Communicates - consults - and interacts with other members of the healthcare team - external relations - customer service - and patient education
• Evaluates the suitability of each specimen for analysis - requesting a new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimen for analysis according to established procedures
• Ensures acceptable orders have been placed by a provider and accurately accessions and receives specimens - maintaining correct patient identification throughout each phase of processing - analysis - and resulting
• Selects - performs - evaluates - and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or automated techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• locates and implements corrective action
• Conducts quality control procedures on instrumentation - equipment - reagents - and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports
• Performs initial quality control of all incoming reagents and supplies as required
• Performs initial testing on all reagents received in chemistry - blood bank - coagulation - and hematology before reagents are put into use
• Calibrates - standardizes - adjusts - and maintains instruments
• Evaluates the validity of the data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures
• Reviews and investigates delta checks - flags - alerts - etc
• and performs additional testing to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly and follows the proper laboratory and medical center policies
• Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of results recorded into the computer system
• Performs checks to maintain compliance with regulatory bodies such as AABB - FDA - The Joint Commission (TJC) - College of American Pathologists (CAP) - and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) such as temperature checks - inventory control - blood utilization tracking - instrument maintenance and testing
• Maintains accountability for inventory and ordering of all supplies - including blood products and reagents for all shifts and inventory of expendable supplies
• Follows all safety and infectious disease policies while conducting duties of the position
• Performs routine and stat laboratory testing within the established time limits
• Work Schedule: First Shift: (Chemistry) Full-time
• 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday - with rotating weekends and holidays
• Third Shift: (Generalist) Full-time
• 12:00am - 8:30 am Monday - Friday - with rotating weekends and holidays
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: 95252-A - 95253-A - 94177-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized