Summary

This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until September 30 - 2026.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director) - GS-15 - requires unique education requirements
• Certification: 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 - OR - 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
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07
• Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09
• 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
• OR - Education
• Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 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
• OR - 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
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Experience in Blood Bank - Chemistry - Hematology - and Microbiology is preferred
• 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 in the range of GS-07 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing - bending - reaching - crouching - stooping - stretching - and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals - record boxes - equipment or assisting patients
• See https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/OCHCO/SitePages/D5019.aspx VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service with the responsibility for testing performed in Chemistry - Hematology - Coagulation - Urinalysis - lmmunohematology (Blood Bank) - Microbiology - Immunology - and Molecular Diagnostic sections at the Ralph H
• Johnson VA Health Care System - a tertiary healthcare facility that provides acute - intermediate - primary - psychiatric - and long term care 24 hours a day - seven (7) days a week and on public holidays
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is responsible for assessing - conducting - interpreting - and validating the accuracy and reliability of test outcomes
• This CLS showcases progressive clinical expertise and experience through the execution of testing protocols on various biological samples using both manual and automated techniques
• Tasks encompass routine testing - quality assurance - equipment maintenance - and problem-solving
• Any deviations from standard procedures - unexpected issues - or unfamiliar scenarios are escalated to the full performance CLS or above for guidance
• Under close supervision and daily guidance of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at or above the full performance level (FPL) the employee performs the following functions: Ability to demonstrate development in CLS procedures and testing
• Accession samples and requests with appropriate documentation of any issues as applicable to each work area
• Utilizes both manual and automated testing techniques
• Performs routine testing - quality control - maintenance - and documentation of optimal functioning of laboratory equipment
• Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions of laboratory equipment
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace
• Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member
• Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)
• The Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service/Laboratory Director will assign all lab personnel to CUA roles
• Accession samples and requests with appropriate documentation of any issues as applicable to each work area
• Performs laboratory testing and tasks of the CLS occupation
• Under direct technical supervision - performs and documents quality control and corrective actions related to test performance
• Under direct technical supervision - adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace
• The Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service/Laboratory Director will assign all lab personnel to CUA roles
• Responsible for CUA Laboratory Director delegated duties to include - but not limited to: Following the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing - test analyses - reporting and maintaining records of patient test results
• Proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens
• Adhere to the laboratory's quality control policies - document quality control activities - instrument - and maintenance
• Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm
• 4:00pm - 12:00am
• or 12:00am - 8:00am - Monday - Friday (with rotating weekends and holidays)
• Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@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 #: 534-59435F
• 534-59437F
• 534-59485F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.