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Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
Albuquerque Area
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Contact the Albuquerque Area IHS Recruiter:
Michelle Aguilar Bowser
Phone: 505-256-6731 or
Email: Michelle.AguilarBowser@ihs.gov

This Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) allows acceptance of application throughout the year with eligible applicants being placed on the register and referred for consideration when vacancies occur.

Your application will expire 8 months from application date and you must reapply to keep your application active.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/10/2023 to 09/29/2023
Salary
$49,434 to - $82,564 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 10
Locations
Towaoc, CO
Few vacancies
Acomita, NM
Few vacancies
Albuquerque, NM
Few vacancies
Dulce, NM
Few vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses may be authorized depending on approval by management at time of recruitment. When relocation expenses are authorized, you will be required to sign a one year service agreement. Failure to fulfill the one year service agreement may result in repayment of relocation expenses.
Appointment type
Multiple
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
10
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
IHS-23-AQ-11826488-DE
Control number
712231300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

The IHS is required by law to give absolute preference to qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interior's definition of Indian for appointment to vacancies within the IHS in accordance with established IHS policy as outlined in the Indian Health Manual Part 7, Chapter 3. The IHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Duties

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These positions are located in one of the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Service facilities, with duty locations varying across the state of New Mexico, and reports to the Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist. The incumbent is responsible for the Pre-Analytical, Analytical, and Post-Analytical application of established laboratory procedures in accordance to regulatory guidelines for examinations of blood, and other body fluids in the clinical laboratory. Work assignments are in such specialization as chemistry, hematology, coagulation, serology, immunology, urinalysis, microbiology, and immunohematology.

  • Use appropriate functions of the laboratory package, including ordering patient tests and accessioning tests ordered by the provider.
  • Withdraws appropriate quantities of blood by venipuncture, capillary, and/or arterial puncture as required using appropriate age specific techniques.
  • Evaluates the specimen for integrity and analysis.
  • Analyzes quality control specimens, record results and determines report ability of results.
  • Follows accreditation standards, regulatory agency requirements and institutional policies regarding blood borne pathogen, internal/external disaster policy, infection control, chemical hygiene, fire and electrical safety.
  • Sets up, operates and/or utilizes appropriate equipment, instruments, containers and other devices and materials to perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of substances.
  • Prepares solutions, stains, reagents and media required for the conduct of tests/examinations.
  • Interprets and evaluates results of tests/examinations in process and upon completion in order to recognize anticipated reactions and departures from the norm.
  • Exercises professional judgment and experience in determining the causes or possible significance of improper or imprecise outcomes and in repeating or altering procedures and techniques to correct abnormalities and deviations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.

COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty.

The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service.

Alternate work schedule, call backs, standby duty, rotating shifts, nights/weekends/holidays may be required to provide continuity of service.

You will be required to have all federal salary payments electronically deposited into a bank account with a financial institution of your choice.

A valid unrestricted state driver's license is required.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

Education:

  1. A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science, chemistry and mathematics, AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. OR
  2. A full 4-year course of study that included 12 months in a college or hospital-based medical technology program or medical technology school approved by a recognized accrediting organization. The professional medical technology curriculum may have consisted of a 1-year post- bachelor's certificate program or the last 1 or 2 years of a 4-year program of study culminating in a bachelor's in medical technology. OR
  3. A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND five years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, microbiology, Immunology and Urinalysis/Body Fluids. OR
  4. Current federal employee assigned to a position in this occupational series as of September 2017 will be considered having met the basic requirements for the position occupied.
Acceptable experience is responsible professional experience in a hospital laboratory, health agency, industrial medical laboratory, or pharmaceutical house; or teaching, test development, or medical research program experience that provided an understanding of the methods and techniques applied in performing professional clinical laboratory work. Certification/licensure as a medical technologist (generalist) obtained through written examination by a nationally recognized credentialing agency or State licensing body is a good indication that the quality of experience is acceptable.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks:

GS-07 Grade Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level performing the following type of work: assisting Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist in preparing reagents; assisting with performance of routine laboratory tests; following procedures to ensure quality control; and using basic laboratory equipment and instruments.

GS-09 Grade Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level performing the following type of work: performing procedures of a routine and complex nature in all clinical laboratory sections; standardizing and/or calibrating section instruments; preparing reagents and controls; maintaining quality control; performing analysis which is reviewed by Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Supervisor; performing electronic standardization procedures for laboratory instrumentation function.

GS-10 Grade Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level performing the following type of work: processing patient samples and conducting analysis; performing instrument calibration standardization and preventive maintenance; maintaining section records; preparing reagents and verifying instruments are operating correctly; repeating unusual or unexpected test results; evaluating acceptable quality control means, standard deviation reference points and variation from the mean; and mentoring new graduates and/or intermediate clinical laboratory scientist co-workers.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has positive education requirements, you MUST submit copies of your transcripts (Official or Unofficial).

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed.

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

Positions may be covered by Bargaining Unit depending on duty location.

Government housing may be authorized depending on duty location and availability.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may or may not be authorized and is subject to availability and service unit approval. If offered, you will be required to sign at least a 12 month service agreement. Failure to fulfill the service agreement will result in repayment of the incentive.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit:
For IHS - https://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/
For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps

This position has promotion potential to the GS-10 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

If you meet the minimum qualifications requirements for this position, your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating selection procedures. Once the application process is complete, a review of your qualifications will be conducted to determine if you are qualified for this job. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The quality categories are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within each of these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-preference eligibles.

Please note that if, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your category rating can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questions. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume (your resume must state specific duties that relate to this position) and your responses to the assessment questions will be evaluated against the duties you provided in your resume, along with your submitted documentation to determine your ability to demonstrate the following:

  • Administration and Management
  • Attention to Detail
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Medical Technology
  • Oral Communication
  • Technical Competence
  • Technology Awareness

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11826488. All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 09/29/2023, to be considered.

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