Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to all U.S. Citizens. All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Due to provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7412, Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages, Veterans' Preference DOES NOT apply.

Videos

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Reviews and verifies Blood Bank test results, including off-hour and weekend work, ensuring compliance with CAP, CLIA, AABB, FDA, and Joint Commission standards.
• Directs and advises Blood Bank staff in correcting errors and notifies attending providers as appropriate.
• Assists the Supervisory CLS and Blood Bank Director in developing and executing the laboratory Quality Management Plan.
• Manages and disseminates directives, regulations, and inspection reports from FDA and accrediting agencies.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates quality control (QC) and proficiency testing programs; monitors corrective actions for identified deficiencies.
• Writes, updates, and maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other laboratory documentation to meet regulatory standards.
• Analyzes data and prepares reports on proficiency testing, audit results, adverse events, and corrective actions.
• Serves as a member of the Blood Utilization Review Committee, monitoring transfusion practices, adverse reactions, and utilization statistics.
• Generates and presents monthly transfusion and quality assurance reports to Medical Center leadership.
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts training programs for residents, new employees, and existing staff in accordance with quality requirements.
• Provides technical consultation and training to nursing and clinical staff regarding Blood Bank procedures and policies.
• Validates and implements changes to the Blood Bank computer package and provides technical oversight of computer data entry and LMIP reporting.
• Provides advanced technical guidance and troubleshooting for antibody identification, transfusion reaction workups, and instrument performance issues.
• Maintains appropriate inventory and supply levels, including procurement of blood and blood components per established contracts.
• Performs complex and specialized blood bank testing using manual and automated methods; validates results and correlates findings with clinical data.
• Ensures accuracy and validity of results through quality control and assurance programs; identifies and resolves instrument or assay problems.
• Adheres to biosafety and biosecurity regulations; maintains a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Participates in process improvement and performance improvement initiatives to enhance laboratory operations and service quality.
• Provides training and mentorship to students, technologists, and other laboratory personnel; may serve as acting supervisor in the absence of the Supervisory CLS.
• Maintains professional competency through continuing education, seminars, and certification requirements.
• Applies knowledge of laboratory regulatory, licensing, and accrediting standards to maintain compliance in all aspects of Blood Bank operations.
• Other limited duties included would be:
  • Performing tasks in the Clinical Testing Unit (CTU) on an irregular basis:
  • Performing phlebotomy
  • Accessioning and Processing
  • Being competent in Hematology, Coagulation, Special Hematology, and Blood Gas analysis
  • Performing limited tasks in Chemistry and Urinalysis

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 0700-1530/rotating weekends/holidays
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
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).
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)
Functional Statement #:93092-0
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Education:

• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.).
• Certification: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. OR Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.

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:

GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Full Performance)

This is the full performance level (FPL) for the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) position assigned to the Clinical Testing Unit, Microbiology, or Pathology department within P&LMS at Dayton VAMC, Dayton, Ohio. The incumbent must meet the basic requirements and the additional Experience or Education requirements as defined in the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard (GS-0644). The CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. The incumbent performs a variety of delicate and complex tests on biological specimens and serves as a generalist in medical technology with responsibility for performing procedures in all areas of Specimen Collection and Processing including send out testing, Chemistry, Immunochemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Blood Bank, Blood Gas, Urinalysis, Microbiology, Molecular, Histology, and Pathology.

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

How you will be evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.