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Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Health Institutes

Summary

The Clinical Center Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Clinical Center Department of Transfusion Medicine, and The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases are looking to select multiple candidates for Clinical Laboratory Scientists. Selections will be made for multiple specialty areas including but not limited to: Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Immunology, Sterility, Blood Banking, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA), and Quality.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/16/2026 to 04/20/2026
Salary
$64,564 - $111,087 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Locations
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Phoenix, AZ
Montgomery County, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NIH-CC-SR-26-12897080
Control number
863716500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration. This job is also open to USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers and Call-To-Active Duty (CAD) Candidates.

Duties

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The NIH Clinical Center Department of Laboratory Medicine (DLM) located in Bethesda, MD offers laboratory diagnostic support in the areas of immunology, hematology, phlebotomy, microbiology and chemistry. DLM is designated by the CAP as a full service laboratory and serves as the clinical laboratory for all in/out-patient testing for the Clinical Center and NIH Institutes.

The NIH Clinical Center Department of Transfusion Medicine (DTM) located in Bethesda, MD works to achieve the goals of the Clinical Center (CC) and the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP). DTM includes an FDA-licensed blood-collecting facility, a licensed transfusion service, and diagnostic testing laboratories.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Phoenix Epidemiology & Clinical Research Branch (PECRB), Clinical Laboratory Services is a CLIA certified moderate complexity laboratory that performs clinical laboratory testing in support of all clinical research protocols performed at the Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch in Phoenix Arizona.

As a GS-0644-09/11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist, your duties will include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Receives and evaluates adequacy of clinical specimens for testing, including specimen identification and integrity. Processes specimens for testing.
  • Performs specialized and technically demanding analytical procedures for diagnostic and research purposes. Identifies and addresses issues in testing that may affect results, such as interfering substances, disease conditions, limitations of the test procedure, or other problems in the test system.
  • Reports laboratory results using the laboratory and/or hospital information system. Communicates STAT and urgent results directly to the patient care team.
  • Participates in laboratory proficiency testing programs.
  • Develops procedures and establishes parameters for correlation of test results and determines troubleshooting protocols.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period.
  • Tier 1 Emergency Essential Personnel.
  • Position requires Education, transcripts required.
  • Physical Requirement: Requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing and walking, bending over instruments and microscopes, and lifting light to moderately heavy items such as reagent packs and various supplies.
  • The work environment involves regular and recurring exposure to infectious agents such as hepatitis, HIV and to noxious and flammable liquids such as xylene and formalin.
  • Clinical Laboratory Scientist are required to use protective clothing such as lab coats, goggles, gloves, and must follow all Universal Safety precautions. Technologists work in a Biohazard Level 2 facility.
  • Incumbents working with radioactive sources such as those found in blood irradiators will be required to complete a background security check to be certified as trustworthy and reliable by Division of Radiation Safety and DPSAC.
  • If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases.
  • May be required to work weekends, evenings, nights, or holidays as indicated by specific duties. Positions may also be subject to on-call.
  • At the supervisor’s discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities such as Alternative Work Schedules.
  • The pay range for each grade is as follows in Montgomery County, MD: The pay range for the GS-9 is $70,623 - $91,815 The pay range for the GS-11 is $85,447 - $111,087
  • The pay range for each grade is as follows in Phoenix, AZ: The pay range for the GS-9 is $64,564 - $83,938 The pay range for the GS-11 is $78,117 - $101,558
  • A one year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.

Qualifications

You qualify if you meet the following qualification requirements:

Basic Requirements

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. This combination of education and experience must have provided knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of medical technology equivalent to that provided by the full 4-year course of study described in 1 or 2 above. All science and mathematics courses must have been acceptable for credit toward meeting the requirements for a science major at an accredited college or university. Acceptable experience is responsible professional or technician 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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for the GS-09 position:
You must have completed two (2) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree that is directly related to the duties of this position.

OR

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following tasks: Reviewing and evaluating clinical laboratory procedures; recognizing problems such as interfering substances and new organisms; performing specialized and technically demanding analytical procedures for diagnostic and research purposes; performing Quality Assurance functions in support of laboratory supervisor; recognizing deficiencies and proposing solutions; participating in laboratory proficiency testing programs; evaluating, modifying or adapting new methods or revising standard techniques to improve quantitativeness, accuracy, precision, specificity or proficiency of analyses.

OR

You must have a combination of post-baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

To qualify for the GS-11 position: You must have completed three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctorate degree that is directly related to the duties of this position.

OR

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following tasks: Performing specialized and technically demanding analytical procedures for diagnostic and research purposes; identifying and addressing issues in testing that may affect results, such as interfering substances, disease condition, limitations of the test procedure, or other problems in the test system; interacting directly with patient care physicians in discussing the interpretation of test results and suggesting follow up procedures which may help answer clinical questions; coordinating laboratory activities to minimize duplication of services; creating and updating written standard operating procedures and training laboratory personnel in laboratory procedures.

OR

You must have a combination of post-baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12897080

Education

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. Click here for information on Foreign Education.



Additional information

  • This position is designated as an "emergency essential" position and the selected candidate will be considered an "emergency essential" employee and will be required to be available, ready, willing, and able to report for duty under all circumstances for operation 24 hours a day and 365 days per year coverage.
  • NIH may repay certain outstanding Federally insured student loans to facilitate the recruitment and retention of highly qualified people. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need and budget limitations.
  • A newly appointed or reappointed employee may receive service credit for prior work experience or active duty uniformed service that otherwise would not be creditable for the purpose of determining his or her annual leave accrual rate. All creditable service must be directly related to the duties of the position being filled and decisions to allow for such credit must be finalized prior to the selectee's entrance on duty. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
  • A newly appointed or reappointed individual may receive a recruitment incentive. Recipients will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on organizational need, specific case justification, and budget limitations.
  • If selected, you may be eligible to receive a salary above the minimum based on superior qualifications and/or a special need of the Government for your services. This applies to employees paid under the General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) pay systems and is at the discretion of the hiring manager. A salary above the minimum must be approved before the appointment.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
  • Visit our Help Applying page for helpful information on the application process.
  • If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information.
  • We may make additional selections for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s). Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and your responses to the assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
  • Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
  • Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
  • Qualified - for those who meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants.

How You Will Be Evaluated
To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 80 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems. NIH employs approximately 18,000 employees in varied occupations, all supporting research efforts that improve health and save lives. For more information on NIH's mission and goals, and its 27 Institutes and Centers, visit the NIH website.

Virtually explore the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and get to know NIH community members who are working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/.

Agency contact information

NIH HR Service Desk Branch E
Email
ohrcsdbranchesrvdsk@od.nih.gov
Address
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US

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