Clarification from the agency

Open to the public. *Staffing shortage occupation for Fiscal Year 2026. In accordance with VA policy, Veterans' Preference does not apply to this recruitment.* NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist performs complex testing, evaluates and validates results, maintains and troubleshoots instrumentation, and supports quality assurance to ensure accurate diagnostic data in support of patient care. Works independently at the full performance level in an evening/night shift role.

Primary Duties
- Perform, evaluate, and interpret complex laboratory tests using manual and automated methods.
- Validate accuracy of results and correlate abnormal findings with clinical conditions.
- Conduct quality control, proficiency testing, and participate in quality improvement activities.
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation.
- Ensure compliance with laboratory regulatory standards.
- Support specimen processing, workflow coordination, and documentation requirements.
- Provide technical guidance, assist with training, and serve as a resource to staff during assigned shift.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 3:00pm - 11:00pm, occasional rotating nights and weekends
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 41740F
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact V8_EDRP_WPB@va.gov., the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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 identification 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

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.

Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following:
Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency, and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program.

• Certification-Candidates must meet one of the certification options below.
  • Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
  • Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
  • Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.

EXCEPTION for Non-Certified Applicants

• Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency.
• Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
• Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL.
• Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level (GS-07 level) and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
• Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.

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).

Grandfathering : See "Additional Information" for specific information regarding the Grandfathering Provision.

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 the grade level specified.

GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience -OR- Education -AND- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Full Performance Level)

• 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 (GS-09). -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.

-AND-

• Certification. Certification is REQUIRED at this level.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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.

Assignment. A CLS at this full performance level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. Please review the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard - GS-0644 for additional details of the assignment at the GS-11 Grade Level.

Preferred Experience: At least 1 year of Blook Bank experience.

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-7 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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.