Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and current/past/upcoming VHA Health Professions Trainee (HPT) Graduates. Veterans' Preference is not applicable to this occupational series. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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• Performs a wide range of laboratory procedures, from routine to advanced complex testing; identifies and resolves testing issues using scientific principles.
• Executes all testing phases (pre-analytical, analytical, post-analytical); verifies specimen suitability and proper processing.
• Prepares specimens, reagents, and equipment; ensures instrument functionality; performs complex testing (e.g., body fluid differentials, special stains, cardiac panels, microbiology, blood bank).
• Maintains, calibrates, troubleshoots, and documents laboratory instruments; conducts preventive maintenance and minor repairs.
• Implements quality control and quality assurance measures; maintains records, validates data, and institutes corrective action as necessary.
• Integrates laboratory findings with clinical data; performs and interprets additional/confirmatory testing; promptly reports critical values.
• Responds to inquiries on test results, methodologies, and interpretations; recommends follow-up testing as appropriate.
• Supports evaluation and implementation of new techniques and instrumentation; performs method comparisons and provides recommendations.
• Accurately manages lab results in the information system; identifies and corrects clerical or analytical errors.
• Ensures compliance with biosafety, biosecurity, OSHA, HIPAA, VHA, and local safety directives; maintains a safe, organized work environment.
• Monitors and manages laboratory supplies; communicates needs to leadership.
• Collaborates with other services to resolve issues; escalates complex matters to supervisors.
• Provides professional, effective communication and delivers outstanding customer service to clinicians, patients, and stakeholders.
• Trains and mentors new staff, students, and lower-graded personnel; supports educational programs and continuing education.
• Manages workload, prioritizes tasks, meets deadlines, and exercises independent judgment.
• Maintains professional credentials and performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 3:30pm-Midnight, with rotating weekends and holidays.
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).
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 #: 60601-A, 60602-A, 60603-A

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.
• 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

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

Citizenship. Candidates must be citizens of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited, in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university is required.

Certification.

1. Candidates must meet one of the following certification options:
   • Generalist certification as an MLS from ASCP BOC or AMT.
   • Generalist certification as an MT from ASCP BOR or AMT.
2. Exception for Non-Certified Applicants
   • Applicants may be hired without current certification if they meet one of the eligibility routes in Appendix A to sit for the MLS certification exam through ASCP BOC or AMT.
   • Non-certified applicants who meet licensure eligibility may receive a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
   • Non-certified individuals must work under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the Full Performance Level (FPL).
   • Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and cannot be promoted or converted until certification is obtained.
   • Temporary appointments for non-certified CLSs may not exceed two years and cannot be renewed or converted into another temporary appointment.

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).

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:

1. 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; OR
2. The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination.

Note: Possession of a qualifying certification listed in section 4c automatically validates foreign education equivalency.

English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English, in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).


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

1. Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09

1. Experience or Education: Candidates must meet one of the following:
   1. One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-07; OR
   2. A master's degree or two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a closely related science.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
   • Knowledge of clinical laboratory testing policies and procedures.
   • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
   • Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
   • Ability to work effectively as a team member and 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

1. Experience or Education: Candidates must meet one of the following:
   1. One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09; OR
   2. Three full years of progressively higher graduate education, a Ph.D., or an equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a related science.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
   • Knowledge of advanced professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories supporting independent work.
   • Knowledge of laboratory quality control, quality assurance, and performance improvement.
   • Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
   • Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory 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 effectively with healthcare team members, external partners, customers, and patients.

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: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting (up to 20 lbs.), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, and use of fingers and both hands. Duties require walking and standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, and use of both arms and legs. Visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, and the ability to distinguish colors and shades. Hearing (aids permitted), clear cognitive function, emotional stability, and the ability to read ordinary type without strain are also required.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.