Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This announcement is opened to current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees and all U.S. citizens. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified applicants).

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This position is located in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center.

Duties includes but are not limited to:

• Independently performs complex routine and specialized testing across multiple laboratory disciplines (chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, immunohematology) using both automated and manual methods.
• Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates laboratory procedures and results in alignment with current regulatory requirements.
• Conducts quality control, proficiency checks, calibrations, and routine instrument maintenance; identifies irregularities, documents findings, and resolves or escalates issues as appropriate.
• Applies advanced technical judgment to assess the validity of test results, correlate abnormal data with potential pathological conditions, and determine when additional testing is required.
• Performs troubleshooting and advanced maintenance on laboratory instruments and analyzers, documenting corrective actions and coordinating service when needed.
• Completes testing on a wide variety of biological specimens and environmental samples, ensuring accuracy, precision, and compliance with laboratory protocols.
• Serves in specialized roles such as laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator for new test systems, quality control specialist, supply coordinator, or competency/proficiency program lead.
• Participates in limited lab informatics activities, including data flow support, LIS processes, and ancillary testing oversight.
• Organizes workload, set priorities, and makes technical decisions with broad independent judgment, and with minimal supervision.
• Assesses complex situations, evaluates options, and determines appropriate courses of action to maintain workflow and result accuracy..
• Monitors quality systems, identifies trends or deviations, and initiates or recommends performance improvement measures.
• Collaborates with healthcare providers in the diagnostic process by delivering accurate, timely laboratory data and communicating critical or clinically significant results.
• Provides education and guidance to laboratory personnel, trainees, healthcare staff, and the public in a professional and effective manner.
• Performs accessioning, specimen collection, and ensures proper handling and processing of samples.
• Ensures reflex testing and follow-up procedures are completed in accordance with established protocols.
• Maintains complete documentation and records as required for regulatory compliance, patient care, and lab accreditation standards.
• Participates in continuous improvement activities by documenting errors and supportive corrective actions.
• Provides dependable bench coverage until relieved and supports laboratory operations across shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Performs Contracting Officer's Representative and fund control point duties as assigned.
• Executes other duties as assigned to support laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and patient care.

Work Schedule: 3:30p.m.-12Midnight, Monday through Friday with rotating weekends and holidays. (Work schedule is subject to change based on agency needs).
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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 #: 59135F/59094F/59095F
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 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

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.
• Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification where applicable. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply.
• 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. OR
  • The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination. Note: Possession of a certification identified above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.
• Physical Requirements. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

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, candidate must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified.

GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist:

• 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.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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: This is considered FPL for a CLS. A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The CLS develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements. The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods. In addition to routine testing, the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity of test results, and the need for additional tests. Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control, and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program. This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing. These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. T

GS-9 Clinical Laboratory Scientist:

• 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. OR
  • Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing.
  • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
  • Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
  • Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
  • Ability to read and interpret written instructions.
  • Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.
• Assignment. An individual at this grade level serves as a developmental CLS. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. The CLS demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods. This includes routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation, and troubleshooting that applies innovative procedures and problem solving. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance. Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level. It is expected that a CLS at this grade performs more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the entry level

GS-7 Clinical Laboratory Scientist:

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Assignment. Employee at this level serves in a CLS entry-level position. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily direct supervision.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9.

How you will be evaluated

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

• 1st Area of Consideration - current permanent Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center;
• 2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration employees;
• 3rd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees;
• 4th Area of Consideration - all other applicants.

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.