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. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

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The Clinical Laboratory Scientist performs routine, specialized, advanced, and complex laboratory testing and related duties, including:

• Performs pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical testing activities.
• Evaluates specimen suitability, requests recollection when necessary, and prepares specimens while preserving their required characteristics.
• Prepares reagents and reference materials; assembles equipment; verifies instrument operation; and performs and calculates test results.
• Performs complex procedures, which may include special stains, microbiology, body-fluid analysis, cardiac testing, blood typing, and crossmatching.
• Evaluates test results, identifies discrepancies or unexpected findings, performs additional testing when needed, and applies scientific principles to resolve problems.
• Correlates laboratory findings with other laboratory and patient information to verify results and support accurate reporting.
• Recognizes and promptly reports abnormal or critical results requiring provider attention.
• Answers questions about test results, methods, sensitivity, specificity, and factors affecting results. Recommends follow-up testing when appropriate.
• Enters, edits, and verifies results in the laboratory information system and reviews them for clerical, analytical, or unusual findings.
• Operates, calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains laboratory equipment. Identifies malfunctions, performs preventive maintenance and limited minor repairs within scope, and refers other problems appropriately.
• Performs and documents quality control, quality assurance, and corrective actions. Maintains required records and applies statistical and performance-improvement principles when appropriate.
• Follows laboratory policies, testing procedures, regulatory requirements, and patient-safety standards.
• Assists with evaluating and implementing new equipment, methods, and procedures, including method comparisons and establishment or verification of reference intervals.
• Maintains adequate supplies and reagents, monitors expiration dates, and reports shortages or outdated materials.
• Maintains a clean and safe work environment and follows VHA, local, OSHA, HIPAA, biosafety, biosecurity, hazardous-materials, infection-prevention, life-safety, and emergency-management requirements.
• Resolves communication and service issues and refers matters outside the employee's authority to the appropriate supervisor.
• Communicates courteously with patients, providers, staff, students, and other healthcare team members.
• Provides technical guidance and assists with training new employees, lower-graded staff, and students. Participates in continuing education activities.
• Organizes work, sets priorities, meets deadlines, maintains required credentials, and completes competency requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Citizenship. Must be a United States citizen. Non-citizens may be appointed only when it is not possible to recruit qualified U.S. citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

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

Certification. Applicants must possess one of the following:

• Generalist certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) issued by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) or American Medical Technologists (AMT); OR
• Generalist certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) issued by ASCP or AMT.

Foreign Education. Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated and determined to be equivalent to an accredited U.S. program. Applicants with foreign education may qualify if:

• Their education has been evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program; or
• They provide documentation from ASCP-BOC or AMT indicating eligibility to sit for the certification examination.

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

Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09

Experience or Education: Applicants must possess one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level; OR
• A master's degree or two full 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:
(a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing.
(b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
(c) Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
(d) Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions.
(f) Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11

Experience or Education: Applicants must possess one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level; OR
• Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to 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:
(a) Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work.
(b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement.
(c) Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
(d) Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
(e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
(f) Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.
(g) Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education.

Preferred Experience: One year of microbiology experience is preferred.

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 position requires the ability to lift up to 20 pounds, pull and push, reach above shoulder level, and use both hands and fingers. It also requires walking, standing for up to four hours, kneeling, repeated bending, and using both arms and legs. Visual requirements include the use of both eyes, depth perception, and the ability to distinguish colors and shades. The position also requires hearing, with hearing aids permitted; the ability to read standard-size print without strain; clear communication; strong cognitive functioning; and emotional stability.

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.