Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees 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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• Perform routine, specialized, and complex laboratory testing on a variety of patient specimens.
• Analyze, interpret, validate, and report laboratory test results accurately and in a timely manner.
• Evaluate specimen acceptability and ensure proper collection, handling, processing, and preparation procedures are followed.
• Operate, calibrate, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform preventive maintenance on laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Identify testing problems, equipment malfunctions, and discrepancies, and take appropriate corrective action.
• Perform and monitor quality control and quality assurance activities to ensure accurate and reliable test results.
• Conduct additional or confirmatory testing as needed to clarify abnormal or unexpected findings.
• Recognize and promptly communicate critical laboratory results to healthcare providers.
• Provide technical guidance and consultation regarding testing procedures, specimen requirements, and test result interpretation.
• Assist with developing, evaluating, and implementing new laboratory methods, procedures, and instrumentation.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of testing, quality control, maintenance, and corrective actions.
• Review laboratory data to identify analytical errors, clerical errors, and unusual test results.
• Correlate laboratory findings with patient information to ensure accuracy and validity of results.
• Maintain adequate inventory levels of laboratory supplies and reagents and notify management of shortages or outdated materials.
• Assist in training and mentoring new employees, students, and other laboratory personnel.
• Work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to support quality patient care.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory accreditation, regulatory, and performance improvement standards.
• Follow established safety, infection control, biosafety, OSHA, HIPAA, and emergency management requirements.
• Maintain professional credentials and competency requirements.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 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 #: 51214-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 appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

Citizenship. Must be a citizen of the United States. 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 certifications:

• 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 by a recognized credentialing agency and determined to be equivalent to an accredited U.S. program.

Foreign education may be considered qualifying if:

• The education is determined to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program; OR
• The applicant provides documentation from ASCP-BOC or AMT confirming eligibility to sit for the certification examination.

Note: Possession of a qualifying ASCP or AMT certification satisfies the foreign education requirement.

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).

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.

Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12

Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, applicants must demonstrate:

• Knowledge of clinical laboratory science principles and practices sufficient to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of laboratory operations.
• Skill in maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing laboratory instrumentation.
• Ability to develop new laboratory testing procedures and modify existing methods to resolve complex technical problems.
• Ability to coordinate and manage daily workflow and assignments within a laboratory section.
• Ability to provide or coordinate staff training and professional development activities.
• Ability to provide guidance and technical consultation to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare personnel regarding testing procedures, specimen requirements, and interpretation of results.

Preferred Experience: Three years of chemistry experience.

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

This vacancy is above the full performance level.

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; clear communication; strong cognitive functioning; emotional stability; and the ability to read standard-size print without strain.

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.