Career Center

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (Path & Lab) at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center or Satellite Testing Sites as assigned and performs complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis - treatment - or prevention of disease in clinical laboratory specialties including - but not limited to - Hematology - Chemistry - Microbiology - Immunology - and post-analytical phases of clinical laboratory testing.

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. 7043 (f) Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification
• (1) Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• (a) Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• (b) Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• (c) 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
• 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 certification identified in 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• Grade Determinations:Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07.(1) Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements.(2) 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
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-09.(1) 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
• OR (b) Education
• Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science
• (2) Assignment
• 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
• In addition to meeting the experience or education - applicants must also possess the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: (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
• (1) 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.(2) Assignment
• 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
• The CLS assesses a situation - considers the options - and formulates an appropriate course of action
• This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures - collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients - and providing education for laboratory health care professionals
• In addition to meeting the experience or education - applicants must also possess the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: (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
• 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-07 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 45 lbs
• Straight pulling
• pushing - reaching above the shoulder - use of fingers and both hands (grasping)
• Walking - frequent standing (i.e
• up to 4 hours)
• Kneeling repeated bending and use of both arms and legs and repetitive motion
• Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes and depth perception
• Ability to distinguish colors anti shades of colors - hearing (aids permitted)
• Clear high cognitive function and emotional stability
• Ability to read ordinary type without strain.

Duties

• GS-7 (Entry) -Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimen for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• -Selects - performs - evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• locates and implements corrections
• -Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports
• -Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly
• -Documents and maintain all quality control - maintenance - and corrective action logs
• performs instrument to instrument correlations - new reagents and control validations and all other technical procedures required to maintain laboratory compliance
• -Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures
• Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e. - history - medications) to verify results
• -Calibrates - standardizes - adjusts and maintains instruments
• Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring
• Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs
• GS-09 -Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimen for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• -Selects - performs - evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• locates and implements corrections -Performs review of manually entered laboratory results in the Laboratory Information System (LIS)
• -Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly
• -Successfully performs proficiency surveys - linearity studies and other intra-laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency which is rotated through all technical staff performing the test
• -Clinical Laboratory Scientists trained as primary operators assume all the responsibilities and primary operator duties assigned by the Supervisor
• -Maintains records and documentation in compliance with required rules and regulations of regulatory and accrediting agencies and organizations
• -Assists the Supervisors in ensuring proper preparation for inspections and accreditation by the applicable accrediting agencies: i.e - American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) - College of American Pathologists (CAP) - Joint Commission and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• -Reviews all new procedures - initially and annually thereafter - documenting knowledge of and that they follow the procedure
• Adapts to new instrumentation and new procedures
• -Accessions patient orders - performs phlebotomy and collects samples in accordance with laboratory procedures
• -Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports
• GS-11 (Full Performance Level) -Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis - requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimen for analysis - ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained
• -Selects - performs - evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• locates and implements corrections
• -Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - reagents - and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports
• -Calibrates - standardizes - adjusts and maintains instruments
• Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring
• Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs
• -Demonstrates sound judgment and wise decision-making skills through testing and reporting of laboratory results
• -Assists in special projects - delegated assignments - and any other duties as assigned by the supervisor
• -Practices safe work habits as outlined in departmental and VA wide policies and procedures
• -The Clinical Laboratory Scientist plans and carries out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignment and handles problems and corrects errors in accordance with established protocols and acceptable clinical laboratory practices
• OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday
• 2200-0800 - rotating weekends and holidays