Clinical lab scientist

Summary

This is the full performance level (FPL) for the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) position assigned to the Clinical Testing Unit, Microbiology, or Pathology department within P&LMS at Dayton VAMC, Dayton, Ohio. The incumbent must meet the basic requirements and the additional Experience or Education requirements as defined in the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard (GS-0644).

Duties

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VA Careers - Microbiology/Molecular Clinical Laboratory Scientist: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Preferred Experience: A minimum of two years of microbiology experience, including organism identification using both manual methods and automated analyzers, as well as antibiotic susceptibility reporting.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: The CLS serves as a Technical Specialist CLS, providing expert authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests that require special knowledge.

• Perform a wide range of routine and specialized laboratory tests in Chemistry, Hematology, Urinalysis, Coagulation, Blood Bank, Microbiology, Molecular, Histology, and Pathology.
• Collect and prepare biological specimens; evaluate suitability and ensure proper handling to maintain integrity.
• Operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments; perform minor repairs as needed.
• Monitor and document quality control systems; ensure compliance with CAP, Joint Commission, CLIA, and VA standards.
• Analyze, interpret, and validate test results; correlate findings with patient history and clinical data; promptly report critical values.
• Generate and verify laboratory results in the computer system; maintain accurate data entry and recordkeeping.
• Participate in process improvement, method validation, and implementation of new laboratory procedures and technologies.
• Train and mentor laboratory staff, students, and other healthcare professionals; conduct in-service sessions.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and reagents to ensure efficient operations.
• Adhere to biosafety, infection control, and data security policies; ensure compliance with privacy and safety regulations.
• Provide professional, courteous service to patients, staff, and healthcare teams; demonstrate sensitivity to patient age, culture, and individual needs.
• Maintain professional competency through continuing education and required VA training.
  
  

Work Schedule : Work Schedule : Rotating schedule with weekends & Holidays

Functional Statement # : 93086-0

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Requirements

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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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  
  

Qualifications

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: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.
  
  

Education :

• Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.).
• Certification: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. OR Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
  
  

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 :

GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Specialist- Microbiology

GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Full Performance)

This is the full performance level (FPL) for the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) position assigned to the Clinical Testing Unit, Microbiology, or Pathology department within P&LMS at Dayton VAMC, Dayton, Ohio. The incumbent must meet the basic requirements and the additional Experience or Education requirements as defined in the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard (GS-0644). The CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. The incumbent performs a variety of delicate and complex tests on biological specimens and serves as a generalist in medical technology with responsibility for performing procedures in all areas of Specimen Collection and Processing including send out testing, Chemistry, Immunochemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Blood Bank, Blood Gas, Urinalysis, Microbiology, Molecular, Histology, and Pathology.

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.

Demonstrated 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 judgement to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
• Ability to read and 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.
  
  

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is 11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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