Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Employer:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Location:

Baltimore, MD

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) with responsibility for performing routine and STAT work and specialized work in the areas of Chemistry, Hematology/Coagulation, Urinalysis, Immunohematology, Immunochemistry, Electrophoresis, Serology and/or Microbiology. He/she may also work off‑hour irregular tours – weekends, holidays – and stand‑by and/or on‑call as priorities demonstrate a need.

• Evaluate the suitability of specimens for analysis – request a new specimen if determined to be unusable.
• Prepare specimens for analysis – ensuring proper specimen properties are maintained.
• Calibrate, standardize, adjust and maintain instruments.
• Evaluate and set up new instrumentation and tests – including method correlations, linearity, precision and accuracy studies.
• Select, perform, evaluate and monitor test performance using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols.
• Recognize and react to indicators of malfunction – locate and implement corrections.
• Identify causes of common problems and make simple repairs.
• Perform additional testing to clarify or confirm abnormal test results.
• Recognize abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and report them directly.
• Enter and verify laboratory test results from the work area into the laboratory computer system.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Work schedule:
  
  Monday – Friday, 08:00 a.m. – 04:30 p.m.

• United States Citizenship; non‑citizens may only be appointed when not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• Education:
  
  A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification:
  Must meet one of the options – Generalist certification as an MLS (ASCP BOC, AMT) or as an MT (ASCP BOR, AMT) or categorical/specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.
• English language proficiency – spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f).
• Eligible under the Grandfathering Provision for current VHA employees who meet the criteria.
• Grade determinations (GS‑11):
  Experience – 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, or Education – 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:
  Demonstrate knowledge of professional laboratory science principles, quality control and assurance, informatics, instrumentation maintenance, technical judgment, interpretation of complex written instructions, communication, consulting and customer service.
• Preferred experience:
  
  Minimum of one year experience working in Clinical Chemistry and Reference Lab (Send Out).
• Physical requirements as specified in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

• Base pay range: $99,482.00/yr – $/yr. Competitive salary and regular increases.
• Other benefits:
  Paid time off (37–50 days per year), parental leave (up to 12 weeks after 12 months of employment), child‑care subsidy (eligible for full‑time employees with total family income below $144,000).
• Retirement:
  Traditional federal pension and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Health and insurance:
  Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long‑term care; many can be carried into retirement.
• Telework or virtual:
  Not available.

• Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).
• Functional Statement #: GS‑11 512‑25442‑F.