Clinical Lab Scientist

This position is located in Pathology and Lab Medical Service, Boise VA Medical Center, Boise,  position serves as a generalist in clinical laboratory science with responsibility for performing procedures in the areas of Chemistry, Hematology/Coagulation, Urinalysis, Immunohematology, and Microbiology. The generalist Clinical Laboratory Scientist rotates with other generalists on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areas.

• United States Citizenship
  :
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education
  . A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
  
  NOTE:
  
  The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director), GS-15, requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below.
• 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.
• NOTE
  :
  Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer).
• (2)
  Exception for Non-Certified.
• (a) Applicants who do not currently hold valid certification may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certification if they meet one of the routes identified in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency.
• (b) Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
• (c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL.
• (d) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
• (e) Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.
• (3)
  Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, CLSs must actively work to meet requirements for certification starting from the date of their placement into the occupation. At the time of appointment, the Human Resources (HR) Office staff, in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide the employee with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline.
  
  Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in separation from employment.
• (4)
  Loss of Credential. If an employee fails to maintain the required certification, management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately remove the employee from duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation. This may also result in separation from employment.
• (5) If a CLS currently has, or ever had, their CLS certification revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status, HR Office…