Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

• Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation
• Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures, recognizes deviation from expected results, and analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Recognizes and communicates pre-defined critical results affecting patient care
• Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimens 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 and locates and implements corrections
• Performs quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and 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
• 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 etc.) to verify results
• Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly
• Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system
• Performs venipunctures and collects other specimens as required
• Instructs, assists, and advises medical technicians, students, medical staff, and patients as necessary regarding questions including, but not limited to, patient testing, specimen collection, equipment, and ordering requirements
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program
• Adheres to all facility, local, state, and federal safety requirements
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines

2nd Shift (4:00 pm to Midnight) and 3rd Shift (Midnight - 8:00 am) rotating weekends and holidays

Not Authorized

Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Not required

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;
• 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.

• Basic Requirements
  • Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
  • 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.
  • (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…