Clinical Laboratory Scientist

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist with responsibility for performing routine, STAT 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. These employees are considered essential personnel.

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.
• Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification. Candidates must meet one of the certification options below:

1. Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT.
2. Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT.
3. Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT.

• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f).

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).

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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:

1. Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
2. If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements, employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted.
3. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
4. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
5. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations :

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07.

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09.

• Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:

1. Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR
2. Education. Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing.
2. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
3. Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
4. Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions.
6. Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11.

• Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:

1. Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR
2. 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.

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work.
2. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement.
3. Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
4. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
5. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
6. Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.
7. Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education.

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum of one year microbiology experience (for positions in the Microbiology Section)
• Minimum of one year of blood bank experience and, work as a generalist in the laboratory.

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

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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs, Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability and ability to read ordinary type without strain. 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: .