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 individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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.

• 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:
  Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• Education:
  
  A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification:
  Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT
• Exception for Non-Certified
• 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 VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G24 that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency
• 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)
• Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL
• Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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:
  In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
• 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:
  
  Experience:
  
  1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• OR
  
  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:
  Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance
• Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions
• 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:
  
  Experience:
  
  1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR
  
  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:
  Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory…