Clinical Laboratory Scientist; Technical Specialist - Blood Bank

Overview

Summary The VISN 22 Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (PALMS) is looking for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank Technical Specialist) for the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 23 March 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred at regular intervals or as vacancies become available. This announcement can be taken down at any time.

Qualifications

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:
  Must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Education:
  
  A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification:
  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)
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: (1) Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency - and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program
• OR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination
• NOTE:
  
  Possession of a certification identified in "Certification" above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• 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:
  Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) GS-12
  
  Experience:
  
  Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) which is directly related to the position to be filled
• This is required for all GS-12 assignments
• Examples of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11):
  Develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements
• Performs a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry - microbiology - immunology - hematology - and immunohematology
• Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods
• In addition to routine testing - conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting
• Correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states - determines the validity of test results - and the need for additional tests
• Performs targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer - analyzer…