Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Summary

This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until September 30 - 2026.

• 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
• NOTE:
  
  The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director) - GS-15 - requires unique education requirements
• Certification:
  Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT OR Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT OR 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)
• 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)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/

• 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
    • Education:
      
      Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science
• 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
    • 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
  • Preferred Experience:
    
    Experience in Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, and Microbiology
  • Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities
    • Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound independent work
    • Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement
    • Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes
    • Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation
    • Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyse and interpret laboratory results
    • Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions
    • Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team – external relations, customer service, and patient education

• 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

This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending,…