Summary Serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center or Satellite Testing Sites (i.e. Health Care Center) as assigned. Responsibilities The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) carries out all of the testing responsibilities of the full performance level but has higher levels of professional responsibilities, expertise, and authority for a specific department (i.e. Core Lab, Microbiology, or Blood Bank) and will rotate with other CLS's within the department. Has professional oversight responsibilities and responsibility for specific large scale automated analytical instrument systems; a specific area of laboratory functions, supply functions, quality control review, new method development, and employee or student training; and provide professional and technical advice to other technicians and CLS's on all shifts. The duties and responsibilities of the Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist includes but are not limited to the following: Performs all of the duties outlined in this functional statement in the Hematology and Chemistry department at the Medical Center and Health Care Centers. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepares specimen 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; locates and implements corrections. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and documents/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. Documents and maintain all quality control, maintenance, and corrective action logs; performs instrument to instrument correlations, new reagents and control validations and all other technical procedures required to maintain laboratory compliance. 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) 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. Tracks down "missing" tubes, samples and follows protocol for reordering tests with appropriate documentation. 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. Successfully performs CAP surveys, linearity studies and other intra-laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency which is rotated through all technical staff performing the test. Reviews proficiency testing results prior to submitting to CAP. When equipment, control and/or calibrator problems present themselves, is able to troubleshoot and work with the manufacturer's hotline technicians to correct repairable problems. Documents corrective action in "corrective action logs". Performs and documents daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance on analyzers. Participates in quality and performance improvement activities by collecting and reporting data as requested by the supervisor or performance improvement coordinator. Serves as a primary operator and assumes all the responsibilities and primary operator duties assigned by the supervisor. Reviews all new procedures, initially and annually thereafter, documenting knowledge of and that they follow the procedure. Adapts to new instrumentation and new procedures. Plans and carries out the procedures necessary to complete the work assignment and handles problems and corrects errors in accordance with established protocols and acceptable clinical laboratory practices. Performs other directly related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. Rotating weekends and holiday. Also works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demand. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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; and 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. 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. 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 in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or in a related science (for example, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.) Certification. - 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. 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). Experience. At least 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following: - Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice. - Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation. - Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. - Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section. - Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training. - Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing, sitting, transporting samples between work areas, stretching, reaching, bending and lifting of reagents/supplies for instruments. Moderate risks of discomfort associated with working in a clinical laboratory with regular and recurrent possible exposure to hazards such as infectious, chemical and/or environmental agents. Safety guidelines on safe equipment operation must be adhered to. There is possibility of constant stress and mental pressure to complete all testing in an accurate and timely manner for quality patient care. Education 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
