Overview
Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Tacoma, WA
At Madigan you will practice alongside civilian and military health care experts and experience unique professional opportunties. Our staff serves by caring for our military but are not subject to military requirements. We operate within safe staffing standards - giving you time to provide exceptional care.
Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on the Puget Sound, in Washington State, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is near the city of Lakewood, 10 minutes from Tacoma and 20 minutes from Olympia, the state capitol. JBLM is situated in a key location along Interstate 5, allowing easy access to Seattle, Tacoma, and the welcoming neighboring communities. Although the Army and Air Force missions have changed over the years, one thing has not changed-the natural setting of the base. Majestic Mount Rainier looms on the horizon, towering over the other peaks of the Cascade Range. From the mountains to the deep waters of Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean, the local areas abound in natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. Camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and new sports are a way of life in Washington State.
Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/
Responsibilities
Major Duties:
Serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) in Core Laboratory Services with responsibility for performing a variety of procedures including complex analyses and low-frequency procedures; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; and setting up and monitoring quality controls.
Selects the procedures which are appropriate for the request for service and congruent with patient considerations. Processes specimens using equipment, instruments, or techniques that are necessary to prepare them for specific analysis; controls physical conditions; responds to time factors to insure that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained. Prepares reagents, assembles equipment, verifies correct instrument operation; standardizes, performs, and calculates results for a variety of tests. Identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions which cause erroneous results (instrument malfunctions, conditions of test performance, reaction systems, and/or test procedures used). Takes appropriate action to make corrections and solve problems. Conducts literature search if indicated. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic data with other laboratory data and/or other patient data (history, physical findings, medications) to verify results. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results and reports results. Reports findings, discussing results with supervisor(s) and physicians as appropriate. Performs routine and specialized procedures in microbiology, chemistry, hematology, immunohematology and related sub-specialties utilizing appropriate testing platforms and methodologies. Records results through a variety of data entry modes into laboratory computer systems, and retrieves information from the computer upon physician requests. Assists in updating procedure manuals, performs inventory, rotates stock, and maintains necessary records. Seeks and uses safety information and standard precautions necessary for proper handling of laboratory specimens and appropriate action to contain spills and perform decontamination procedures.
Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains applicable instrumentation. Verifies correct instrument operation using established protocols and quality control procedures. Identifies cause of problems and makes simple repairs. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents and products. Maintains proper records for quality control reports.
Performs developmental work to include setting up new tests and/or adapting manual tests to automatic processing. Searches scientific literature or manufacturer's texts for a method that meets objectives established by the supervisor. Performs the analyses or test, evaluating the method and results to determine if objectives were met. Modifies the method, if necessary, to solve problems or make improvements. Establishes normal ranges for new tests and writes instructions for others to follow.
Provides bench instructions for students, residents and other staff assigned for cross training. Insures pertinent techniques are demonstrated and observes work in progress for evaluation purposes.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
US Citizenship required
Must have at least 1 year of licensed experience at the time of application
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES: Other significant facts pertaining to this position are:
US Citizenship required
Basic Requirement for Clinical Laboratory Scientist:
A. A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science, chemistry and mathematics, AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
OR
B. At least a full 4-year course of study that included 12 months in a college or hospital-based medical technology program or medical technology school approved by a recognized accrediting organization. The professional medical technology curriculum may have consisted of a 1-year post- bachelor's certificate program or the last 1 or 2 years of a 4-year program of study culminating in a bachelor's in medical technology.
OR
C. A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from an accredited college/university that included 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND five years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, microbiology, Immunology and Urinalysis/Body Fluids. This combination of education and experience must have provided knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of medical technology equivalent to that provided by the full 4-year course of study described in A or B above. All science and mathematics courses must have been acceptable for credit toward meeting the requirements for a science major at an accredited college or university. Acceptable experience is responsible professional or technician experience in a hospital laboratory, health agency, industrial medical laboratory, or pharmaceutical house; or teaching, test development, or medical research program experience that provided an understanding of the methods and techniques applied in performing professional clinical laboratory work. Certification/licensure as a medical technologist (generalist) obtained through written examination by a nationally recognized credentialing agency or State licensing body is a good indication that the quality of experience is acceptable.
Evaluation of Education and Experience: The four major areas of clinical laboratory science are microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, and immunohematology (blood banking). Qualifying course work in these areas includes bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, tissue culture, virology, parasitology, endocrinology, enzymology, toxicology, urinalysis, coagulation, hemostasis, cell morphology, immunology, serology, immunoserology, immuno-deficiency, hemolysis, histocompatibility, cyto-genetics, and similar disciplines or areas of laboratory practice.Related fields include physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, cell biology, embryology, pathology, genetics, pharmacology, histology, cytology, nuclear medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, infection control, physics, statistics, and similar areas of science where the work is directly related to the position to be filled.
Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0644 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017, or before. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes performing testing in a clinical laboratory, monitoring quality control in a clinical laboratory, and maintaining clinical laboratory equipment. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
OR
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: medical technology, chemistry, biology or education that is directly related to the position.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.
AND
Certification: Certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Medical Technologist (AMT) or other board or registry deemed comparable by Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (OASD(HA)) or their designee as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) is required.
Apply for this Job Online (https://careers-civilianmedicaljobs.icims.com/jobs/9108/clinical-laboratory-scientist--%28gs-11%29/job?mode=apply&apply=yes&in_iframe=1&hashed=-336268516)
Location US-WA-TACOMA
Job ID 2026-9108
Positions 2
Category Medical
Salary Range GS-11
