Summary The Laboratory Service is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System at the Charleston, South Carolina. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and Tasks GS-7/9/11:Duties :This is considered the full performance level for a CLS. A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. Rotation through all the laboratory sections is performed on a regular basis. Accession samples and requests with appropriate documentation of any issues as applicable to each work area. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be defective. Prepare specimens for analysis, ensuring the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. Performs tests that are authorized by the laboratory director and require a degree of skill commensurate with the individual's education, training, or experience. Follow the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results. 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 on new test systems, quality control, and coordination of the laboratory competency assessment and proficiency/survey program. Responsible for monitoring test analyses and specimen examination to ensure that acceptable levels of analytic performances are maintained. Assist the Technical Specialist, Lead CLS, and Supervisory CLS in conducting periodic inventory of supplies and adequate reagents and consumables. Assists with preparation for external reviews (The Joint Commission, Office of Inspector General, College of American Pathologists etc.) by reviewing regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency requirements for compliance within the work area. Records new lot numbers of materials and maintain records of when each reagent lot number was put into use. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday with Rotating weekends and holidays Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus):Authorized Relocation Incentive-:Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA EDRP Program Support VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases `When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:GS 7, 59435F, GS-9, -59438F,GS-11, 59438F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. You may be required to serve a trial period. 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 of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications BASIC REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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. Assignment. An individual at this grade level serves as a developmental CLS. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. The CLS demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods. This includes routine testing, quality control, routine maintenance of instrumentation, and troubleshooting that applies innovative procedures and problem solving. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance. Assignments at this level will include developmental duties of increasing scope and diversity as compared to the entry level. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below. Certification.(1) 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). Exception for Non-Certified.(a) 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 in Appendix A that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency. (b) 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). (c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL. (d) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (e) Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). GS-07. Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must possess a degree in medical technology or clinical laboratory science. Refer to VA Handbook 5005, Staffing, Part II, Appendix G24, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-0644. OR Education. Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science. 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. GS-11. Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Refer to VA Handbook 5005, Staffing, Part II, Appendix G24, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-0644. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing.(b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.(c) Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.(d) Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.(e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions.(f) Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing. 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 or 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 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.
