Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (Path & Lab) at the Wilmington VA Medical Center or Satellite Testing Sites as assigned and performs complex laboratory diagnostic testing on human specimens for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease in clinical laboratory specialties including, but not limited to, Hematology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, and post-analytical phases of clinical laboratory testing.

Responsibilities:

GS-7 (Entry):

• 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.
• Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results.
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly.
• 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.
• 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.

GS-09:

• 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.
• Performs review of manually entered laboratory results in the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results.
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly.
• Successfully performs proficiency surveys, linearity studies and other intra-laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency which is rotated through all technical staff performing the test.
• Clinical Laboratory Scientists trained as primary operators assume all the responsibilities and primary operator duties assigned by the Supervisor.
• Maintains records and documentation in compliance with required rules and regulations of regulatory and accrediting agencies and organizations.
• Assists the Supervisors in ensuring proper preparation for inspections and accreditation by the applicable accrediting agencies: i.e, American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Reviews all new procedures, initially and annually thereafter, documenting knowledge of and that they follow the procedure. Adapts to new instrumentation and new procedures.
• Accessions patient orders, performs phlebotomy and collects samples in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports.

GS-11 (Full Performance Level):

• 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.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and wise decision-making skills through testing and reporting of laboratory results.
• Assists in special projects, delegated assignments, and any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Practices safe work habits as outlined in departmental and VA wide policies and procedures.
• The Clinical Laboratory Scientist 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday; 9:30am-6:00pm

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.

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.
• English language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7043 (f).
• Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification where applicable.
• 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.
• (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 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.

Grade Determinations:

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07.

• (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• (2) Assignment. Employee at this level serves in a CLS entry-level position. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily direct supervision.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09.

• (1) Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:
• (a) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• (b) Education. Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.
• (2) Assignment. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of