Michigan Staffing
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist)
Michigan Staffing, Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48228
Microbiology/Molecular Medical Technologist
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Submits to Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service periodic written reports of safety including status, progress, problems, and recommendations for improvement at least quarterly. Reviews the results of inspections by accrediting bodies at VAMC and recommends specific means to correct deficiencies and make improvements. Immediately communicates any safety concerns, that affect the laboratory, to the ACOS and the Laboratory Manager. Serves as laboratory safety/chemical hygiene coordinator, assuring adequate safety measures and procedures in the laboratory including update of safety manual and chemical hygiene plan and provision of necessary in-service training for PALMS employees. Maintains all records on safety problems, fire drills and hazards and documents all corrective action taken. The CLS has the responsibility to ensure an objective and up to date quality assurance and safety program is in existence in PALMS. The CLS has the authority and responsibility to observe, question, make corrections and initiate new programs when called upon to do so by the ACOS, PALMS. Utilizes advanced knowledge and understanding of regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medical legal requirements, and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests and coordinate contracts to perform complex diagnostics tests. CLS-Technical Specialist utilizes technical theory and expertise to apply new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing and contracting. Utilizes advanced knowledge to develop procedures for new tests, new laboratory equipment, Fee Basis Reference Laboratory contracts and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. The Technical Specialist provides authoritative advice and consultation for difficult, complex or unique test requiring special knowledge including the Contracting process requirements and Fee Basis testing. Performs site visits to valuate new laboratory equipment for technical requirements and assay menu to perform acquisitions and/or Cost Per Test/Cost Per Reportable Result contracts. Performs post solicitation market research utilizing the internet, vendor specification documents, print media and interviews vendor references to evaluate past performance history. Verifies invoices and pays obligations on the OLCS System. Clinical Laboratory Scientist prepares acquisition requests for the PALMS administration to support the office staff and pathologists. Acquires quotations, completes required documentation and enters information into the Logistic equipment and supply request systems. Utilizes advanced knowledge and skills to use E-mail, Microsoft Word, Excel spreadsheets and graphics, PowerPoint and EP evaluator statistical analysis software. Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible to obtain a Level III Contracting Officer Representative designation within 3 years. Annually completes the mandatory hours of continuing education or TQI of training plus one year of experience. Obtains and maintains the Department of Defense required training for Level III Contracting Officer Representative for all Pathology and Laboratory contracts. Sixty hours of training are required, in addition to two years of experience that will be earned while in this position to earn the COR Level III Certification Contracting Officer Representative. Level I COR is 40 hours of training. Level II COR is 40. The incumbent will serve as COR. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 08:00am-04:30pm; Rotating Weekends and Holidays. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, for questions/assistance. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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) 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) Functional Statement #:938520 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Selected applicants must maintain the required certification. Loss of Credential. If an employee fails to maintain the required certification, management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately remove the employee from duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation. This may also result in separation from employment. 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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f). 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 (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.). Certification. Candidates must meet one of the certification options below. 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. 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). 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions. If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Submits to Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service periodic written reports of safety including status, progress, problems, and recommendations for improvement at least quarterly. Reviews the results of inspections by accrediting bodies at VAMC and recommends specific means to correct deficiencies and make improvements. Immediately communicates any safety concerns, that affect the laboratory, to the ACOS and the Laboratory Manager. Serves as laboratory safety/chemical hygiene coordinator, assuring adequate safety measures and procedures in the laboratory including update of safety manual and chemical hygiene plan and provision of necessary in-service training for PALMS employees. Maintains all records on safety problems, fire drills and hazards and documents all corrective action taken. The CLS has the responsibility to ensure an objective and up to date quality assurance and safety program is in existence in PALMS. The CLS has the authority and responsibility to observe, question, make corrections and initiate new programs when called upon to do so by the ACOS, PALMS. Utilizes advanced knowledge and understanding of regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medical legal requirements, and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests and coordinate contracts to perform complex diagnostics tests. CLS-Technical Specialist utilizes technical theory and expertise to apply new scientific/technical developments and theories to laboratory testing and contracting. Utilizes advanced knowledge to develop procedures for new tests, new laboratory equipment, Fee Basis Reference Laboratory contracts and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. The Technical Specialist provides authoritative advice and consultation for difficult, complex or unique test requiring special knowledge including the Contracting process requirements and Fee Basis testing. Performs site visits to valuate new laboratory equipment for technical requirements and assay menu to perform acquisitions and/or Cost Per Test/Cost Per Reportable Result contracts. Performs post solicitation market research utilizing the internet, vendor specification documents, print media and interviews vendor references to evaluate past performance history. Verifies invoices and pays obligations on the OLCS System. Clinical Laboratory Scientist prepares acquisition requests for the PALMS administration to support the office staff and pathologists. Acquires quotations, completes required documentation and enters information into the Logistic equipment and supply request systems. Utilizes advanced knowledge and skills to use E-mail, Microsoft Word, Excel spreadsheets and graphics, PowerPoint and EP evaluator statistical analysis software. Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible to obtain a Level III Contracting Officer Representative designation within 3 years. Annually completes the mandatory hours of continuing education or TQI of training plus one year of experience. Obtains and maintains the Department of Defense required training for Level III Contracting Officer Representative for all Pathology and Laboratory contracts. Sixty hours of training are required, in addition to two years of experience that will be earned while in this position to earn the COR Level III Certification Contracting Officer Representative. Level I COR is 40 hours of training. Level II COR is 40. The incumbent will serve as COR. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 08:00am-04:30pm; Rotating Weekends and Holidays. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, for questions/assistance. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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) 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) Functional Statement #:938520 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Selected applicants must maintain the required certification. Loss of Credential. If an employee fails to maintain the required certification, management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff, must immediately remove the employee from duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation. This may also result in separation from employment. 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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f). 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 (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.). Certification. Candidates must meet one of the certification options below. 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. 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). 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions. If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements