VA Connecticut Healthcare System (DOVA)
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist)
VA Connecticut Healthcare System (DOVA), West Haven, Connecticut, us, 06516
Summary
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.
Overview
Open Closing dates: 10/23/2025 to 11/07/2025
Salary
$69,012 to $132,769 per year (GS‑7 Step 1 to GS‑11 Step 10).
Location
West Haven, CT
Job Family (Series)
0644 Clinical Laboratory Science
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.
Applicants must complete an online onboarding process and present acceptable forms of ID. Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state‑issued identity cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be used.
Must pass a pre‑employment physical examination.
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.
Trial Period and Public Interest
Accepted applicants will serve a 1 or 2‑year trial period where fitness and public interest are evaluated.
Evaluation will consider performance, conduct, agency needs, organizational and governmental goals, and federal service efficiency.
Employment will be terminated unless a written certification of continued employment is provided.
Responsibilities
Develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate laboratory procedures and results in line with regulatory requirements.
Work across specialties: chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, immunohematology.
Conduct testing on biological or environmental samples using manual or automated methods; perform quality control, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Correlate abnormal data with pathological states, determine test validity, and recommend additional testing.
May serve as safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new systems, quality control or supply control specialist, or competency assessment coordinator.
Limited duties may include lab information management and ancillary testing.
Operate with independent judgment, set priorities, and work with minimal supervision.
Assess situations, consider options, and formulate courses of action.
Monitor quality control systems, collaborate in patient diagnosis and treatment, and provide education to health professionals and the public.
At GS‑11, operate independently day‑to‑day laboratory operations.
Work Schedule
Full‑time, Monday‑Friday 4:00 pm–12:30 am, rotating weekends and holidays.
Compressed/flexible schedule: Not authorized.
Telework/virtual/remote: Not authorized.
Benefits
Paid time off: 37–50 days per year (13–26 days leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays).
Parental leave: up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment.
Child care subsidy: up to 25 % of eligible costs up to $416.66 monthly for eligible employees.
Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contribution.
Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care.
EDRP authorized: Former participants ineligible for incentive.
Notifications: Covered by special salary rate; current and former federal employees must submit SF‑50(s); selectees must complete additional forms.
Qualifications
Citizenship: U.S. citizen (non‑citizens may be appointed when no qualified citizen can be recruited).
English proficiency: spoken and written per 38 U.S.C. § 7403.
Certification: one of the following
Generalist MLS via ASCP BOC or AMT.
Generalist MT via ASCP BOR or AMT.
Categorical or specialist ASCP/AMT (not for generalist or unrelated sections).
Exception for non‑certified applicants: temporary appointment under § 7405ᶜ(2) and must work under a certified CLS.
Education: bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college/university.
Foreign graduates: credentials must be evaluated by an acceptable agency (e.g., NAACLS); alternatively an eligible letter from ASCP BOC or AMT.
Grade‑specific criteria:
GS‑7: none beyond basic requirements.
GS‑9: either 1 year creditable experience equivalent to GS‑7 or master’s/2 years graduate education.
GS‑11: either 1 year creditable experience or 3 years graduate education or Ph.D./doctoral degree.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities per grade (list omitted for brevity but retained in full description).
Preferred experience: previous generalist CLS work.
Physical Requirements
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
Education Note
Submit a transcript if basing qualifications on education.
Required Documents
Resume (or standard Clinical Resume Doc).
Transcript.
Optional: Cover Letter, DD‑214/Statement of Service, Disability Letter, Performance Appraisal, Professional Certification, SF‑50/Notification of Personnel Action.
How to Apply
Click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in, select your resume or other documents, and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit the application package.
Application deadline: 11:59 PM (ET) 11/07/2025.
Agency Contact
Sharika Graves Sharika.Graves@va.gov VA Connecticut Healthcare System 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
Next Steps
After submission, you will receive a confirmation email. Once the vacancy closes, the hiring office will review applications for qualifications and eligibility, issue referrals, and notify applicants of status.
EEO Statement
Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies. Veterans and service members are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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.
Overview
Open Closing dates: 10/23/2025 to 11/07/2025
Salary
$69,012 to $132,769 per year (GS‑7 Step 1 to GS‑11 Step 10).
Location
West Haven, CT
Job Family (Series)
0644 Clinical Laboratory Science
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.
Applicants must complete an online onboarding process and present acceptable forms of ID. Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state‑issued identity cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be used.
Must pass a pre‑employment physical examination.
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.
Trial Period and Public Interest
Accepted applicants will serve a 1 or 2‑year trial period where fitness and public interest are evaluated.
Evaluation will consider performance, conduct, agency needs, organizational and governmental goals, and federal service efficiency.
Employment will be terminated unless a written certification of continued employment is provided.
Responsibilities
Develop, perform, evaluate, interpret, correlate, and validate laboratory procedures and results in line with regulatory requirements.
Work across specialties: chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, immunohematology.
Conduct testing on biological or environmental samples using manual or automated methods; perform quality control, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Correlate abnormal data with pathological states, determine test validity, and recommend additional testing.
May serve as safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new systems, quality control or supply control specialist, or competency assessment coordinator.
Limited duties may include lab information management and ancillary testing.
Operate with independent judgment, set priorities, and work with minimal supervision.
Assess situations, consider options, and formulate courses of action.
Monitor quality control systems, collaborate in patient diagnosis and treatment, and provide education to health professionals and the public.
At GS‑11, operate independently day‑to‑day laboratory operations.
Work Schedule
Full‑time, Monday‑Friday 4:00 pm–12:30 am, rotating weekends and holidays.
Compressed/flexible schedule: Not authorized.
Telework/virtual/remote: Not authorized.
Benefits
Paid time off: 37–50 days per year (13–26 days leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays).
Parental leave: up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment.
Child care subsidy: up to 25 % of eligible costs up to $416.66 monthly for eligible employees.
Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and 401(k) with up to 5 % VA contribution.
Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care.
EDRP authorized: Former participants ineligible for incentive.
Notifications: Covered by special salary rate; current and former federal employees must submit SF‑50(s); selectees must complete additional forms.
Qualifications
Citizenship: U.S. citizen (non‑citizens may be appointed when no qualified citizen can be recruited).
English proficiency: spoken and written per 38 U.S.C. § 7403.
Certification: one of the following
Generalist MLS via ASCP BOC or AMT.
Generalist MT via ASCP BOR or AMT.
Categorical or specialist ASCP/AMT (not for generalist or unrelated sections).
Exception for non‑certified applicants: temporary appointment under § 7405ᶜ(2) and must work under a certified CLS.
Education: bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college/university.
Foreign graduates: credentials must be evaluated by an acceptable agency (e.g., NAACLS); alternatively an eligible letter from ASCP BOC or AMT.
Grade‑specific criteria:
GS‑7: none beyond basic requirements.
GS‑9: either 1 year creditable experience equivalent to GS‑7 or master’s/2 years graduate education.
GS‑11: either 1 year creditable experience or 3 years graduate education or Ph.D./doctoral degree.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities per grade (list omitted for brevity but retained in full description).
Preferred experience: previous generalist CLS work.
Physical Requirements
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
Education Note
Submit a transcript if basing qualifications on education.
Required Documents
Resume (or standard Clinical Resume Doc).
Transcript.
Optional: Cover Letter, DD‑214/Statement of Service, Disability Letter, Performance Appraisal, Professional Certification, SF‑50/Notification of Personnel Action.
How to Apply
Click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in, select your resume or other documents, and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit the application package.
Application deadline: 11:59 PM (ET) 11/07/2025.
Agency Contact
Sharika Graves Sharika.Graves@va.gov VA Connecticut Healthcare System 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
Next Steps
After submission, you will receive a confirmation email. Once the vacancy closes, the hiring office will review applications for qualifications and eligibility, issue referrals, and notify applicants of status.
EEO Statement
Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies. Veterans and service members are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr