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Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Direct Jobs, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246

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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.

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.

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. § 7403 (f)

Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university

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

Exception for Non-Certified

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 VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G24 that makes them eligible to take the MLS certification exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certification exam through AMT Certification Agency

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)

Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL

Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained

Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment

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)

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified

Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-07: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements

Clinical Laboratory Scientist - 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

OR Education: Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science

Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing

Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles

Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance

Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments

Ability to read and interpret written instructions

Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of testing

Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11: 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 level

OR Education: Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science

Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent work

Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement

Skill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processes

Ability to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentation

Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results

Ability to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructions

Ability to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the health care team - external relations - customer service - and patient education

Preferred Experience: Comprehensive knowledge of professional Clinical Laboratory Scientist principles - practices - concepts - and theories providing for sound independent work

Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement providing for sound independent work

Knowledge of laboratory equipment and ability to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentation

Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret Microbiology/Molecular laboratory results

Ability to interpret and apply complex written instructions

Ability to communicate - consult - and interact with other members of the healthcare team - external relations - customer service - and patient education

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position

May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions

the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated

However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) - Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16) - Michael E

DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston - Texas - under Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service in the General Chemistry and Rapid Analytical Chemistry

DUTIES: Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation

In addition - performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures

recognizes deviation from expected results

analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles

Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements

Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment

Uses - calibrates - identifies malfunctions - repairs - and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment

Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction

Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement

Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.- Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions

Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors - which influence test results

Interprets results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures

Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment - method comparison - and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge

Interprets findings and makes recommendations

Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program

Communicates effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member

Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers - patients - and others)

Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing

Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 4:00pm - alternating holidays and weekends - subject to change based on the needs of the facility

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive

Contact [email protected] - 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 #: 580-02050-F - 580-02051-F - 580-02052-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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