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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:
a. 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).
b. 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. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below.
c. 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. 2)
Exception. (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.
d. 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: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G24 EFFECTIVE DATE: December 3, 2024 5 occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) If an assignment above the FPL requires an additional certification over and above the basic requirements, employees must meet the assignment-specific requirement before they can be promoted. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
.
e. 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. OR (2) The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination.
f. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).
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.
(1) 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-07).
OR
EDUCATION. Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.
(2) 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.
(1) 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
(GS-09)
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.
(2) 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.
NOTE: Your experience must be fully documented on your, resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.
References:VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II Appendix G24.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
Physical Requirements: The general physical requirements for a GS-644 clinical lab scientist (CLS) typically include, but are not limited to, the ability to stand for extended periods, reach, bend, stoop, twist and perform repetitive tasks; must have good handeye coordination, fine motor skills to handle delicate equipment, good vision to see details under a microscope, and the capacity to lift and move objects up to 45 pounds. Ability to distinguish between colors.