Clinical Lab Scientist

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. Area of consideration: All U.S. citizens.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Buffalo VA Medical Center has 1 vacancy for a Clinical Lab Scientist in the Pathology and Laboratory service. The incumbent may be required to rotate within the clinical laboratory departments (bacteriology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), molecular biology, coagulation, flow cytometry, genetics, hematology, immunology, immunohematology (blood banking), mycology, parasitology, serology, urinalysis, and virology), on an as needed basis.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Performs advanced moderate and high complexity laboratory procedures; recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles using a comprehensive knowledge of professional medical technology/clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work.
• Performs testing by being able to interpret and apply complex written instructions.
• Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines of routine and urgent testing.
• 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 and troubleshoots deviations to maintain optimal operating conditions and accuracy of test results.
• Uses independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
• Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement.
• Identifies discrepancies, solves problems, and presents solutions for testing platforms, quality control or patient results that deviate from expected performance.
• Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors which influence test results.
• 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.
• 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.
• Adheres to practices and regulations governing biosafety, biosecurity, and infection prevention in the workplace.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 12:00am - 8:00am
Compressed/Flexible: Not availabe.
Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 11984F, 11985F, and 11986F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No available.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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. § 7403 (f).

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

• 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.
  • NOTE: Possession of a certification identified above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.

Certification: 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.
  • NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer).

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 (12/03/2024), 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 (GS-11), or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level (GS-11) or newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• (2) If an assignment above the FPL (GS-11) 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.

NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements.

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.

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

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 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.

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

Full Performance Level: The full performance level for the Clinical Lab Scientist is at the GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Professional Certification

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Professional Certification
• SF-15
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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