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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
- Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
- 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).
- 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 in "Certification" above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed.
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:
(1) 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.
(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.
NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements.
Grade Determinations:
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical) GS-13
Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) which is directly related to the position to be filled. This is required for all GS-13 assignments.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(A) Knowledge of regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, concepts, principles, and practices of medical technology sufficient to perform the full range of duties involved in planning, coordinating, and evaluating laboratory services.
(B) Knowledge of compliance requirements sufficient to provide direction for complex diagnostic testing.
(C) Knowledge of laboratory information systems to accomplish diagnostic laboratory work and quality assurance.
(D) Skill in evaluating, interpreting, and teaching others to use quality control procedures to monitor variables that affect quality of services and implement corrective actions.
(E) Ability to apply laws, policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing.
(F) Ability to develop new test procedures and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
Assignments: The CLS serves as a recognized expert and provides consultative services to management at all levels of the organization advising on various aspects of specialized testing, coordinating VISN or multi-facility specialized services including, but not limited to, quality management or laboratory information management (this list is not all-inclusive). The CLS develops new policies and procedures, conducts studies, recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area, and creates and applies re-engineering and continuous performance improvement initiatives. The CLS analyzes emerging trends, technology, and adopts appropriate methods. The CLS identifies, defines, and resolves issues associated with complex aspects of data or unique/controversial aspects of testing where no direct precedent exists.
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-13.
Physical Requirements: Incumbent must meet physical standards for the position. The work is normally completed in an indoor office setting. Incumbent is required to stand, bend, stoop, lift, and kneel for long periods of time. He/she must also be able to lift heavy objects, climb ladders and stairs, and maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations.