Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Generalist

Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens. Veterans' Preference is not applicable. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

This job is also open in another announcement to:

Federal employees - Competitive service

Federal employees - Excepted service

Internal to an agency

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System - Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System
Total Rewards - Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is a certified laboratory professional responsible for performing complex diagnostic testing on human specimens to support the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Testing may be conducted across multiple specialties, including Hematology, Chemistry, Immunohematology (Blood Bank), Microbiology, Immunology, Cytogenetics, Anatomic Pathology, Electron Microscopy, Molecular Diagnostics, and Flow Cytometry. The CLS performs pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing in accordance with established laboratory standards.

This position supports the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System (EOVAHCS) and provides laboratory services for all Tulsa and Muskogee locations, including the Muskogee VA Medical Center and Tulsa Outpatient Clinic. Work is performed across various laboratory disciplines such as bacteriology, chemistry, coagulation, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, and urinalysis. Responsibilities include ensuring accuracy of testing, maintaining quality control systems, and supporting patient diagnosis and treatment.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs a broad range of laboratory tests and procedures, including advanced and complex analyses. Recognizes deviations from expected results and resolves issues using scientific principles.
• Evaluates and resolves problems related to specimen collection and processing, considering physiologic factors and testing requirements.
• Maintains, calibrates, and troubleshoots laboratory instruments and equipment. Performs and documents preventive maintenance and identifies issues affecting test performance.
• Conducts quality control and quality assurance activities, including corrective actions, using statistical principles and performance-improvement methods.
• Adheres to all biosafety and biosecurity regulations and maintains a safe laboratory environment.
• Identifies testing discrepancies, resolves problems, and recommends effective solutions.
• Responds to inquiries regarding test results, methodologies, and factors influencing accuracy. Interprets findings and recommends follow-up testing as needed.
• Assists in evaluating and implementing new laboratory techniques, equipment, and procedures, including method comparisons and reference interval establishment.
• Communicates effectively and courteously with healthcare providers, patients, and colleagues, delivering high-quality customer service.
• Provides guidance based on established laboratory principles and serves as a resource to clinical staff.
• Organizes work efficiently, sets priorities, and meets deadlines.
• Complies with all VHA and local directives related to safety, hazardous materials, life safety, and emergency management.
• Performs other duties as assigned, commensurate with grade level.

Work Schedule: Full-time, primarily Monday through Friday, midnight to 10:30 AM, with rotating weekends and holidays.
Compressed/Flexible:Available
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 V19RMNHRSBUMuskogee@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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 #: 623-60498-A, 623-60499-A, 623-60500-A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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 meet the following requirements:

Citizenship

1. Candidates must be citizens of the United States.
2. Non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited, in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

Education

1. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university is required.

Certification

1. Candidates must meet one of the following certification options:
   1. Generalist certification as an MLS from ASCP BOC or AMT.
   2. Generalist certification as an MT from ASCP BOR or AMT.
2. Exception for Non-Certified Applicants:
   1. Applicants may be hired without current certification if they meet one of the eligibility routes in Appendix A to sit for the MLS certification exam through ASCP BOC or AMT.
   2. Non-certified applicants who meet licensure eligibility may receive a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
   3. Non-certified individuals must work under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the Full Performance Level (FPL).
   4. Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and cannot be promoted or converted until certification is obtained.
   5. Temporary appointments for non-certified CLSs may not exceed two years and cannot be renewed or converted into another temporary appointment.

Foreign Education

1. Foreign education is creditable if evaluated by an organization specializing in foreign credential review and deemed equivalent to U.S. programs.
2. Foreign graduates qualify if:
   a. Their transcripts are evaluated as equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science program, or
   b. They submit documentation from ASCP BOC or AMT confirming eligibility to take the certification examination.
   Note: Possession of a qualifying certification listed in section 4c automatically validates foreign education equivalency.

English Language Proficiency

1. 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

1. Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09

1. Experience or Education: Candidates must meet one of the following:
   1. One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-07; or
   2. A master's degree or two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a closely related science.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
   1. Knowledge of clinical laboratory testing policies and procedures.
   2. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
   3. Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
   4. Ability to work effectively as a team member and complete assignments.
   5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions.
   6. Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11

1. Experience or Education: Candidates must meet one of the following:
   1. One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09; or
   2. Three full years of progressively higher graduate education, a Ph.D., or an equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a related science.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
   1. Knowledge of advanced professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories supporting independent work.
   2. Knowledge of laboratory quality control, quality assurance, and performance improvement.
   3. Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
   4. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation.
   5. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
   6. Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.
   7. Ability to communicate, consult, and interact effectively with healthcare team members, external partners, customers, and patients.

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: Must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 20 lbs., straight pulling, pushing, reaching above the shoulder, use of fingers and both hands, walking, standing for up to 4 hours, kneeling, repeated bending, use of both arms and legs. Specific visual requirements include use of both eyes, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, hearing (aids permitted), clear, high cognitive function and emotional stability; ability to read ordinary type without strain.

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:

• Resume/CV without page limitation
• Resume
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

Your resume/CV must include the following information for each job listed (a determination may not be able to be made if these items are missing):

• Job title and Duties
• Month & year, start/end dated (e.g. June 2020 to April 2021)
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Series and Grade, if applicable

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.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Resume/CV without page limitation
• Other (2)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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