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.
- 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).
Grade Determinations:
Applicants must possess 1 yr of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-11), which is directly related to the position to be filled.
Examples of specialized experience include; Independently carries out the day to day operations of the laboratory, Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results, Performs testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methodology of clinical laboratory technology in relation to laboratory information systems.
- Knowledge of laboratory operations and their relationship to the organization.
- Knowledge of laboratory computer systems sufficient to implement various laboratory associated packages and sustain operation of the laboratory system.
- Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements for laboratory functions.
- Ability to adapt, implement and integrate the use of software to specific laboratory applications and processes, including the use of office automation software. (F) Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments.
- .Ability to independently plan, organize, set priorities, work as a team member, and effectively complete assignments.
Preferred Experience: One year experience with both Laboratory Information and Hospital software programs. MT/CLS board certified by either ASCP or AMT with at least one year of laboratory experience.
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 GS 12.
Physical Requirements: The incumbent 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 and ability to read ordinary type without strain, and wrist strain due to prolonged use of PC keyboards.