*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 15, 2025 or until the position is filled. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be September 10, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. ***
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:
- 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
- The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination.
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.
- Exception for Non-Certified
- 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.
- 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).
- Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL.
- Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
- Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment.
Grade Determinations.
Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-12.
Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11.
A CLS at the GS-11 level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The CLS develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements. The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties such as chemistry, microbiology, immunology, hematology, and immunohematology. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods. In addition to routine testing, the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting. The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity of test results, and the need for additional tests. Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer, analyzer specialist, primary operator on new test systems, quality control specialist, supply control, and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment or proficiency/survey program. This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing. These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. The CLS assesses a situation, considers the options, and formulates an appropriate course of action. This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures, collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional, courteous, and effective manner.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- (A) Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice.
- (B) Skill to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory instrumentation.
- (C) Ability to develop procedures for new tests, and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
- (D) Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section.
- (E) Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.
- (F) Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results.
Preferred Experience:
- 5 years of experience working in a clinical microbiology laboratory.
- Comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience with microbiological techniques, including culture, isolation, identification of microorganisms, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and molecular diagnostics.
- Excellent communication skills to effectively interact with a diverse team of laboratory staff, healthcare providers, and stakeholders.
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-12.
Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform moderate lifting up to 45 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.