Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist) - EDRP Approved

Description:

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval , award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Requirements:

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.
  • 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 4c 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
• 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. 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).

Grade Determinations : Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist), GS-12. In addition to meeting the all the basic requirements above for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining eligibility:

1. Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) which is directly related to the position to be filled. This is required for all GS-12 assignments. Examples of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11): Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements; Performs 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, conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting; Correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states, determines the validity of test results, and the need for additional tests; Performs 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.
2. KSAs: And the candidate must demonstrate ALL of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) should be reflected within your resume or on a separate document:
   1. Knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medico-legal requirements, and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests.
   2. Knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired clinical laboratory scientists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of laboratory procedures.
   3. Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions.
   4. Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations.
   5. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory.
   6. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section.

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum 5 years' Microbiology Experience.
• Familiarity in Bacteriology, Serology, Mycology, Mycobacteriology, Parasitology, and Molecular Microbiology.
• Experience with regulation agencies.
• Experience with competency assessments and proficiency testing programs.
• Experience with new instrumentation implementation and validation.
• Experience with review of technical work and quality assurance.
• Preferred Microbiology Specialty Certification

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: Light lifting and carrying under 15-44 pounds; reaching above shoulder; repeating bending and pulling for 1/2 hour; both hands required; use of fingers up to 8 hours; walking or sitting up to 4 hours; ability to distinguish basic colors; constant noise; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 depth perception; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish shades of colors and hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental & Emotional Stability; exposure to chemical biologic agents.