Clinical Laboratory Scientist-EDRP Authorized

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.
• Education. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Certification:
  • (1) 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f).

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, GS-11
Experience or Education Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:

Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR

Education . Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science.

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work.
(b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement.
(c) Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
(d) Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
(e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
(f) Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.
(g) Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education.

Preferred Experience:
1. Clinical Laboratory Scientist or equivalent certification is a must.
2. Two years experience working in a clinical laboratory as Laboratory Generalist.
3. ASCP Certification.
4. ASCP Certification in an area of clinical laboratory specialty: SM (ASCP), SC (ASCP), SH (ASCP) SMB (ASCP)
5. Two years experience working as Clinical Laboratory Scientist in federal medical facility.

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-11.

Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (up to 40 lbs); Heavy Carrying (up to 40 lbs.); Straight Pulling (1-2 hours); Pushing (1-2 hours);Reaching above shoulder (occasional); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (1 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Sitting (up to 6 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).