Summary The Salisbury VA Health Care System Clinical Laboratory Scientist develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures. Responsibilities Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation Performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures, recognizes deviation from expected results, and analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles Recognizes and communicates pre-defined critical results affecting patient care Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimens if determined to be unusable Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction and locates and implements corrections Performs quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications etc.) to verify results Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system Performs venipunctures and collects other specimens as required Instructs, assists, and advises medical technicians, students, medical staff, and patients as necessary regarding questions including, but not limited to, patient testing, specimen collection, equipment, and ordering requirements Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laboratory's in-service/continuing education program Adheres to all facility, local, state, and federal safety requirements Organizes work and sets priorities to meet deadlines Work Schedule: Day, Evening and Night Shift with Rotating shifts, Weekends and Holidays Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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. (2) Exception for Non-Certified. (a) 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. (b) 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). (c) Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS at or above the FPL. (d) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (e)Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment. (3) Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, CLSs must actively work to meet requirements for certification starting from the date of their placement into the occupation. At the time of appointment, the Human Resources(HR) Office staff, in collaboration with the supervisor, will provide the employee with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in separation from employment. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Grade Determinations GS-7: Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level OR, Education. Must have Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or directly related science. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing. (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles. (c) Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance. (d) Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. (e) Ability to read and interpret written instructions. (f) Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing. GS-11: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. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. The full performance level of this position is GS-11. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.