Summary

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.

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency: Clinical Laboratory Scientists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005/72 - Part II - Chapter 2 - Section D - 5a - and in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education-Transcripts required
• 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
• 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
• NOTE: Possession of a certification identified in the Certification requirement below automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed
• Certification-Documentation required
• Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT
• Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT
• Categorical certification or Specialist certification in Microbiology by SM - ASCP or AMT
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified.GS-11
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Assignments
• For all GS-11 assignments above the FPL - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the CLS at least 25% of the time
• Candidates at this grade level are in one of the following assignments
• Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-11 assignments
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent work
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement
• Skill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processes
• Ability to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentation
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• 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
• Assignment
• Please see the CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD - GS-0644 for a detailed description of this assignment
• 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)
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of 5 years of Microbiology readout 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 in the range of GS-11 - Physical Requirements: see VA Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Major duties may include - but are not limited to: Oversee/performs all elements of patient specimen testing per established SOPs
• Knowledgeable of microbiology and molecular testing methods and CLSI standards
• Coordinates training in the methods and techniques of the appropriate laboratory specialty area
• Performs competencies as required to meet regulations in accordance with the competency SOP
• Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult - complex - unique - and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge
• Examples are - but not limited to - molecular/DNA testing - bone marrow examination and culture - genetic testing
• With the pre-approval of the Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist - conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the specialty area
• Recommends new/replacement instrumentation
• Manages inventory - ordering and receipt of supplies for the appropriate laboratory specialty area
• Coordinates and monitors the elements of the section quality assurance policy to include the Individualized Quality Control Plan (IQCP) (Risk Assessment - Quality Control Plan - Quality Assessment) for the work area to meet regulatory and accreditation requirements
• Performs semiannual correlation studies on instrumentation - when applicable
• Establishes reference ranges
• Validates procedures and equipment
• Assists in investigation of complaints from hospital staff concerning test results
• Performs/ensures proficiency surveys are completed by assigned due dates
• Completes all documentation - review of results and submits timely
• Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing - including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information
• Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses
• Analyzes emerging trends and technology and adopts appropriate methods and testing
• Participates in departmental process improvement and High Reliability Organization (HRO) projects prior approval from the Chief of Pathology & Laboratory Services/Laboratory Director
• Attends regularly scheduled meetings - such as assigned departmental Daily Huddles - Weekly Meetings with Departmental Medical Director - PLMS Departmental Meetings - applicable Laboratory Director delegated meetings (i.e. - Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee) - and other approved meetings
• Conducts preparation for external reviews (The Joint Commission - Office of Inspector General - College of American Pathologists etc.) by reviewing regulatory - licensing - and accrediting agency requirements for compliance within the work area
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:30pm - rotating weekends and holidays
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:59047F