Clinical Laboratory Scientist-Generalist
What you'd do
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.
Major duties
The incumbent serves as a Generalist Clinical Laboratory Scientist, who regularly rotates to various stations in the clinical laboratory for the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare system, Brooklyn and/or Manhattan campuses. The incumbent will regularly rotate to various benches within the areas of Immunohematology, Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Microbiology, Serology, Special Chemistry and Urinalysis. Major Duties and Responsibilities: - Clinical Laboratory Scientist works throughout the lab as a generalist and works weekends, holidays and the evening or night shift by themselves when priorities demonstrate a need. - Performs testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental sample using manual and automated techniques. Duties require competency in the areas of immunohematology, hematology, chemistry, coagulation, microbiology, serology, special chemistry, and urinalysis. - Performs, evaluate, interprets, and validates laboratory results. In all areas, technologist prepares reagents, assembly equipment, and verifies correct instrument operation. - Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures. Recognizes and communicates predefined critical results affecting patient care. - Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiological processes and requirements .- Maintain and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Diagnoses deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction. - Performs documents quality control and quality assurance activities and corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and theories of performance improvement. - Adheres to practice and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. - Ensures compliance with rules and regulations of assorted regulatory agencies such as College of American Pathologist (CAP), The Joint Commission (TJC), American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), Federal Drugs administration (FDA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Assist in preparing the lab for regulatory and accreditation inspections. - Identifies discrepancies, solve problems, and suggest solutions. - Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Interpret results and suggests follow-up test selection or procedures. - Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals. - Communicate effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, patients, and others). Gives direction and guidance using underlying principles of laboratory testing.- Organizes work and set priorities to meet deadlines. - Maintains a professional currency through formal education and professional training and networking.- Attends on-site and off-site instrument training schools (completing the expert level course, if offered). That expertise is then offered to other technical staff by conducting training events, competency testing exercise, review of correct procedures if problems arise and general oversight of instrument operation. - Performed additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Learn more. EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: 12249F VA Careers - Microbiology/Molecular Medical Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/eSDGhIwZKdw
What you need to qualify
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. Certification. 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 by ASCP or AMT NOTE: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer). 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 4 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: Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11. (1) Experience or Education. Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (a) Experience. One year (1) of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR (b) 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. (2) 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. Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education. Preferred Experience: At least two two years of experience as generalist is preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit 0644-ClinicalLaboratoryScientistformerlytitledMedicalTechnologist.pdf 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-7 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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