Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Technical Specialist)

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. Learn more about this agency Duties The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Technical Specialist of the Hematology section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center. Major duties and responsibilities include: Assists with collecting and submitting monthly data for the P&LMS Quality Meeting. Attends meeting as required. Performs statistical analysis of quality assurance data collected to identify, document, and suggest corrective action. Maintains comprehensive knowledge of statistical analysis and evaluation. Prepares monthly variance summary reports for the section. May plan work schedules and assign daily bench assignments to ensure an even workflow and distribution of work. Informs the supervisor of any issues and recommends scheduling adjustments. Maintains an advanced knowledge of hematology and quality control techniques and problem-solving and acts as a resource for other technologists. Assists the supervisor in technical phases of specialized testing and quality control, including appropriately taking into consideration clinical context. Maintains monthly Hematology Quality Control Pathology Reviews. Accepts and resolves referrals and observations from employees of unusual or abnormal results in the Hematology section. Reviews abnormal slide morphology and difficult differentials with referring technologists. Instructs technical staff in the practice and theory of coagulation, hematology, and/or blood bank as well as quality control methods and troubleshooting. Utilizes instructional techniques to train newly hired technologists and students in the proper performance of tests and applications of procedures and the proper performance of quality control. Develops course guidelines, materials, and teaching aids for trainees to include the review of Levy-Jennings charts and Westgard Rules, as well as the reporting and troubleshooting of quality control results. Informs the section supervisor of training progress and additional needs. Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of test results. Suggests and assists with modifications to existing policies, procedures, or processes or the creation of new policies, procedures, or processes for the purpose of providing improved services, reduced cost, decreased turnaround times, etc. Responsible to investigate equipment issues and failure after routine troubleshooting has occurred. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Ensures appropriate quality control and maintenance is performed as defined by the manufacturer, regulatory agencies, and/or laboratory policy and is acceptable before release of patient results. Properly documents corrective action. Contacts instrument-specific technical representatives, biomedical engineering, and/or enters workorder or service request as needed to resolve and resume optimal functionality of equipment, referring to supervisor when difficult issues arise or unable to obtain a response. Assists in creating and administering training checklists for new policies and procedures. Performs market research and evaluates the suitability and cost-effectiveness of new instrumentation, equipment, reagents, and/or supplies. Assists in coaching a team in the selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques, provides advice on work methods, practices, and procedures, and assists the team and/or individual members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution. Assists employees in specialized testing techniques to ensure testing is performed accurately. Responsible for the implementation, verification, and validation of new instrumentation, equipment, and testing within the department. Evaluates the verification and validation data for all new instrumentation, equipment, and tests to ensure acceptability prior to implementation. May attend on- or off-site training provided by instrument vendors to obtain knowledge of complex analytical instrument operation, maintenance and troubleshooting. Assists in maintaining Safety Data Sheets to ensure current data is available Work Schedule: 8:00am- 4:30pm, with rotating weekends and holidays EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) Functional Statement #:92760-0 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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: Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.). Certification: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. OR Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. 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: GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientist Assignment: The CLS serves as a Technical Specialist CLS, providing expert authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests that require special knowledge. The CLS advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing, including appropriateness that takes into consideration clinical context. The CLS advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses and analyzes emerging trends and technology to adopt appropriate methods and testing. The CLS develops policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing. The CLS assumes responsibility for training and competency assessment of staff and students within the area assigned. The technical specialist often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of the section director or section supervisor. Experience : 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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. Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory functions. 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. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurrent standing to perform procedures and tests, walking between different areas within the laboratory and throughout the medical center. The work involves sitting at a microscope or computer, manual dexterity, visual acuity, color vision and the ability to sit and concentrate for long periods of time. Requires intermittent moderate lifting (1 5 -44 pounds); light carrying (under 1 5 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; intermittent but possibly prolonged stooping and kneeling; ability to read and comprehend ordinary type and computer screens; ability to hear (aid permitted) and work in an environment with constant noise; working closely with others; high cognitive function required to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities without loss of accuracy; emotional stability required to maintain self-control in difficult and stressful situations Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level Additional information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. 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. "VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being." Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.