Summary

The position of Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is located within Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service of Columbia VA Health Care System in Columbia - SC. A CLS at this level carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory to include routine testing - quality control - routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting.

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: (1) Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9)
• Some examples of experience - not limited to - evaluating - performing - interpreting - and validating the accuracy and validity of test results
• Demonstrates a clear progression of clinical knowledge and experience by performing testing procedures on a variety of biological specimens using manual or automated methods
• his includes routine testing - quality control - routine maintenance of instrumentation - and troubleshooting that applies innovative procedures and problem solving
• Deviations from regular procedures - unanticipated problems - and unfamiliar situations are referred to more experienced staff for a decision or assistance
• OR (2) 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
• (3) Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - you must demonstrate all the following KSAs clearly in your resume: 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: Greater than 3 years experience in a medium or large medical center
• 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: The work requires regular and recurrent sitting - standing - walking - reaching and bending
• Occasionally lifts heavy containers of supplies or equipment.

Duties

• Total Rewards: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional *This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until July 8 - 2026
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 21 - 2026
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until position is filled.* Duties include - but not limited to: Recognizes deviation from expected results
• analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles
• Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis - taking into account physiologic processes and requirements
• Identifies discrepancies - solves problems - and presents solutions
• Answers inquiries regarding test results - methodology - test specificity - test sensitivity - and specific factors which influence test results
• Evaluates and implements new techniques and procedures in the laboratory in terms of equipment - method comparison and establishment of reference intervals using statistical methods and theoretical knowledge
• Interprets findings and makes recommendations
• Prioritizes work according to urgency and turnaround time criteria
• Complies with rules and standards of multiple regulatory and accreditation bodies such as The Joint Commission (TJC) - College of American Pathologists (CAP) - AABB - FDA - OSHA - VHA - P&LM National Enforcement Program - etc
• Maintains 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
• Assists in the training of new employees - affiliated Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (MT/CLS) or Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) students - other healthcare students or residents and volunteers
• Incorporates principles of educational methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students
• Communicates and documents critical values according to established protocols
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 12:00am-8:00am with rotating weekends and holidays Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) 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 #: 58954F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized