Summary

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is located at the Danville VA Illiana Healthcare System located at 1900 E Main St. Danville - IL 61832

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:

• Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f)
• Education (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED): A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Certification: 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
• (c) Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT
• Grade Determinations: Experience: Must have at least one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-9)
• OR - Education
• Must have three (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
• GS-11 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
• 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.

Duties

• This is considered full performance level (FPL) for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)
• A CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory
• The CLS develops - performs - evaluates - interprets - correlates - and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory regulatory requirements
• The work performed may be in a variety of laboratory specialties including - but not limited to - Hematology - Chemistry - lmmunohematology (Blood Bank) - Microbiology - Immunology - Cytogenetics - Anatomic Pathology - Electron Microscopy - Molecular Diagnostics - and Flow Cytometry
• A CLS is responsible for performing the pre-analytical - analytical - and post-analytical phases of clinical laboratory testing
• Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated methods
• In addition to routine testing - the CLS conducts quality control and routine maintenance of instrumentation and troubleshooting
• The CLS correlates abnormal lab data with pathological states - determines the validity of test results - and the need for additional tests
• Specific targeted laboratory responsibilities or projects may include laboratory safety officer - analyzer specialist - primary operator on new test systems - quality control specialist - supply control - and/or coordinator for the laboratory competency assessment proficiency/survey program
• This assignment may include limited duties in areas such as lab information management and ancillary testing
• These tasks require a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility - including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision
• The CLS assesses a situation - considers the options - and formulates an appropriate course of action
• This assignment includes monitoring quality control systems and measures - collaborating in the diagnosis and treatment of patients - and providing education for laboratory health care professionals and the public in a professional - courteous - and effective manner
• Major Duties: -Assumes responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance and training on the operation of new test systems
• - Assists in writing procedures and other documents as directed
• - Modifies or adapts new methods or techniques to improve or expand services
• - Develops protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results
• - Ensures that laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agencies standards and requirements
• - Recognizes methodology limitations such as linearity - interference - sensitivity - and specificity and considers these when drawing conclusions about the validity of testing results
• - Performs validation/method verification studies for new systems
• - Monitors and maintains inventory including reagents - calibrators - quality control - etc
• - Consults with healthcare providers on logical protocol to follow in attempting to confirm the diagnosis or risk assessment of a patient
• - Provides technical advice to staff and other health care members
• - Assists with staff competency assessment as applicable
• - Maintains knowledge of and complies with the federal regulations associated with the Clinical Lab Improvement Act of 1988
• - Assumes responsibility for the instruction and coordination of teaching activities for Clinical Laboratory Scientist students in order to fulfill the requirements of a NMCLS-accredited CLS Program
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Rotating Days Monday-Friday 6:00AM-4:30PM with rotating weekends - holidays and on call
• Compressed/Flexible: Compressed- 10 hour days
• 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 #: 06376F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.