Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. The VA HR Office staff can hire applicants who do not currently hold valid certification, but actively working towards their certification, at the entry level, GS-7.

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
• Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below
• Certification
• Candidates must meet one of the certification options below
• Generalist certification as an Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) given by American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) or American Medical Technologist (AMT)
• Generalist certification as an Medical Technologist given by American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP BOR) or American Medical Technologist (AMT)
• Categorical certification or Specialist certification by American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologist (AMT)
• Exception for Non-Certified
• (Details in Education Section) 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 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-07, Experience & Assignment: Candidates at this level must meet the criteria below: Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
• Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-09, Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• OR Education: Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laboratory testing
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance
• Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments
• Ability to read and interpret written instructions
• Ability to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-11 , Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below: Experience: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR 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
• 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
• Physical Requirements: While work is partially sedentary, there are demands for standing, walking, bending at times
• May also require travel by auto or plane.