Clinical Lab Scientist - (Send-Outs/Processing)

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) within the Send-Outs/Processing section of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center - performing key duties in the clinical laboratory. This is considered the full performance level for nonsupervisory positions.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)
• Education
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Professional 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
• 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: Clinical Laboratory Scientist - GS-11
• (1) 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 (GS9-Developmental)
• 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: a) Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles - practices - concepts - and theories that support sound - independent work
• (b) Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement
• (c) Skill in informatics - laboratory data flow - and laboratory processes
• (d) Ability to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair instrumentation
• (e) Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results
• (f) Ability to read - interpret - and apply complex written instructions
• (g) 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/
• 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 (15-44 pounds)
• light carrying (under 15 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.

Duties

• Duties and tasks include but are not limited to the following: Evaluates the suitability of each specimen for analysis - requesting a new specimen if determined to be unusable
• Prepares specimen for analysis according to established procedures
• Follows established procedure for handling of mislabeled - unlabeled - or unsuitable specimens
• Ensures acceptable orders have been placed by a provider and accurately accessions and receives specimens - maintaining correct patient identification throughout each phase of processing - analysis - and resulting
• Evaluates the validity of the data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures
• Correlates quantitative data with patient data (e.g. - history - medications) as necessary to verify results
• Prepares specimens for pick-up or shipment as appropriate - following all regulatory guidelines - policies - and procedures
• Receives reference laboratory reports - enters and verifies the results into the laboratory computer system in a timely manner
• Maintains open communication with reference laboratories' customer service and information departments to troubleshoot any problems within the system or missing samples
• Monitors reference laboratory communications to stay apprised of changes in methodology - test codes - pricing or other test information and responds accordingly to ensure continuity of test availability
• This may include contracting modifications or working with Laboratory Information Managers to update test information in the computer system or notifying laboratory staff and/or medical staff of updates to test requirements or availability
• Provides professional and technical advice to phlebotomists - other laboratory staff - and medical staff regarding referral testing procedures and the laboratory's esoteric testing menu
• Utilizes system for ordering send-out supplies such as special collection containers - special media - aliquot tubes - shipping bags - labels - forms - etc
• Maintains a list and inventory of supplies for the section to ensure adequate supplies are available and makes emergency orders when appropriate
• Escalates supply deficiencies that may result in inability to collect or perform testing
• Maintains accountability for tracking of all patient tests results having an important public health component - as required by law
• Promptly reports all variances - incidents - and/or deviations from policy as required and in accordance with policies and procedures
• Answers and appropriately and professionally addresses any incoming inquiries to the laboratory - whether via phone - electronic communications - or in-person communications
• May perform the processing - ordering - packaging - shipping - and resulting of testing sent to reference laboratories
• Maintains accountability for tracking of all patient test results - specimens - and paperwork appropriately and according to all applicable policies and procedures
• Reviews and investigates delta checks - flags - alerts - etc
• and performs additional testing to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly and follows the proper laboratory and medical center policies
• Additional Information: Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am -4:00pm - no weekends or holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 92779-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN10HRCCOE@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized