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: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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 Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist This is the full performance level (FPL) for the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) position assigned to the Clinical Testing Unit, Microbiology, or Pathology department within P&LMS at Dayton VAMC, Dayton, Ohio
• The incumbent must meet the basic requirements and the additional Experience or Education requirements as defined in the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard (GS-0644)
• The CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory
• The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results
• The incumbent performs a variety of delicate and complex tests on biological specimens and serves as a generalist in medical technology with responsibility for performing procedures in all areas of Specimen Collection and Processing including send out testing, Chemistry, Immunochemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Blood Bank, Blood Gas, Urinalysis, Microbiology, Molecular, Histology, and Pathology
• Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:(a) Experience
• 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• OR (b) 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice
• Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation
• Ability to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations
• Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section
• Ability to coordinate staff development and training
• Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing, specimen requirements and results
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is 12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.