Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The incumbent serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), performing the full range of duties in all areas of the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service as assigned. A CLS may be assigned to one or more of the following departments encompassing the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service: Core Laboratory (Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Chemistry sections), Blood Bank, and/or Microbiology/Serology/Molecular. Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: The Clinical Laboratory Scientist rotates with other generalists on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areas. Requires rotation on an as needed basis to perform duties in all sections. He/she also works off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need. The duties and responsibilities of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist include but are not limited to the following: 1. Develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results ensuring all laboratory regulatory requirements are met. 2. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual or automated techniques, following practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. 3. Requires a broad exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, including organizing and setting priorities with minimal technical supervision. 4. Carries out the day-to-day operations in the assigned Department within the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service. 5. Performs blood type and screen for antibodies following VBEC's protocols for data entry at each step. 6. Performs crossmatch of compatible blood and processing of FFP, platelets, and other components, while maintaining awareness of state and critical request. 7. Perform specimen processing, receiving all specimens that arrive in-house, Lab OPD, and CBOC's, ensuring patient identification is verified and maintained. 8. Remain vigilant at all times for critical values, immediately informing provider and documenting all elements of the critical call process in VistA. 9. Performs a broad range of laboratory procedures including all testing and tasks of the medical laboratory technician occupation. 10. Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/automated techniques. In addition, performs advanced and complex laboratory procedures; tests include complex as well as routine analysis. 11. Recognizes deviation from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. 12. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction, locates and implements corrections. 13. Evaluates and solves problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis taking into account physiologic processes and requirements. 14. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laboratory equipment. 15. Uses, calibrates, identifies malfunctions, repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment. Performs other related duties as assigned. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 3:30pm to 12am Monday-Friday with weekend rotation EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 11972-F, 11973-F, 11974-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/17/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13110049. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Generalist certification as a MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT, OR Generalist certification as a MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT, OR Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT. Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

Additional information

Experience. Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current CLS practices. The experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment as a CLS in the health care field. Research laboratory experience does not fulfill this requirement. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to a full-time workweek. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a half-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to CLS experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level (FPL), the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity, and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST 0644- FY2027 VHA SHORTAGE OCCUPATIONS APPROVED FOR WAIVER OF VETERANS' PREFERENCE.VETERANS PREFERENCE IS WAIVED FOR THIS OCCUPATIONAL SERIES IAW Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) BULLETIN "FY27 Staffing Shortage Determinations" dated: 10/22/2026.