Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Technical Specialist

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Technical Specialist

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. Responsibilities This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until January 8, 2026 or until the position is filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 7, 2025, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 30th of each month. Eligible applications receive after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The assignee serves as a Technical Specialist CLS, providing expert authoritative advice and consultation for more markedly difficult, complex, unique and/or emerging tests that require special knowledge in the Flow Cytometry section at the Orlando VA Healthcare System. The duties of the Technical Specialist include but are not limited to the following functions: The incumbent is a qualified, experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) who serves to develop, review and/or recommend changes to procedures and policy regarding the high complexity testing, quality assurance and management program in the Flow Cytometry section. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of specialized testing, including appropriateness of testing that takes into consideration clinical context. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses and analyzes emerging trends and technology to adopt appropriate methods and testing. Develops policies, precedents, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting requirements to establish, monitor, and maintain the specialized testing. Assumes responsibility for training and competency assessment of staff and students within the area assigned. Often works independently and is given freedom of action under the general guidance of a pathologist or other laboratory practitioner. Serves as an expert providing authoritative advice and consultation for markedly difficult, complex, unique, and/or emerging tests requiring special knowledge including, but not limited to, bone marrow examination, genetic testing, and flow cytometry. Processes and stains peripheral blood and bone marrow specimens for Flow Cytometry. Evaluates patient samples for Leukemia/Lymphoma immunophenotyping and T-cell subsets. Performs calibrations, quality control, and maintenance procedures on all equipment in the Flow Cytometry Lab. Prepares and manages all reagent and antibody inventory; orders supplies as needed. Conducts studies and recommends changes to correct deficiencies and improve the Flow Cytometry area. Recommends new/replacement instrumentation. Designs workflow to accomplish objectives in the flow cytometry section. Advises all organizational levels on various aspects of the specialized testing, including the appropriateness of specific tests and takes into consideration the clinical context and usefulness of the test information. Advises on alternate testing to overcome ambiguities in the clinical diagnoses. Serves as consultant and advisor to hematology/oncology, primary and attending physicians, as well as administrative staff, medical, and laboratory personnel. Performs additional duties as needed in the Hematology Section. Complies with established laboratory and hospital policies for standard universal precautions and safety procedures. Responds to all national accreditation agencies, VHA Clinical Laboratory Scientist (National Quality and Compliance Agent), National and VISN inquiries, surveys, and questionnaires as requested. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. The tour of duty covers the first shift of a busy medium sized 24 hour Hospital Laboratory and weekends/extended hours coverage based on facility needs. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Jamie Wunsch at V8_EDRP_Orlando@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 #: 82399F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a trial period. 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. 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). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. 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 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: Clinical Laboratory Scientists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005/72, Part II, Chapter 2, Section D, 5a, and in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education-Transcripts required. A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. NOTE: The Supervisory CLS (Laboratory Director), GS-15, requires unique education requirements. Please reference the education requirements located in that assignment below. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency, and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program. -OR- The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination. NOTE: Possession of a certification identified in the Certification requirement below automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed. Certification-Documentation required. (1) 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 BOC or AMT. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified. GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Technical Specialist Assignments. For all GS-12 assignments above the FPL, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the CLS at least 25% of the time. Candidates at this grade level are in one of the following assignments. Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, methodology of medical laboratory technology, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, medico-legal requirements, and pertinent statistics sufficient to perform complex diagnostic tests. Knowledge of instructional techniques to instruct newly hired clinical laboratory scientists and clinical pathology residents in proper performance of tests and applications of laboratory procedures. Knowledge of one or more advanced clinical laboratory