Clinical Laboratory Scientist

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

Major Duties Include but are not limited to:

• Evaluate the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepare specimens for analysis, ensuring physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained.
• Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor the performance of test procedures, using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognize and react to indicators of malfunction; implement corrections.
• Conduct quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintain proper records for quality control reports. Investigate and take appropriate corrective actions for all out-of-control results. Inform lead tech/Supervisor if QC issues cannot be resolved.
• Perform proficiency testing, currently in the form of College of American Pathologists surveys. In the absence of Supervisor, conduct all inspection related responsibilities with the external agents of College of American Pathology (CAP), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and The Joint Commission (TJC), etc.
• Calibrate, standardize, adjust, and maintain instruments. Verify correct instrument operations using established procedures and quality control checks, linearity studies and monitoring. Identify the cause of common problems and make simple repairs. Performs correlation and method comparison studies for current/new procedures.
• Evaluate the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlate quantitative data with patient data (i.e. history, medications) to verify results.
• Perform additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognize critical tests and results that require immediate attention by the physician and report them timely and accordingly to established procedures.
• Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer. Perform automated and manual testing of patient samples.
• Accession samples and requests with appropriate documentation of any issues as applicable to each work area.
• Assist Lead Scientist and Supervisor in conducting periodic inventory of supplies. Maintain adequate supply levels of reagents and consumables. Record new lot numbers of materials and maintain records of when each reagent lot number was put into use.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 3:30pm-11:00pm or 11:30pm-8:00am, rotating weekends and holidays. (Subject to change based on agency need.)

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 59135F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized