Clinical Lab Scientist

Clinical Lab Scientist US Veterans Health Administration

• 3.8 Tampa, FL Job Details Full-time $64,508
• $124,117 a year 10 hours ago Qualifications Collaborate with healthcare professionals English Laboratory equipment repair Quality assurance standard operating procedures Quality improvement Data interpretation Equipment malfunction response Instrumentation repair Biological analysis Laboratory information systems (LIS) Instrument maintenance Machine minor repairs Technical Proficiency Full Job Description Summary The purpose of this position is to serve as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) assigned to the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service in the Microbiology Section.

The CLS performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates the accuracy of laboratory procedures and results in line with current laboratory requirements. Testing procedures are performed on a variety of biological specimens and/or environmental samples using manual and automated methods. Learn more about this agency This job is open to The public U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Clarification from the agency This vacancy announcement is open to US Citizens.

NOTE:

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Duties GS-11

Level:

A. Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. B. Evaluates the suitability of the specimen for analysis, requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. Prepare specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. C. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports. D. Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.

Work Schedule :

Monday-Friday, 7:00am

• 3:30pm, rotating weekends and holidays.

Telework :

Not Available Virtual:

This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # : 70657

F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives :

Authorized 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. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 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 in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Education

• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

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. 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. NOTE

: Categorical and specialist certifications are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unrelated to the categorical or specialist certification held. Categorical or specialist certifications are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Laboratory Information Manager, Quality Manager, Laboratory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, National Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laboratory Director, or National Quality and Compliance Officer).

Grandfathering :

See "Additional Information" for specific information regarding the Grandfathering Provision.

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

: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at the grade level specified. GS-11 Clinical Laboratory Scientist Experience

• OR•Education•AND•Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Full Performance Level) 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 (GS-09).

• 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.

• AND•Certification.

Certification is

REQUIRED

at this level. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) . In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following

KSAs:

Knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories that support sound, independent work. Knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement. Skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results. Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions. Ability to communicate, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relations, customer service, and patient education. Assignment . A CLS at this full performance level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. Please review the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard

• GS-0644 for additional details of the assignment at the GS-11 Grade Level.

Preferred Experience:

At least 1 year of Clinical Microbiology experience.

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements:

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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/. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation)

Leave:

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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. Required Documents To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Special Note for

Applications:

To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. 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) 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. Professional Certification Resume SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. 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 06/24/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12981578. 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. Agency contact information Terrence Clark Phone 469-785-5997 Email Address James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US Next steps Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE:

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full

• and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities. Overview Accepting applications Posted today

• Apply by 06/24/26 Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 24, 2026 Location 1 vacancy in the following location: Tampa, FL 1 vacancy No matching locations found. Work site options Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No Salary $64,508
• $124,117 per year Pay scale & grade GS 11 Promotion potential None Learn more about pay scale and grade Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Not required Appointment type Permanent Occupations and job series 0644 Clinical Laboratory Science Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union Yes Drug test Yes Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job. Background check type Credentialing Suitability/Fitness Financial disclosure required No Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests. Announcement number

CBTC-12981578-26-TC

Control number 872441300