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Syracuse VA Medical Center
Clinical Lab Scientist
Entry-Level JobVerifiedNo experience needed
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What they do
A Clinical Laboratory Scientist analyzes samples of body fluids, tissues, and other substances for diagnostic and research purposes within a medical laboratory or healthcare facility. Perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriologic tests. Looks for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms, tests for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment.
$90,786 / year median in New York
+11% projected growth
Job Description
Clinical Lab Scientist Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administrion Veterans Health Administrion -Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY Summary This position is eligible for the Educion 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 applicion 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 Educion Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP applicion. Learn more about this agency Summary This position is eligible for the Educion 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 applicion 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 Educion Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP applicion. Learn more about this agency Overview Help Accepting applicions Locion 1 vacancy in the following locion: Syracuse, NY 1 vacancy No mching locions found. Work site options Telework eligible No Remote job No Relocion expenses reimbursed No Salary $67,250 - $127,393 per year Pay scale & grade
Duties include but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laborory procedures including all testing and tasks of the occupion. In addition, performs advanced and complex laborory procedures; recognizes deviion from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Evalues and solves problems reled to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laborory equipment. Uses, calibres, identifies malfunctions, performs limited minor repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laborory equipment. Diagnoses deviions in test performance due to instrument malfunction and troubleshoots deviions to maintain optimal opering conditions and accuracy of test results. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions reled to test performance using stistical principles when applicable and theories of performance improvement. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Evalues and implements new techniques and procedures in the laborory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using stistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Incorpores principles of educional methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laborory's in-service/continuing educion program. Adheres to practices and regulions governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Communices effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, pients, and others).
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-reled 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 alterne 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 tentive job offer. For more informion about the Act and the complaint process, Human Resources and Administrion/Operions, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) The Fair Chance Act . Expand Hide additional informion Candides should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passione about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United Stes Constitution. Benefits Help 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 th are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn 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 informion on the specific benefits offered. How you evalued You evalued for this job based on how well you meet the qualificions above. Area of Considerion- Eligible applicions reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent VA employees of the facility All other VA employees All other applicants
GS 7 - 11
Promotion potential 11 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 Occupions and job series 0644 Clinical Laborory Science Supervisory stus No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No Drug test Yes Security clearance Other 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 numberCBTE-13029535-26-CM
Control number 879513600 This job is open to Help The public U.S. Citizens, Nionals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. Clarificion from the agency This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. Videos Duties Help This position is in the Phology & Laborory Medicine Service the Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY. The incumbent may be required to rote within the clinical laborory departments (bacteriology, chemistry (including endocrinology and toxicology), molecular biology, coagulion, flow cytometry, genetics, hemology, immunology, immunohemology (blood banking), mycology, parasitology, serology, urinalysis, and virology), on an as needed basis.Duties include but are not limited to: Performs a broad range of laborory procedures including all testing and tasks of the occupion. In addition, performs advanced and complex laborory procedures; recognizes deviion from expected results; analyzes and corrects problems using scientific principles. Evalues and solves problems reled to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis considering physiologic processes and requirements. Maintains and documents the optimal functioning of laborory equipment. Uses, calibres, identifies malfunctions, performs limited minor repairs, and performs preventive maintenance of laborory equipment. Diagnoses deviions in test performance due to instrument malfunction and troubleshoots deviions to maintain optimal opering conditions and accuracy of test results. Performs and documents quality control and assurance activities and corrective actions reled to test performance using stistical principles when applicable and theories of performance improvement. Answers inquiries regarding test results, methodology, test specificity, test sensitivity, and specific factors, which influence test results. Evalues and implements new techniques and procedures in the laborory in terms of equipment, method comparison, and establishment of reference intervals using stistical methods and theoretical knowledge. Incorpores principles of educional methodology in the instruction and training of new employees and students and in the laborory's in-service/continuing educion program. Adheres to practices and regulions governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace. Communices effectively and courteously while working as a healthcare team member. Provides excellent service as defined by the customer (healthcare providers, pients, and others).
Work Schedule :
Sunday to Thursday, 12:00 am (Midnight) to 8:00 am with roting holidays. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Stion (PCS): Not Authorized.EDRP Authorized:
Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinors@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinor for questions/assistance. Learn morePay:
Competitive salary and regular salary increases.Paid Time Off:
37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.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 Stement # : 11980-F, 11966-F, 11964. Requirements Help Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentively selected for VA employment in a testing designed position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registrion is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigion. Selected applicants required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identificion 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 ste-issued identificion cards th are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identificion for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examinion. Participion in the seasonal influenza vaccinion program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all applicion requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evalue 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 organizional 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 termined unless you receive certificion, in writing, th your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualificions Applicants pending the completion of educional or certificion/licensure requirements may be referred and tentively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.Basic Requirements :
United Stes Citizenship :
Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.English Language Proficiency :
Candides must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403 (f). Educion . A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Certificion . Candides must meet one of the following certificion options below. Generalist certificion as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. Generalist certificion as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. Cegorical certificion or Specialist certificion by ASCP orAMT. NOTE
: Cegorical and specialist certificions are not acceptable for CLS Generalist positions or lab sections unreled to the cegorical or specialist certificion held. Cegorical or specialist certificions are acceptable for higher-graded positions within the relevant lab section or one of the non-section specific assignments (including, Ancillary Testing Coordinor, Educion Coordinor, Laborory Informion Manager, Quality Manager, Laborory Manager, Regional Technical Specialist, Nional Quality and Compliance Agent, Regional Program Manager, Regional Director, Laborory Director, or Nional Quality and Compliance Officer). Exception for Non-Certified . Applicants who do not currently hold valid certificion may be hired by VA and actively work toward their certificion if they meet one of the routes th makes them eligible to take the MLS certificion exam through the ASCP BOC or the MLS certificion exam through AMT Certificion Agency. Non-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure may be given a temporary appointment CLS under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7405(c)(2). Non-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified CLS or above the FPL. Non-Certified individuals may only be appointed the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certificion is obtained. Temporary appointments of non-certified CLS may not be extended beyond two (2) years or be converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Certificion . In all cases, CLSs must actively work to meet requirements for certificion starting from the de of their placement into the occupion. At the time of appointment, the Human Resources (HR) Office staff, in collaborion with the supervisor, will provide the employee with the written requirements for certificion, including the time by which the certificion must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to obtain certificion during this time period may result in separion from employment. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfhering Provision as described in the VA Qualificion Standard for this occupion (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupion and meet the criteria).Grade Determinions :
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candides must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement grade levels specified. Clinical Laborory Scientist, GS-07 Experience . None beyond the basic requirements. Clinical Laborory Scientist, GS-09 Experience . 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. OR Educion . Master's degree or 2 academic years of progressively higher-level gradue educion in medical technology or a directly reled science.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
Knowledge of policies and procedures of clinical laborory testing. Knowledge of laborory quality control and quality assurance principles. Knowledge of laborory equipment and routine maintenance. Ability to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments. Ability to read and interpret written instructions. Ability to accurely perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing. Clinical Laborory Scientist,GS-11 Experience . 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR Educion . Must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level gradue educion or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly reled science.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :
Knowledge of professional clinical laborory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories th support sound, independent work. Knowledge of laborory quality control and quality assurance procedures and principles of performance improvement. Skill in informics, laborory da flow, and laborory processes. Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumention. Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laborory results. Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions. Ability to communice, consult, and interact with other members of the health care team, external relions, customer service, and pient educion.Reference:
For more informion on this qualificion standard, please https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificionStandards/ .The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.Physical Requirements:
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. EducionIMPORTANT
A transcript must be submitted with your applicion if you are basing all or part of your qualificions on educion.Note:
Only educion or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your educion here: http://ope.ed.gov/accredition/ . If you are using foreign educion to meet qualificion requirements, you must send a Certifice of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for th educion. For further informion, : https://sites.ed.gov/internional/recognition-of-foreign-qualificions/ . Additional informion Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacion)Leave:
Federal Employees earn annual leave a re (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 re which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment de and is not guaranteed. During the applicion 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 applicion for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further considerion 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 stus.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-reled 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 alterne 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 tentive job offer. For more informion about the Act and the complaint process, Human Resources and Administrion/Operions, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) The Fair Chance Act . Expand Hide additional informion Candides should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passione about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United Stes Constitution. Benefits Help 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 th are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn 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 informion on the specific benefits offered. How you evalued You evalued for this job based on how well you meet the qualificions above. Area of Considerion- Eligible applicions reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent VA employees of the facility All other VA employees All other applicants