Clinical Lab Scientist (Blood Bank Technical Specialist)

Clinical Lab Scientist (Blood Bank Technical Specialist)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Dayton, Ohio

Salary Range: $101522 - $131984 Per Year

Job Summary: The incumbent serves as a Technical Specialist Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) for Blood Bank in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Program. The Blood Bank Technical Specialist CLS plans, develops and supervises all educational programs for Transfusion Medicine residents, new staff, and recertification of current staff. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series

Major Duties:

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Reviews and verifies Blood Bank test results, including off-hour and weekend work, ensuring compliance with CAP, CLIA, AABB, FDA, and Joint Commission standards. Directs and advises Blood Bank staff in correcting errors and notifies attending providers as appropriate. Assists the Supervisory CLS and Blood Bank Director in developing and executing the laboratory Quality Management Plan. Manages and disseminates directives, regulations, and inspection reports from FDA and accrediting agencies. Develops, implements, and evaluates quality control (QC) and proficiency testing programs; monitors corrective actions for identified deficiencies. Writes, updates, and maintains Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other laboratory documentation to meet regulatory standards. Analyzes data and prepares reports on proficiency testing, audit results, adverse events, and corrective actions. Serves as a member of the Blood Utilization Review Committee, monitoring transfusion practices, adverse reactions, and utilization statistics. Generates and presents monthly transfusion and quality assurance reports to Medical Center leadership. Plans, coordinates, and conducts training programs for residents, new employees, and existing staff in accordance with quality requirements. Provides technical consultation and training to nursing and clinical staff regarding Blood Bank procedures and policies. Validates and implements changes to the Blood Bank computer package and provides technical oversight of computer data entry and LMIP reporting. Provides advanced technical guidance and troubleshooting for antibody identification, transfusion reaction workups, and instrument performance issues. Maintains appropriate inventory and supply levels, including procurement of blood and blood components per established contracts. Performs complex and specialized blood bank testing using manual and automated methods; validates results and correlates findings with clinical data. Ensures accuracy and validity of results through quality control and assurance programs; identifies and resolves instrument or assay problems. Adheres to biosafety and biosecurity regulations; maintains a clean, organized, and safe work environment. Participates in process improvement and performance improvement initiatives to enhance laboratory operations and service quality. Provides training and mentorship to students, technologists, and other laboratory personnel; may serve as acting supervisor in the absence of the Supervisory CLS. Maintains professional competency through continuing education, seminars, and certification requirements. Applies knowledge of laboratory regulatory, licensing, and accrediting standards to maintain compliance in all aspects of Blood Bank operations. Other limited duties included would be: Performing tasks in the Clinical Testing Unit (CTU) on an irregular basis: Performing phlebotomy Accessioning and Processing Being competent in Hematology, Coagulation, Special Hematology, and Blood Gas analysis Performing limited tasks in Chemistry and Urinalysis Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 0700-1530/rotating weekends/holidays Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: 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). 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) Functional Statement #:93092-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications: 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: Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education: Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, medical technology, clinical laboratory science or in a related science (e.g., laboratory sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, immunology, etc.). Certification: Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT. OR Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT. 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: GS-12 Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Full Performance) This is the full performance level (FPL) for the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) position assigned to the Clinical Testing Unit, Microbiology, or Pathology department within P&LMS at Dayton VAMC, Dayton, Ohio. The incumbent must meet the basic requirements and the additional Experience or Education requirements as defined in the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Qualification Standard (GS-0644). The CLS at this level independently carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory. The CLS is responsible for evaluating, performing, interpreting, and validating the accuracy and validity of test results. The incumbent performs a variety of delicate and complex tests on biological specimens and serves as a generalist in medical technology with responsibility for performing procedures in all areas of Specimen Collection and Processing including send out testing, Chemistry, Immunochemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Blood Bank, Blood Gas, Urinalysis, Microbiology, Molecular, Histology, and Pathology. Experience or Education: Candidates at this level must meet one of the criteria below:(a) Experience. 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR (b) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 functions. Skill to apply new scientific/technical developments to develop procedures for new tests and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of a clinical laboratory. Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to accomplish the work of the specific laboratory section. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 11/07/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12817302. 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.

Application Deadline: 2025-11-07