kandidatu USA

Clinical Lab Scientist

Veterans Health Administration · Department of Veterans Affairs

This job in plain English

This is a full-time Clinical Laboratory Scientist job at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville, Kentucky, part of the Veterans Health Administration. It is an open continuous announcement, so applications are referred on set cut-off dates. The job may also be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, which helps repay student loans, and it includes rotating weekends and holidays.

1 vacancy. The announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It may close early. Applications are referred on cut-off dates, the 1st and 15th of each month, starting November 16, 2026. Eligible applications received after a cut-off date are referred at a later date, so sending yours early helps.

Can you apply?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.

  • Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.

This job is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and people who owe allegiance to the U.S. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

What you would do

  • Perform a broad range of lab tests, including advanced and complex procedures.
  • Maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory equipment.
  • Perform quality control checks and document corrective actions.
  • Evaluate specimens and prepare them for testing.
  • Enter and verify lab results in the laboratory computer system.
  • Report abnormal results that need immediate physician attention.

Do you qualify for GS-7 to GS-11?

With experience: For GS-7, no experience is needed beyond the basic requirements. For GS-9, you need 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-7). For GS-11, you need 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-9).

With education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university is a basic requirement. For GS-9, a master's degree or 2 academic years of graduate study in medical technology or a directly related science can qualify you instead of experience. For GS-11, 3 full years of graduate study, or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science, can qualify you instead of experience.

Licenses and certifications you need:

  • Generalist certification as an MLS from ASCP BOC or AMT, or generalist certification as an MT from ASCP BOR or AMT
  • Categorical and specialist certifications are not accepted for this generalist job

How to apply well

What to send:

  • Long-form resume or CV with your name, contact information, and dates for each job
  • Each job on your resume must list employer, job title, start and end month and year, and hours per week
  • Series and grade for any federal jobs listed
  • Generalist certification document (MLS or MT)
  • Transcript, if you use education to qualify
  • Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former federal employee, plus an SF-50 showing one year of time in grade if needed
  • Cover letter, DD-214, SF-15, or VA disability letter, only if they apply to you

How you will be rated: You will be rated on how well your application meets the qualifications. Your resume, CV, and documents will be verified, and the agency will not assume anything about your experience. Missing information or unclear answers may lower your rating or make you ineligible.

Tips for this job:

  • Your resume must clearly show hours per week, start and end months and years, and duties for every job.
  • If you use education to qualify, send your transcript and check that the school is accredited.
  • Make sure your generalist certification (MLS or MT) is valid and included with your application.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time. Various tours are available with rotating weekends and holidays, to be discussed during the interview. You may be moved to another section or shift based on workload and staffing.

Incentives and relocation: Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized. The Education Debt Reduction Program may repay student loans, with awards up to $200,000 for 1 to 5 years, if you meet VHA eligibility and apply within four months of appointment. Former EDRP participants cannot apply for this incentive.

Conditions of employment:

  • U.S. citizenship required
  • Drug test (urinalysis) before appointment
  • Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Background and security investigation
  • Online onboarding with a REAL ID-compliant form of identification
  • Seasonal influenza vaccination required (or approved exemption)
  • 1 or 2-year trial period
  • Must obtain required certification by the deadline set at appointment
  • Intermittent lifting of 15 to 44 pounds and standing or walking up to 4 hours
  • Must be able to distinguish basic colors and work in constant noise

We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.

Job details

Salary
$60,452 – $116,312 per year
Pay scale and grade
GS-7 to GS-11 · General Schedule
Location
Louisville, Kentucky
Appointment
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Openings
1
Security clearance
Not Required
Travel
Not required
Drug test
Not required
Supervisory
No
Occupation
Clinical Laboratory Science (0644)
Announcement
CBTG-13103760-27-JH

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