Clinical Laboratory Scientist

What you would do

• Prepare standards, controls, solutions, and reagents needed for testing.
• Perform primary review of patient test results.
• Compare results with other lab findings and patient history before reporting.
• Check that lab instruments work correctly using quality control checks.
• Find causes of common and complex problems and make repairs.
• Help evaluate new test procedures and perform specialized studies.

Do you qualify for GS-9?

With experience: You need one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-7. This means doing clinical laboratory diagnostic testing, operating lab instruments, or reporting final results in a lab information system. Current federal employees in the 0644 series since September 27, 2017 or earlier are exempt from the basic education requirement.

With education: You must meet one basic requirement: (A) a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited college with biology, chemistry, and math courses, plus a NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist program; (B) a full 4-year course of study that included 12 months in an accredited medical technology program; or (C) a bachelor's or higher degree with 16 semester hours of biology (including one microbiology semester), 16 semester hours of chemistry (including one organic or biochemistry semester), one math semester, plus five years of full-time clinical lab experience. Instead of the one year of specialized experience, a master's or equivalent graduate degree in a directly related field such as medical technology, chemistry, biology, or education can qualify you. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private organization or given full credit by a U.S. accredited school.

Licenses and certifications you need:

• Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) from ASCP, AMT, or another board the agency considers comparable

How to apply well

What to send:

• Resume of two pages or less showing employer, job title, start and end dates (month and year), hours per week, and tasks
• Copy of your MT or MLS certification or license (required or you are rated ineligible)
• College transcripts if you qualify through education (required or you are rated ineligible)
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration, if you are a man born after 1959
• Documents proving any veterans' or other preference you claim
• Documentation of the federal 0644 exemption, if you claim it
• Most recent performance appraisal, if applicable
• Cover letter (optional)

How you will be rated: Your application package, including your resume, supporting documents, and questionnaire answers, is reviewed to see if you meet the qualifications. If the agency finds you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration.

Tips for this job:

• Your resume must be two pages or less and list hours per week for each job, or it may be marked incomplete.
• Upload your MT or MLS certificate and transcripts with your application, or you will be rated ineligible.
• Avoid acronyms and technical shorthand on your resume, because the agency will not guess what your experience means.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time. The position is mission essential, so you may need to report to work during severe weather or emergencies.

Incentives and relocation: Relocation expenses are not reimbursed. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moving costs are not authorized.

Conditions of employment:

• Pre-placement medical exam, then yearly
• Moderate to heavy lifting up to 40 pounds may be required
• Mission Essential: must report to or remain at work in severe weather or emergencies
• Background investigation; suitability or fitness determination may apply
• One-year trial or probationary period may be required
• Pre-employment drug test and random drug testing; urinalysis before appointment
• Immunization screening; Hepatitis B vaccine required for direct patient contact
• Annual seasonal influenza vaccination unless medically or religiously exempt
• Tuberculosis testing required
• Selective Service registration for men born after 1959
• Direct deposit of pay required
• Selection may be restricted by DoD referral system for displaced employees

Job details

Salary

$61,722 – $80,243 per year

Pay scale and grade

GS-9 · General Schedule

Location

Beaufort, South Carolina

Appointment

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Competitive

Openings

1

Security clearance

Not Required

Travel

Not required

Drug test

Not required

Supervisory

No

Occupation

Clinical Laboratory Science (0644)

Announcement

HSJT-26-13103183-DHA