Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Quick Facts

• Role: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (GS-07 to GS-11; full performance level GS-11)
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm
• Telework: Not available; not a virtual position
• Pay/Benefits: Competitive federal salary with regular increases; paid time off and federal benefits

Description

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist develops, performs, evaluates, interprets, correlates, and validates clinical laboratory procedures and results in line with current regulatory requirements. Testing covers multiple laboratory disciplines including chemistry, blood bank, immunology, hematology, urinalysis, serology, coagulation, and microbiology (including parasitology and mycobacteriology). The role includes end-to-end responsibility for pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic processes to ensure accurate test performance.

Responsibilities

• Perform a broad range of laboratory procedures across pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases; perform phlebotomy as required
• Recognize deviations from expected results and use scientific principles to analyze and correct problems
• Evaluate specimen collection and processing, accounting for physiologic processes and specimen requirements
• Maintain and document optimal laboratory equipment function; calibrate, identify malfunctions, repair, and perform preventive maintenance
• Perform and document quality control/quality assurance and corrective actions using statistical principles
• Adhere to biosafety and bio-security practices and workplace regulations
• Identify discrepancies, solve problems, and present solutions
• Correlate abnormal results with pathological states, determine validity, and recommend additional testing
• Answer technical inquiries and interpret results; suggest follow-up testing and procedures
• Evaluate and implement new techniques and procedures (equipment/method comparison and reference interval establishment using statistical methods)
• Use educational methodology to train new employees/students and support in-service/continuing education
• Organize work and prioritize to meet deadlines with minimal technical supervision
• Participate in proficiency testing; may serve in targeted roles such as safety officer, analyzer specialist, QC specialist, or competency/proficiency coordinator

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (13–26 annual leave, 13 sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays)
• Parental Leave: up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment
• Child Care Subsidy: after 60 days for eligible full-time employees with family income below $144,000
• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions
• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental and other coverage options (including term life and long-term care)
• Many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement