Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

The Veterans Health Administration was seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist for the Tomah VA Medical Center in Tomah, WI. This position performs a broad range of clinical laboratory procedures, evaluates and processes biological specimens, maintains laboratory equipment, performs quality control and quality assurance activities, supports laboratory safety and compliance, interprets test-related issues, and assists with training, procedure development, and technical guidance within the laboratory.

Agency: Veterans Health Administration

Facility: Tomah VA Medical Center

Location: Tomah, WI

Vacancies: 1

Salary: $61,426 - $111,046 per year

Pay Scale & Grade: GS-7 to GS-11

Promotion Potential: GS-11

Work Schedule: Full-time; primarily days, rotating tours, 7:30am - 8:00pm and 8:00am - 4:30pm; no weekends; will rotate holidays and associated on-call

Appointment Type: Permanent

Telework: Not available

Remote/Virtual: Not available

Travel Required: Not required

Relocation Expenses: Not reimbursed

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

PCS: Not authorized

Drug Test: Required

Security Clearance: Not required

Position Sensitivity/Risk: Non-sensitive / Low Risk

Background Check: Credentialing and suitability/fitness required

Financial Disclosure: Not required

Federal Service: Excepted Service

Union Representation: Yes

Supervisory Status: No

Functional Statement: 06374F, 06375F, 06376F

Announcement Number: CAZP-12981487-26-SNS

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform a broad range of laboratory procedures, including all testing and tasks of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist occupation.
• Evaluate and solve problems related to collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis.
• Maintain and document optimal functioning of laboratory equipment.
• Use, calibrate, troubleshoot, repair, and perform preventive maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• Diagnose deviations in test performance due to instrument malfunction.
• Perform and document quality control and quality assurance activities.
• Document corrective actions related to test performance using statistical principles and performance improvement methods.
• Follow practices and regulations governing biosafety and biosecurity in the workplace.
• Identify discrepancies, solve problems, and present solutions.
• Answer inquiries regarding test results, methodology, specificity, sensitivity, and factors that influence test results.
• Interpret results and suggest follow-up test selection or procedures.
• Evaluate and implement new laboratory techniques and procedures, including equipment evaluation, method comparison, and reference interval establishment.
• Train new employees and students and support laboratory in-service and continuing education programs.
• Communicate effectively and courteously as a member of the health care team.
• Give direction and guidance using principles of laboratory testing.
• Organize work and set priorities to meet deadlines.
• Maintain knowledge of and comply with federal regulations associated with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988.
• Maintain operations, including preventive maintenance and training on new test systems.
• Assist in writing procedures and other laboratory documents.
• Modify or adapt methods and techniques to improve or expand laboratory services.
• Develop protocols for test performance and result evaluation.
• Ensure laboratory tests and procedures are consistent with accrediting agency standards and requirements.
• Recognize methodology limitations such as linearity, interference, sensitivity, and specificity.
• Perform validation and method verification studies for new systems.
• Monitor and maintain inventory, including reagents, calibrators, and quality control materials.
• Consult with health care providers regarding appropriate protocols for diagnosis confirmation or patient risk assessment.
• Provide technical advice to staff and other health care team members.
• Assist with staff competency assessment as applicable.
• Coordinate and support teaching activities for Clinical Laboratory Scientist students in a NAACLS-accredited CLS program.

Basic Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen. Non-citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Must meet one of the accepted certification options for Clinical Laboratory Scientist qualification.
• Must be subject to background/security investigation.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Must pass pre-employment drug testing and remain subject to testing requirements for this testing designated position.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must complete all application requirements and online onboarding requirements.
• Must provide acceptable identification for employment eligibility verification.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for Department of Veterans Affairs health care personnel.
• Selected applicant will be required to serve a one-year or two-year trial period.

Certification Requirements:

• Generalist certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist from ASCP BOC or AMT; or
• Generalist certification as a Medical Technologist from ASCP BOR or AMT; or
• Categorical certification or Specialist certification from ASCP or AMT.

Eligibility:

• This announcement was open to the public, including U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the United States.
• This announcement was also open to current federal employees of the hiring agency.
• The two-page resume requirement did not apply to this position.
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
• This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

GS-7 Qualification Requirements:

• Must meet the basic qualification requirements.
• No additional experience beyond the basic requirements is required.

GS-9 Qualification Requirements:

• Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade; or
• Must have a master's degree or two academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in medical technology or a directly related science.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of clinical laboratory testing policies and procedures.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance principles.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of laboratory equipment and routine maintenance.
• Must be able to work as a team member and effectively complete assignments.
• Must be able to read and interpret written instructions.
• Must be able to accurately perform pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing.

GS-11 Qualification Requirements:

• Must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or
• Must have three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in medical technology or a directly related science.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of professional clinical laboratory science principles, practices, concepts, and theories supporting sound independent work.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of laboratory quality control, quality assurance, and performance improvement principles.
• Must demonstrate skill in informatics, laboratory data flow, and laboratory processes.
• Must be able to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair instrumentation.
• Must be able to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.
• Must be able to read, interpret, and apply complex written instructions.
• Must be able to communicate, consult, and interact with health care team members, external contacts, customers, and patients.
• GS-11 is the full performance level of this vacancy.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university is required.
• Transcript must be submitted if using education to qualify.
• Education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Foreign education must be supported by a certificate of foreign equivalency if used to meet qualification requirements.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Applicants were evaluated based on application materials, resume, CV, supporting documents, and qualification requirements.
• Experience had to be clearly and specifically described because the agency stated it would not make assumptions.
• Pre-employment reference checks may be used to verify information and support final selection decisions.

Required Documents:

• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-50 / Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript
• Standard Clinical Resume Document uploaded into the restricted resume field
• Full resume or CV may be uploaded separately into the Other document upload field without page limitation
• Cover letter, DD-214 / Statement of Service, disability letter, SF-15, and other supporting documents, if applicable
• Veterans' preference documentation, if claiming preference

Benefits:

• Comprehensive federal benefits package.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on appointment type and work schedule.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service, subject to approval.
• Federal employees may have access to health insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, and other federal benefits.

Application Deadline: June 29, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Status: Closed; reviewing applications

This announcement for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist position at the Tomah VA Medical Center closed on June 29, 2026. Applications are currently listed as being reviewed.

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