This Clinical Laboratory Scientist position is for the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Laboratory within the Laboratory Services Section (LSS) for the Department of Transfusion Medicine (DTM) at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. The incumbent must demonstrate a strong working knowledge of HLA and immunology theories, techniques, and methodologies to perform histocompatibility testing.

Duties

As the Clinical Laboratory Scientist within the HLA section, your duties will include, but are not limited to the following: Receives and evaluates adequacy of clinical specimens for testing, including specimen identification and integrity. Processes specimens for testing. Performs specialized and technically demanding analytical procedures for diagnostic and research purposes. Identifies and addresses issues in testing that may affect results, such as interfering substances, disease conditions, limitations of the test procedure, or other problems in the test system. Reviews and analyzes daily quality control data develops procedures and parameters for correlation of test results, troubleshoot protocols for quality control purposes. Reviews, interprets and correlates laboratory results upon completion of tests. Retrieves information as needed to aid in the evaluation of tests results when inconsistencies arise. Performs QA functions in support of a supervisor, recognizes deficiencies and proposes modification and adaptations to methods and approaches to improve test systems. Participates in laboratory proficiency testing programs. Troubleshoots instruments and test methods when necessary and documents corrective actions. Performs complex troubleshooting with minimal support. Evaluates, modifies, or adapts new methods or revises standard techniques to improve or expand quantitativeness, accuracy, precision, specificity, or proficiency of analyses. Compares new methods with existing or reference methods by the evaluation of linearity, accuracy, and precision statistics and the analysis of cost impact and operational efficiencies.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.)
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.
• Position requires Education, please submit transcripts
• Physical Requirements : will require a pre-employment physical and applicant must be able to lift/carry up to 15 pounds.
• This position is an Emergency Essential position

Qualifications

To qualify for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, GS-0644-11, if you meet one of the following qualification requirements: A. Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from a regionally accredited college/university including courses in biological science, chemistry and mathematics, AND successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (external link) at the time the degree was obtained. OR B. A full 4-year course of study that included 12 months in a college or hospital-based medical technology program or medical technology school approved by a recognized accrediting organization. The professional medical technology curriculum may have consisted of a 1-year post- bachelor's certificate program or the last 1 or 2 years of a 4-year program of study culminating in a bachelor's in medical technology. OR C. A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree from an accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological science (with one semester in microbiology), 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry (with one semester in organic or biochemistry), one semester (one quarter) of mathematics, AND five years of full time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, microbiology, Immunology and Urinalysis/Body Fluids. This combination of education and experience must have provided knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of medical technology equivalent to that provided by the full 4-year course of study described in A or B above. In addition, in order to qualify for a Clinical Laboratory position at the GS-11 level, you must: Have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: performing specimen testing and results analysis for human body fluids and tissues especially for the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system and histocompatibility testing; ensuring quality assurance of HLA testing, methodologies and equipment; and planning and implementing process improvements in the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Laboratory. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay. Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12224567

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Contacts

• Address National Institutes of Health 6701 Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20892 US
• Name: NIH HR Service Desk Branch E
• Email: [email protected]