Health Student Trainee (Clinical Laboratory Specialist)

Description:

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist VA Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP) Program is for outstanding students who have completed the final semester or quarter of the junior year in a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or who are enrolled in a 15-month accredited baccalaureate clinical laboratory scientist program. Students who will be completing their junior year in the spring of 2025 are eligible to apply for the summer of 2025.

Requirements:

Basic Requirements :

Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education and experience.

• Be currently enrolled in an accredited Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The CGPA must be computed on post-secondary academic work taken within the past 3 years or based on academic work accepted for credit towards the nursing, medical laboratory scientist, or pharmacy degree. While a student may have a grade of "C" in a specialty course, the cumulative GPA for their specialty courses may not be less than a 3.0. Only data on official transcripts will be used for determining grade qualifications;
• Have completed the final semester or quarter of the junior year in a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) program or who are enrolled in a 15-month accredited baccalaureate clinical laboratory scientist program?
• Be able to complete a minimum of 400 hours as a Medical Technologist VALOR student at VANTXHCS Dallas location.
• Meet physical examination standards at the time of entry in the Medical Technologist VA-STEP program.

English Language Proficiency. Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

Grade Determinations : Students will be appointed under 38 United States Code (U.S.C) 7405(a)(1)(D) at 80 percent of the local VA Facility per annum salary rate for GS-7 Step 1, on the general schedule.

GS-07 (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Preferred Experience:

• Completion of Junior year of 4-year Medical Laboratory Sciences program by the end of Spring semester or enrolled in a Medical Laboratory Sciences Post-Baccalaureate Program.
• Minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Minimum CGPA of Medical Laboratory Sciences courses of 3.0.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4-6 hours); Standing (4-6 hours); Both legs required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted).