Foreign Service Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist (RMLS)

The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist (RMLS) positions. Learn more about Foreign Service medical careers at https://careers.state.gov. There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation. At the time of application, the candidate must possess: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Medical Laboratory Science or Clinical Laboratory Science from a regionally accredited college/university that is also accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); OR A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Medical Technology from a regionally accredited college/university; OR A Bachelor's degree in a Biological Science from a regionally accredited college/university with the following components: 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in biology including one semester in microbiology, and 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in chemistry including one semester in organic or biochemistry, which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the baccalaureate degree; OR A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college/university with 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in biology including one semester in microbiology, and 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in chemistry, which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the Bachelor's degree, and successful completion of a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training course. Education from a program or institution within the United States must be accredited at the time of program completion by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign Education Foreign education acquired outside of any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services (NACES or AICE) to be given credit towards qualification. The accredited interpretation must include the summary and the foreign education transcripts. The Department of State will not accept foreign education transcripts that have not been evaluated by a credential evaluation service and will terminate the candidacy. For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, please refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Foreign Education section, and the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of State neither endorses nor recommends any individual evaluation service. OPM: www.opm.gov U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov Please refer to the Required Documents section on how to submit the required educational documentation for this position. Licensure and Certification The candidate must hold a current national certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification. Those credentialed prior to 01/01/2004 must upload their certification with no expiration. Those credentialed after 01/01/2004 must upload their current, active certification. Primary source verification of ASCP credentials may be completed online through the ASCP website. Follow the instructions provided on the online order form. Immediate on-screen results are available at the time the order is placed. The option to print verification results from the website is available at the time the order is placed and/or later, post login. Additional Certifications Upon Hire and During Duration of Career Valid American Red Cross or American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required 90 days after hire and must be maintained throughout employment with the Department. If a candidate does not have BLS certification at the time of hire, MED will provide the course and certification after onboarding. Specialized Experience The candidate must have a minimum of five (5) years of full-time post-certification laboratory experience within the last ten (10) years in the Chemistry, Hematology, and Immunology (i.e., Core Lab) areas of the laboratory, with experience and working knowledge in Parasitology, Microbiology, Blood Banking, and Urinalysis, with progressively responsible experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Benefits include health and medical coverage, federal retirement benefits, and paid leave. Overseas benefits include tax-free housing and a tax-free education allowance for dependent children between K–12 overseas, and an unrivaled opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures. The starting salary range is FP-05, steps 5 through 14, from the Foreign Service Overseas pay scales. The starting step is determined in part by graduate level education and specialized experience beyond minimum qualifications. Additional steps may be granted based on the following: one step for the first graduate degree below the doctoral level in a work-related field awarded before the date of appointment; two steps for a doctoral degree in a work-related field awarded before the date of appointment; one step for a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Clinical Laboratory Science, other applicable Scientific Master's degree, or Laboratory Management; one step for a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Individuals already working in government positions may be appointed based on their highest previous rate as a federal employee. Recruitment Bonus Candidates are eligible for a 10 percent recruitment bonus. Continuing Medical Education (CME) The Department of State provides expenses for obtaining CME credit hours. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. It is the candidate's responsibility to complete the application process and prepare all required documents before the closing deadline. There are no exceptions. Complete the application process by registering to take the online skills test as indicated in the steps below. Do not apply through USAJobs. 1. Visit https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/dos/specialist.html and create a web account. 2. Follow the instructions to complete application process. 3. Answer any self-assessment/affirmation questions. Your information is automatically saved as you proceed. You may interrupt the application process and return to it at any time until you submit. 4. Complete, review, and submit the information. Once submitted, your information will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. Candidates have until two weeks after the closing date of the vacancy announcement to register with Pearson VUE and complete the online skills test. Select an appointment date within this time frame to take the skills test at one of Pearson VUE's test centers. The test is an important part of the selection process, covering the Job Knowledge, English Expression, and Situational Judgment necessary to perform the functions of this position. If you are having technical difficulty with the application process, please contact the Pearson VUE Customer Service Desk by calling 1-888-671-2197 (toll free). The Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time and is closed on local holidays.