Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Overview

Clinical Laboratory Scientist - Darnall Army Medical Center, Ft Hood TX

Fort Hood is located in the beautiful 'hill and lake' country of Central Texas between Killeen and Copperas Cove and is approximately 60 miles north of the capital city of Austin, 50 miles south of Waco, 160 miles south of Dallas, and 150 miles north of San Antonio.

Fort Hood occupies 335 square miles of Bell and Coryell Counties, 60 miles north of Austin and 50 miles south of Waco. Seven surrounding cities with a regional population of approximately 335,000 are partnered with and provide substantial quality of life support to Fort Hood. The installation's principal cantonment area and the adjacent West Fort Hood are bisected by Interstate 14, a four lane controlled access road that flows directly into US Interstate Highway 35, the main North-South route through Texas and Mid-America.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

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Responsibilities

Works directly for the Supervisor of either Ancillary Labs, Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Bank, or Microbiology, the Q1 Tech and Lab Manager.

Serves as a medical technologist in the clinical laboratory with responsibility for performing a variety of procedures in the areas of chemistry, urinalysis, hematology, serology, bacteriology, parasitology, and immunohematology (i.e., toxic and therapeutic drug levels, solving CVC problems, body fluid differentials, direct blood smears, blood cultures, emergency ABO typing, RH typing, and cress matching) including complex analyses and infrequently requested tests; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; and setting up and evaluating quality controls. May serve as the section supervisor in the absence of that supervisor. May assume supervisory duties in the absence of the supervisor.

Selects the procedures, which are appropriate for the request for service and congruent with patient considerations. Processes specimens using equipment, instruments, or techniques that are necessary to prepare them for specific analysis; controls physical conditions; responds to time factors to ensure that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained.

Prepares reagents, assembles equipment, verifies correct instrument operation; standardizes, performs and calculates results for a variety of complex tests such as bone marrow studies, electrophoresis, anaerobic bacteria and parasite identification, multiple antibody identification, and deglycerolize blood.

Identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions which cause erroneous results (instrument malfunctions, conditions of test performance, reaction systems and/or test procedures used). Take appropriate actions to make corrections and solve problems. Conducts literature search if indicated. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiological, and morphologic data with other laboratory data (i.e., blood smear estimates with leukocyte and platelet counts, RBC appearance with indices, hepatitis results with chemistry tests, blood smear with monospot tests) and/or other patient data (i.e., history, physical findings, medications) to verify results. Performs additional tests to clarify abnormal patient results and report results. Accepts referrals of abnormal or unusual results and observations form lower grade laboratory personnel. Advises on course of action to follow when values obtained from standard or control sample values are unacceptable.

Sets up and develops protocols for new instruments and procedures from a sell-establish reference. Tests and develops quality control methods, calculating the mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation, and determining statistical significance.

Assists in developing, maintaining, and modifying various computer applications. Maintains liaison with technical representatives to correct computer programming and resolves common problems. Works with laboratory potion of CHCS (Composite Health Computer System).

Plans and conducts a course (including classroom lectures and bench instruction) in the department and hospital continuing education program. Supplements prescribed course content and instructional materials as necessary.

Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

US Citizenship required

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 at the time the degree was obtained.

OR

B. At least 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 that included 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. All science and mathematics courses must have been acceptable for credit toward meeting the requirements for a science major at an accredited college or university. Acceptable experience is responsible professional or technician experience in a hospital laboratory, health agency, industrial medical laboratory, or pharmaceutical house; or teaching, test development, or medical research program experience that provided an understanding of the methods and techniques applied in performing professional clinical laboratory work. Certification/licensure as a medical technologist (generalist) obtained through written examination by a nationally recognized credentialing agency or State licensing body is a good indication that the quality of experience is acceptable.

Evaluation of Education and Experience: The four major areas of clinical laboratory science are microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, and immunohematology (blood banking). Qualifying course work in these areas includes bacteriology, mycology, mycobacteriology, tissue culture, virology, parasitology, endocrinology, enzymology, toxicology, urinalysis, coagulation, hemostasis, cell morphology, immunology, serology, immunoserology, immuno-deficiency, hemolysis, histocompatibility, cyto-genetics, and similar disciplines or areas of laboratory practice.

Related fields include physiology, anatomy, molecular biology, cell biology, embryology, pathology, genetics, pharmacology, histology, cytology, nuclear medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, infection control, physics, statistics, and similar areas of science where the work is directly related to the position to be filled.

Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0644 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes providing testing in a laboratory. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR

Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: medical technology, chemistry, biology or education that is directly related to the position.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience : A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

AND

Certification Requirement : Certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Medical Technologist (AMT) or other board or registry deemed comparable by Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (OASD(HA)) or their designee as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) is required. (Copy of certification must be submitted with application package.)

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION : If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.