Medical Technician - Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA
FT. LEAVENWORTH, KS 66027
About the Job
Medical Technician, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Fort Leavenworth is located near the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area. The immediate area is considered a national treasure with historic sites and homes filled with small-town charm and friendliness merged with Kansas City retail, attractions and entertainment. Kansas City, well known for its BBQ, Jazz and fountains, is rich in culture with a thriving performing arts scene. Honored as one of the World's 15 Most Beautiful Concert Halls, the Kauffman Center attracts some of the world's most renowned performers and entertainers. For the sports enthusiasts, Kansas City hosts professional sports with the Royals, Chiefs and Sporting Kansas City soccer club. An international airport is conveniently located within a 30 minute drive of Fort Leavenworth. More information may be found at Visit KC | Official Tourism Site of Kansas City
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/
Responsibilities:
MAJOR DUTIES
Performs a wide variety of testing in the areas of STAT/routine hematology, coagulation, chemistry, urinalysis, serology, immunoassays, immunohematology, phlebotomy, shipping and processing and microbiology testing.
Conducts informal on-the-job training for other technicians in all departments with the ability to provide instruction based on basic principles and specialized methods of laboratory operations. Performs calibrations of all pipettes and thermometers. Minimizes waste and interrupted service through proper maintenance of supplies in the work environment. Coordinates with Supply Technician for expendable supplies and supply shortfalls to ensure laboratory management is made aware in a prompt fashion. The Medical Laboratory Technician performs routine, complex and non-routine support functions within Laboratory Services including the accumulation and disposition of medical waste, the monitoring of temperatures, proficiency testing as a component of the external monitoring process, and ensures compliance with routine safety standards.
1. CHEMISTRY:
Select, performs and monitors the performance of a wide variety of tests using complex automated analytical systems. Performs high complexity tests including Total Iron-Binding Capacity and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol as part of Lipid testing and HgbA1c. Follows established procedures for testing biological fluids such as whole blood, serum, urine, and other body fluids. Performs dilutions accurately and uses them judiciously. Recognizes, responds to, and troubleshoots error codes, conditions, and malfunctions of the analyzers by using manufacturer operator manuals and via telephonic support assistance when necessary. Uses various computers to perform work via the onboard data management systems utilized by most analyzers.
2. HEMATOLOGY/COAGULATION:
Performs a wide variety of hematology and coagulation testing involving the use of complex automated instrumentation and cell interpretation utilizing microscopic techniques. Performs highly complex analyses of peripheral smears by classifying white blood cells, morphological evaluation of red blood cells, platelet slide estimates and reticulocytes. Requires identification of normal and abnormal cell populations. Performs and calculates manual cell counts on body fluids. Identifies and classifies cells on body fluid smears and crystal analysis on synovial fluids utilizing polarizing microscopy. Performs analysis for post-vasectomy evaluations.
3. PHLEBOTOMY and SEROLOGY:
Performs venipuncture using, vacutainers, capillary puncture, etc. Collects samples into proper containers and prepares them for analysis. Performs serological testing for monospot, Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR), etc.
4. SHIPPING AND PROCESSING:
Technician performs shipping procedures according to Federal, State, and Military guidelines. Maintains an accurate log of all patient samples which require analysis, including the date and time testing is performed, and the results obtained. Centrifuges and prepares patient specimens for in-house testing and shipment to Reference Laboratories. Prepares specimens for shipping and maintains a chain of custody for all legal specimens.
5. URINALYSIS:
Performs urinalysis testing utilizing macroscopic and microscopic techniques. Performs and interprets urine chemistries manually and automated. Technician evaluates urine sediment utilizing microscopic techniques, Interprets the number of red and white cells present, distinguishes between squamous, transitional or renal epithelial cells, various types of casts, crystals and other urine cellular components. Technician performs both urine and serum HCG testing. Technician also performs Rapid Strep testing and culture set ups.
6. MICROBIOLOGY:
Inoculates, cultivates, isolates, classifies and identifies bacterial and other microorganisms present in body fluids, exudates, surface, surgical specimens as well as performs various bacteriological, parasitological procedures to provide data that can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of cause and progress of disease. These diagnostic tests are performed using instrumentation for biochemical panels for proper identification of organisms according to genus and species, Rapid Flu and Rapid Strep testing. Technician performs macroscopic and microscopic examinations of cultures of numerous species of bacteria for the purpose of positive identification, employing cultural, serological, and morphological and biochemical means. Performs gram stains from various sites. Performs analysis for post-vasectomy evaluations.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE:
Technician reports all reference lab results into CHCS including documenting critical values for tissue specimens in accordance with Federal, State, and CAP guidelines. Technician maintains a log of all state reportable results including Kansas Department of Health and Environment
(KDHE) lead surveillance specimens. Requiring additional security clearance, technician updates all MEDPROS results in the system. Technician maintains dashboard metrics turnaround times for thin prep, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), rejected specimens, and specimen acceptability specimens. Updates SOPs, manuals and instructions for revised technical, administrative, and clerical procedures as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Basic Requirements:
Must have at least one year of experience.
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Basic Requirement for a Medical Technician:
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes performing complex testing in a clinical laboratory setting; setting up and/or maintaining equipment; and conducting quality control procedures.
This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Clinical Laboratory Science, Chemistry, or Microbiology.
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) by 18. Add the two percentages.
AND
Certificate: This position has a selective placement factor which must be met prior to employment and for continued employment. 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 Laboratory Technician (MLT) is required.
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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.