Medical Technologist

DC Department of Human Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Forensic Sciences seeks a Medical Technologist (Clinical Toxicology Unit) to perform and advise on laboratory testing of human biological samples, ensuring accuracy and reliability for public safety purposes.

Responsibilities include complex analyses, specimen preparation, quality control, and adherence to regulatory standards, with emphasis on method development and data interpretation in a busy toxicology lab.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience directly related to medical laboratory work.
• ACCEPTABLE education combining biology, chemistry, and math.
• Certification/licensure as a medical technologist is a good indication of quality.

Responsibilities

• Performs complex analyses including microscopy, immunology, virology, biology and chemistry with result interpretation.
• Prepares clinical specimens and analyzes lab reports for accuracy and quality control.
• Operates, calibrates, and maintains clinical instruments following manufacturer instructions.
• Participates in proficiency testing and reviews literature for improved QC procedures.

Skills

Microscopy

Nucleic acid testing

Laboratory testing

Quality control

Immunology

Education

Biological science degree

NAACLS MLS/CLS program

Four-year medical technology program

Clinical laboratory experience 5 years

Medical technologist certification

Tools

LIMS

PCR

Job description

Job Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (ODMPSJ) in the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS). The mission of the DFS is to provide high-quality, timely, accurate, and reliable forensic science services using best practices and best available technology, focusing on unbiased science and transparency, to enhance public safety and health.

Job Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (ODMPSJ) in the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS). The mission of the DFS is to provide high-quality, timely, accurate, and reliable forensic science services using best practices and best available technology, focusing on unbiased science and transparency, to enhance public safety and health. Medical Technologist (Clinical Toxicology Unit) performs and advises on laboratory testing of human blood, urine, and other body fluids or tissues, using manual or automated techniques; confirms test results and develop data which may be used in determining the presence and extent of disease or in support of research; modifying or designing laboratory procedures: establishing and monitoring quality control systems and measures; providing basic theory, technical skills, and application of laboratory test procedures; and insures compliance with accrediting and regulatory agency requirements.

Duties And Responsibilities

Performs complex analysis e.g., microscopy, immunology, virology, biology, bacteriology, hematology, and chemical tests and provides their results. Prepares clinical specimens from throat, urine, wounds, eyes, feces, etc., for microbiological analyses by inoculation of appropriate media and by microscopic examination of specimens (gram stain), etc. prepares cultures of tissue samples, establishes and monitors programs that ensure data accuracy; and analyzes lab reports for accuracy; and prepares samples for examination, using automated equipment and specialized instrumentation, performing numerous complicated tests simultaneously and accurately interpreting the results. Identifies viruses and bacteria specimens from clinical and referral laboratories by growth, physiological, enzymatic, and biochemical characteristics, and nucleic acid testing; and collects and study samples to determine the morphology; performs. scientific procedures of advanced complexity, such as nucleic acid extraction for PCR testing and identification of microbial, viral, and mycological agents and identifies bacteria and fungi and viruses by immunofluorescence microcopy; and enterotoxin testing by enzymatic immune assays (EIA) as well as time resolved fluorescence (TRF) as required by protocols in use. Determines the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial agents by disc, broth and/or automated methods. Evaluates new test procedures or schemes to identify bacteria for the development and evaluation of techniques and media to identify more rapidly and to isolate bacteria that are difficult to culture in standard media; and identifies and confirms the serotypes E. coli, Shigella and Salmonellae by somatic and flagellar antigen as well as by pulse field get electrophoresis; and determines the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial agents by disc, broth and/or automated methods; also makes recommendations regarding these procedures under the direction of the supervisor to the department Director or designee. Participates in proficiency testing programs which are devised by such agencies as the College of American Pathologists, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in order that unknown specimens can be analyzed, and the results compared to established values on a national level.
Receives accessions, and logs specimens into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); prepares reports and maintains records of work performed on patient specimens, reagents, media, file records; and maintains a log of supplies used in the laboratory and keeps area stocked with supplies. Periodically compile and collate data requested for daily specimen intake statistics and for evaluation reports, When required prepares specimens to be stored or transported to the reference laboratory. Evaluates, modifies, or adapts new methods or revises standard techniques to improve or expand quantitativeness, accuracy, precision, specificity, or proficiency of analyses; and reviews current literature for improved quality control procedures; and evaluates new quality control protocols to determine their suitability for use, and determines if additional information is needed for clarification of test results and/or to establish a definitive diagnosis, and confers with other staff on additional tests as necessary. Under the direction of a supervisory microbiologist the incumbent test and evaluate newly developed procedures and makes recommendations regarding these procedures to the Director or designee. Operates, maintains, calibrates and conducts performance check on clinical instruments and scientific equipment and performs preventive maintenance on these instruments and quality control procedures for those instruments as outlined in the manufacturer's instructions and operation manuals; and conducts periodic inventory of reagents materials and equipment necessary for uninterrupted laboratory testing.

Qualifications And Education

Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, the incumbent must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

• 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
• 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
• 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. 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.

Licensures and Certifications

None.

Work Environment

The work is performed in an office and a laboratory. The office setting is when preparing documentation and the laboratory setting is during the testing and analysis phase. The incumbent may be exposed to hazardous materials, toxic substances, and blood borne pathogens and is required to follow safe laboratory practices and wear protective clothing gear such as laboratory coats, fume hoods, safety goggles, radiation badges, aprons, gloves, and shields, etc. and to adopt sterile techniques.
The nature of the DFS mission necessarily involves the potential risks associated with biological or chemical hazards, including morgue functions. Although contact with these functions is intended to be minimal, the risks are nevertheless possible; training to recognize, address, and mitigate these risks is required as is dealing with potentially personally difficult topics, such as crime, death, and disease.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0644-11
Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential
Type of Appointment: Career Service (CS), Term Appointment, Not-to-Exceed (NTE) 13-months. This is a grant funded position. Employment will be contingent on continuation of eligible funding.
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement, National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R3-09, and you may be required to pay an agency service fee (union dues) through direct payroll deduction.
Position Suitability: This position is designated as Safety Sensitive position and is subject to mandatory pre-employment and periodic Criminal Background Checks and Traffic Records Checks (as applicable). This position is also subject to mandatory pre-employmentand randomDrug and Alcohol Testing.In this position, you may be disqualified from employment based on the presence of marijuana in test results, even if you possess a medical card authorizing the use of medical marijuana.
Position Designation: This position has been designated as Emergency and acceptance of this offer confirms you agree to adhere to the policies in sections 1271 and 1274 of DPM Chapter 12, regarding essential/emergency employees. As an emergency employee, you will be required to either report to work, stay at work, or telework (if directed to do so) during a declared emergency or during a period of non-emergency where your duties have been deemed as critical District government functions/operations. You may be required to perform other duties outside of your position description during a period of a declared emergency (such as manual labor, shelter services, etc.).
Residency Preference: Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement:

The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.