Medical Technologist

Job Summary

This position is located in the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) within the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (OOMPSJ). 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.

The PHL provides clinical diagnostic testing, disease surveillance, emergency response support, applied research, laboratory training, and other essential services through its laboratory units: Accessioning Unit (ASU), Microbiology Unit (MBU), Clinical Toxicology Unit (CTU), Clinical Toxicology Unit (CTU), Immunology-Virology Unit (IVU), Molecular Diagnostic Unit (MDU) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).

The PHL is a member of the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and operates a Bioterrorism and a Chemical Terrorism laboratory. As an LRN lab, the PHL supports emergency preparedness and response functions to support investigation of chemical or biological terrorism. The incumbent supports Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and is responsible for performing and advising on laboratory testing of human blood, urine, and other body fluids or tissues, using manual or automated techniques; confirming test results and developing 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 insuring compliance with accrediting and regulatory agency requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of a Unit Supervisor and/or Manager, performs complex analysis in one or more laboratory disciplines, including Microbiology, molecular diagnostics, advanced molecular diagnostics, toxicology, Clinical chemistry, and/or Immunology/Virology. 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.; and 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 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and identification of microbial, viral and mycological agents and identifies bacteria, 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; and 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 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 so 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 specimen, reagents, media, file records; and maintains a log of supplies used in the laboratory and keeps area stocked with supplies.

Compiles and collates data requested for dally specimen intake statistics and for evaluation reports periodically. Prepares specimens to be stored or transported to the reference laboratory when necessary. Evaluates, modifies, or adapts new methods or revises standard techniques to improve or expand conciseness, accuracy, precision, specificity, or proficiency of analysis; reviews current literature for improved quality control procedures; 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.

Tests and evaluates newly developed procedures and makes recommendations regarding these procedures to the Director or designee under the direction of the Supervisory Medical Technologist. Operates, maintains, calibrates and conducts performance checks 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 A. 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. 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, 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. and 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. 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-0644-12 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 Uni t: 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 a 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-employment and random Drug 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: When claiming residency preference , you are required, and must agree in writing, to maintain bona fide District residency for a period of seven (7) consecutive years from the effective date of employment. You will be required to present documents (proofs) to show District residency and failure to maintain bona-fide District residency for the seven-year (7-year) period will 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.