Medical Technologist

This position is contingent on contract award.

This position will support the US Department of Veterans Affairs Critical Staffing Program.  The person in this position will represent International SOS Government Medical Services Inc. and provide services outlined below: 

International SOS Government Medical Services Inc. is looking for an individual who is an experienced Medical Technologist to perform complex laboratory tests and analysis to assist in the diagnosis treatment and prevention of diseases ensuring the accuracy and reliability of test results. They utilize advanced laboratory techniques and equipment to provide critical data for patient care and medical decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform high complex molecular laboratory testing such as: 
  •  Pathogen agnostic whole genome sequencing or pathogen specific testing such as antibody or antigen. 
  • RT-PCR Multilocus sequence typing (MLST); or whole genome sequencing for diagnosis and treatment decision-making in support of the Whole-of-government USG National Biodefense Strategy Diagnostics Joint Capabilities Plan. 
  • CDC Laboratory Response Network (LRN); and VA Public Health preparedness and response requirements (including laboratory surveillance lookback and outbreak investigations and VA response to high consequence infections such as Ebola mpox or H5N1 avian influenza). These complex laboratory tests are not available in VHA clinical laboratories.  
  • Perform laboratory information management (LIM) services that connects all VA medical center laboratories with PHRL given PHRL supports all 150 VA medical centers (VAMC) to provide these services. 
• Evaluate the suitability of the specimen for analysis requesting new specimen if determined to be unusable. 
• Prepare specimens for analysis ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained. 
• Select perform evaluate and monitor the performance of test procedures using manual and instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. 
• Recognize and react to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections.  
• Conduct quality control procedures on equipment reagents and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports.  
• Calibrate standardize adjust and maintain instruments on which trained. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.  
• Evaluate the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlate quantitative data with patient data (i.e. history medications) to verify results.  
• Perform additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly.  
• Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system and for the editing and verification of the results recorded into the computer system.  
• Responsible for LIM services to build or maintain connectivity between PHRL and all VAMC clinical laboratories. 
• Serve as an expert to perform and provide authoritative advice to staff and troubleshooting ability for more difficult or unique molecular assays; and provide information guidance or test results regarding complex molecular laboratory testing to VHA clinical laboratory personnel; county state and CDC public health officials; and other VA or USG stakeholders.  
• Perform validations of new methods to determine accuracy precision sensitivity specificity normal ranges and interfering substances. This includes experience with vendor supplied reagents and testing platforms approved by US FDA or PHRL laboratory developed tests (LDT) that must undergo the same rigorous evaluation prior to performing clinical testing.  
• Conduct evaluations and analyses and recommend changes to correct deficiencies that improves laboratory test addition must be able to troubleshoot complex laboratory test platform malfunctions including mechanical or software issues and if required work with vendor technical personnel to resolve problems.  
• Design workflows for laboratory testing that incorporates considerations for laboratory space personnel protective equipment and proper containment if required; appropriate test methodology testing equipment platform reagents and consumables; test result structure for electronic reporting; and proficiency testing.  
• Advise supervisor and clinical providers on aspects of the requested testing including the appropriateness of specific tests. Advise on alternate laboratory testing to overcome ambiguities in clinical diagnoses. This requires a higher level of knowledge and understanding of infectious disease pathogenesis natural history and temporality for when certain tests should be used.  
• Identify training needs for the laboratory services provided which include but are not limited to vendor-associated in-service or hands on training for laboratory platforms; all required VA training; The Joint Commission laboratory criteria; continuing education requirements to maintain Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) certification.  
• Identify define and resolve issues with complex data or unique or controversial aspects of the testing where no direct precedent exists. For example use of unique bioanalytic electronic pipelines for analysis of pathogen nucleotide sequences for pathogen species identification or detection of antimicrobial drug resistance where conventional analysis tools do not exist.  
• Possess familiarity and experience with clinical laboratory accreditation inspection policies and procedures and laboratory result reporting requirements including but not limited to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA); CDC Laboratory Response Network (LRN); College of American Pathologists (CAP); The Joint Commission (TJC); VA National Enforcement Office (NEO); and state and federal regulations requirements and policies for reporting communicable diseases to public health entities.  
• Have experience in handling and testing clinical or environmental samples and pathogen isolates that result from high consequence infections or are defined as category A biological agents (i.e. Ebola virus anthrax smallpox etc.) which require handling in a high containment laboratory (biosafety level BSL 3).  
• Have experience in VA Laboratory Information Management (LIM) systems in particular VistA/CPRS laboratory module in order to troubleshoot and build and maintain new laboratory test orders result reporting and transmission capabilities via the Laboratory Electronic Data Interchange (LEDI); and similar connectivity with VAMCs that have the Oracle-Cerner electronic health record. 
• Completes required organizational compliance education including assigned requirements that are client-specified for Joint Commission Healthcare Staffing Services certification or other regulatory bodies. 

This list is non-exhaustive and the role holder may be required to undertake additional duties that are not specifically listed above. 

Qualifications :

Basic Requirements/Certifications:  

• Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) given by the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP-BOR). 
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. 
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and ability to maintain troubleshoot and repair instrumentation.  
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and interpret laboratory results.  
• Ability to interpret and apply complex written instructions.  
• Ability to communicate consult and interact with Laboratory Director Laboratory Supervisor and other members of the healthcare team.  
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory operations and their relationship to the organization enough to solve testing quality or customer service problems.  

Education Required: 

• B.S. degree in a Biological Sciences-related field and 2-5 years of laboratory experience (especially molecular assays).   

Physical Requirements: 

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. 
• Work involves sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time. 
• May require bending stooping and lifting up to 15 lbs. 

Other Special Qualifications: 

• Must be able to read write and speak English to effectively communicate. 
• US Citizen or Permanent Resident Card is required. 
• Pass/possess VA Public Trust Clearance. 

The following documents are required for submission: 

• Resume 
• Letter of Commitment 

Additional Information :

Pay range is based on several factors and may vary in addition to a full range of medical financial and/or other benefits. Final salary and offer will be determined by the applicants background experience skills internal equity and alignment with geographical market data. 

Benefits Full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical dental vision and basic life insurance. Additional benefits include a 401k plan paid time off and an annual bonus. International SOS Government Medical Services Inc. complies with all federal state and local minimum wage laws. 

International SOS Government Medical Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability genetic information marital status amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with the applicable federal state and local laws. 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time