Senior Medical Lab Technologist

at  Akahi Associates LLC

Overview:
Schedule: Schedule will consist of, but not be limited to a 9 hour shift with a 60 minute non-billable lunch break between the hours of 0600 and 1700, Monday through Friday. The HCW will not exceed 40 hours per week unless approved overtime is directed to meet the demands of the mission.
Location: Keesler Air Force Base, MS
Pay: $32/hr + Health & Wellness $4.93/hr worked (in lieu of benefits)
Schedule: Monday - Friday from 8am to 4:30pm
Benefits: Vest vacation, sick leave, holiday leave, Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Short Term Disability
Optional Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(K) matching with employee participation in 401(K) plan

Responsibilities:

• Perform clinical laboratory testing for nucleic acid-based diseases for Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries and on survey samples submitted to the laboratory for quality assurance and proficiency testing.
• Routinely performs testing on blood, cells, cell cultures, and various tissue samples from patients, deceased individuals, and fetuses (prenatal testing).
• Maintain sample tracking and integrity meticulously to prevent cross- contamination of samples. Nucleic acid testing is subject to a multitude of constantly changing variables, which can affect the results.
• Demonstrate high-level laboratory problem solving skills and analytical abilities to successfully perform assigned laboratory testing.
• Receive packages containing samples, and verify the presence of the correct contents and paperwork, the adequacy of the sample, and the documentation.
• Create labels and folders for the test to be performed. Record the samples on the correct worksheets in the laboratory, in computer information management systems, and on Excel spreadsheets.Extract nucleic acid from samples utilizing multiple established protocols. Assess the adequacy of the nucleic acid obtained, quantifies final nucleic acid samples, and documents results of nucleic acid extraction processes. Perform calculations to determine appropriate dilutions of nucleic acid and/or quantities to be used for various testing procedures.
• Perform a variety of nucleic acid-based analytical procedures including (but not limited to) polymerase chain reactions (PCR), Southern analysis, allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization, short-tandem repeat length analysis, DNA or RNA sequencing, restriction enzyme digestion, capillary or gel-based electrophoresis, microarrays, and allele-specific PCR. Utilize computerizedrobotics, column and array-based sequencers, various electrophoresis and hybridization equipment, and photographic and digital imaging equipment to perform and document testing. Analyze and interpret the results obtained.
• Perform PCR to amplify regions of nucleic acid of interest using protocols established in the laboratory. Pour and run (via electrophoresis) agarose gels to assess the adequacy of the PCR products obtained. Document the results utilizing digital and/or photographic imaging systems.
• If PCR reactions are not successful, performs problem-solving steps to determine the cause of the failure and corrects the problem. Must repeat PCR reactions on individual samples as required to obtain adequate results.
• PCR must be performed without contamination. Perform all PCR reactions with contamination free controls.
• Correctly track nucleic acid/PCR samples to maintain chain of identity and prevent sample mix-up.
• Achieve the laboratory standards for turn-around time.
• Document the results of testing in patient folders and laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Present testing results to the laboratory director for verification and final reporting. Type draft versions of laboratory reports. Verify and certify results in LIMS using established protocols.
• Maintain data on testing and PCR failure rates, problems encountered, and solutions to those problems. Tabulate data and perform statistical evaluation of data for Quality Assurance monitoring.
• Participate in the development and evaluation of new testing equipment and/or techniques.
• Collate data and documents validation studies on new testing procedures developed in the lab, as assigned by the laboratory director.
• Generate operating instructions (OIs) in accordance with established guidelines and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for new procedures, as assigned by the laboratory director or designee.
• Maintain assigned equipment by performing and documenting required daily checks, scheduling and/or performing preventive maintenance, and coordinating with appropriate personnel for repairs as required. Make assigned solutions for general lab use according to established laboratory procedures. Monitor levels of assigned supply items and coordinate orders for additional supplies as necessary to maintain adequate stock on hand in the laboratory.
• Answer laboratory telephone calls, which may include calls from other laboratories or providers seeking information. Correctly provide information about test availability, sample and consent requirements, availability of forms, and other general lab information to callers. Correctly refer callers to the genetic counselor, a supervisor, and/or lab director as indicated.
• Actively participate in preparations for CAP, Joint Commission and other inspections.
• Adhere to infection control procedures including use of personal protective equipment and proper disposal of bio-hazardous waste.
• Participate in required lab training, in-services and continuing medical education programs and activities. Participate in required hospital training.
• Assist in ensuring a safe work environment and employee safe work habits
• Provides additional technical/subject matter expertise for the lab in support of the director and director designees as a senior technologist:
• Assist with developing protocols for new assays or to improve current assays in the laboratory. Research published protocols, reagents, and equipment, and adapts for use in the laboratory. Perform validation studies on new protocols. Write or edit operating instructions for new or updated protocols. Instruct other technologists in the performance of new or updated protocols.
• Assist other technologists in problem-solving when assays fail, equipment malfunctions, or contamination occurs. Teach problem- solving steps to other technologists in the laboratory.
• Review data produced by technologists in the laboratory for quality and accuracy. Provide feedback to the technologist who produced the data. Review and approve data for submission to laboratory director prior to patient reporting.
• Assist with documenting competency assessments of personnel performing high complexity testing when delegated by the laboratory director.

Qualifications:

• Degree/Education (5.2.4): Bachelor’s Degree
• Certifications in addition to Basic Life Support (5.2.3): None
• Experience: Must possess at least 12 months experience working in a molecular laboratory within the past 36 months. Experience in a clinical lab with management that includes molecular oversight.
• Board Certification (5.2.6.4.4): Current in one of the following: Medical Technologist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Molecular Biology Technologist (MB), or Cytogenetic Technologist (CG) as defined by ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology), American Medical Technologists (AMT), or other organization deemed comparable by OASD (HA) or their designee (CCLM).

• Perform clinical laboratory testing for nucleic acid-based diseases for Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries and on survey samples submitted to the laboratory for quality assurance and proficiency testing.
• Routinely performs testing on blood, cells, cell cultures, and various tissue samples from patients, deceased individuals, and fetuses (prenatal testing).
• Maintain sample tracking and integrity meticulously to prevent cross- contamination of samples. Nucleic acid testing is subject to a multitude of constantly changing variables, which can affect the results.
• Demonstrate high-level laboratory problem solving skills and analytical abilities to successfully perform assigned laboratory testing.
• Receive packages containing samples, and verify the presence of the correct contents and paperwork, the adequacy of the sample, and the documentation.
• Create labels and folders for the test to be performed. Record the samples on the correct worksheets in the laboratory, in computer information management systems, and on Excel spreadsheets.Extract nucleic acid from samples utilizing multiple established protocols. Assess the adequacy of the nucleic acid obtained, quantifies final nucleic acid samples, and documents results of nucleic acid extraction processes. Perform calculations to determine appropriate dilutions of nucleic acid and/or quantities to be used for various testing procedures.
• Perform a variety of nucleic acid-based analytical procedures including (but not limited to) polymerase chain reactions (PCR), Southern analysis, allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization, short-tandem repeat length analysis, DNA or RNA sequencing, restriction enzyme digestion, capillary or gel-based electrophoresis, microarrays, and allele-specific PCR. Utilize computerizedrobotics, column and array-based sequencers, various electrophoresis and hybridization equipment, and photographic and digital imaging equipment to perform and document testing. Analyze and interpret the results obtained.
• Perform PCR to amplify regions of nucleic acid of interest using protocols established in the laboratory. Pour and run (via electrophoresis) agarose gels to assess the adequacy of the PCR products obtained. Document the results utilizing digital and/or photographic imaging systems.
• If PCR reactions are not successful, performs problem-solving steps to determine the cause of the failure and corrects the problem. Must repeat PCR reactions on individual samples as required to obtain adequate results.
• PCR must be performed without contamination. Perform all PCR reactions with contamination free controls.
• Correctly track nucleic acid/PCR samples to maintain chain of identity and prevent sample mix-up.
• Achieve the laboratory standards for turn-around time.
• Document the results of testing in patient folders and laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Present testing results to the laboratory director for verification and final reporting. Type draft versions of laboratory reports. Verify and certify results in LIMS using established protocols.
• Maintain data on testing and PCR failure rates, problems encountered, and solutions to those problems. Tabulate data and perform statistical evaluation of data for Quality Assurance monitoring.
• Participate in the development and evaluation of new testing equipment and/or techniques.
• Collate data and documents validation studies on new testing procedures developed in the lab, as assigned by the laboratory director.
• Generate operating instructions (OIs) in accordance with established guidelines and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for new procedures, as assigned by the laboratory director or designee.
• Maintain assigned equipment by performing and documenting required daily checks, scheduling and/or performing preventive maintenance, and coordinating with appropriate personnel for repairs as required. Make assigned solutions for general lab use according to established laboratory procedures. Monitor levels of assigned supply items and coordinate orders for additional supplies as necessary to maintain adequate stock on hand in the laboratory.
• Answer laboratory telephone calls, which may include calls from other laboratories or providers seeking information. Correctly provide information about test availability, sample and consent requirements, availability of forms, and other general lab information to callers. Correctly refer callers to the genetic counselor, a supervisor, and/or lab director as indicated.
• Actively participate in preparations for CAP, Joint Commission and other inspections.
• Adhere to infection control procedures including use of personal protective equipment and proper disposal of bio-hazardous waste.
• Participate in required lab training, in-services and continuing medical education programs and activities. Participate in required hospital training.
• Assist in ensuring a safe work environment and employee safe work habits
• Provides additional technical/subject matter expertise for the lab in support of the director and director designees as a senior technologist:
• Assist with developing protocols for new assays or to improve current assays in the laboratory. Research published protocols, reagents, and equipment, and adapts for use in the laboratory. Perform validation studies on new protocols. Write or edit operating instructions for new or updated protocols. Instruct other technologists in the performance of new or updated protocols.
• Assist other technologists in problem-solving when assays fail, equipment malfunctions, or contamination occurs. Teach problem- solving steps to other technologists in the laboratory.
• Review data produced by technologists in the laboratory for quality and accuracy. Provide feedback to the technologist who produced the data. Review and approve data for submission to laboratory director prior to patient reporting.
• Assist with documenting competency assessments of personnel performing high complexity testing when delegated by the laboratory director