Clinical Laboratory Scientist Joint Base San Antonio

Time to invest in some new footwear because if you’re San Antonio-bound, you’d better show up in boots! The Alamo City is one of the military’s most envied postings and is often referred to as “Military City USA”. Low cost of living, affordable homes, and the lack of state tax on retirement income are a few financial perks to living and retiring in this Texas city. A robust job market that seems partial to government and defense/security contracting ensures employment opportunities for spouses or transitioning service members. San Antonio is the country’s seventh fastest growing city yet has somehow managed to retain a “small town feel.” Quality schools and friendly locals (most with military ties) are additional  perks to living in San Antonio.

Some things you should know before you get here: trucks are the norm (the bigger, the better), love for The Spurs (NBA) runs deep, the H-E-B obsession is real (it’s a grocery store), rodeos are life, and don’t call it “San Antone”—that’s just wrong. The community boasts a vibrant Hispanic population, and enhances everything from the food, to the music, to community events. You don’t necessarily need to speak Spanish to get around, but you’d better know how to say barbacoa, tamales, and cascarones.

Name brand shopping (IKEA is the latest arrival of note), restaurants, and all variety of entertainment all add to San Antonio’s quality of life. SeaWorld, the San Antonio Zoo, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and downtown museums are all fun outings for kids and families. Tube or kayak down a river, play or fish in the lakes, or relax by San Antonio’s famous downtown River Walk. Museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks—remember The Alamo?—round out San Antonio’s cultural offerings. Tex-mex cuisine arguably originated here, and some up and coming culinary trendsetters are making a name for themselves in the Pearl District downtown, alongside several notable breweries.

San Antonio has over 300 days of sunshine with some hot summers, mild winters and pleasant spring and fall seasons. San Antonio is in Bexar County (it’s pronounced “BEAR”) in south central Texas, and is just south of the gorgeous Hill Country. It’s only about two hours from Austin, the beach, or the desert.

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.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Serves as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in Core Laboratory Services with responsibility for performing a variety of procedures including complex analyses and low-frequency procedures; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; and setting up and monitoring quality controls.

Selects the procedures which are appropriate for the request for service and congruent with patient considerations. Processes specimens using equipment, instruments, or techniques that are necessary to prepare them for specific analysis; controls physical conditions; responds to time factors to insure that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained. Prepares reagents, assembles equipment, verifies correct instrument operation; standardizes, performs, and calculates results for a variety of tests. Identifies unusual results or discrepancies/conditions which cause erroneous results (instrument malfunctions, conditions of test performance, reaction systems, and/or test procedures used). Takes appropriate action to make corrections and solve problems. Conducts literature search if indicated. Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and assay procedures. Correlates quantitative, biochemical, physiologic, and morphologic data with other laboratory data and/or other patient data (history, physical findings, medications) to verify results. Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results and reports results. Reports findings, discussing results with supervisor(s) and physicians as appropriate. Performs routine and specialized procedures in special/reference chemistry, chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, electrophoresis and related sub-specialties utilizing appropriate testing platforms and methodologies. Records results through a variety of data entry modes into laboratory computer systems, and retrieves information from the computer upon physician requests. Provides ongoing monitoring of workflow and implements corrections where appropriate to ensure timely completion of tasks. Assists in updating procedure manuals, performs inventory, rotates stock, and maintains necessary records. Seeks and uses safety information and standard precautions necessary for proper handling of laboratory specimens and appropriate action to contain spills and perform decontamination procedures. 

Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains applicable instrumentation. Verifies correct instrument operation using established protocols and quality control procedures. Identifies cause of problems and makes simple repairs. Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents and products. Maintains proper records for quality control reports. 

Performs developmental work to include setting up new tests and/or adapting manual tests to automatic processing. Searches scientific literature or manufacturer's texts for a method that meets objectives established by the supervisor. Performs the analyses or test, evaluating the method and results to determine if objectives were met. Modifies the method, if necessary, to solve problems or make improvements. Establishes normal ranges for new tests and writes instructions for others to follow. 

Provides bench instructions for students, residents and other staff assigned for cross training. Insures pertinent techniques are demonstrated and observes work in progress for evaluation purposes. Draws blood on patients in the ward or in the laboratory and processes specimens on an as needed basis. 

Performs other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements:

US Citizenship required

Shift Work to include: weekends, days, evenings, nights, and holidays.

This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing. Applicants tentatively selected for appointment to this position will participate in drug urinalysis testing, unless currently occupying a TDP within the Department of Defense. Tentatively selected applicants will be required to sign DA Form 5019 (Condition of Employment for Certain Civilian Positions Identified as Critical Under the Department of the Army Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program) requiring participation in random drug testing as a condition of employment. A job offer to an applicant who is a not a current employee will be withdrawn if the applicant refuses to be tested. Applicants with verified positive test results shall be refused employment. Applications from such individuals shall not be considered for employment for a period of 6 months from the date of the test results.

Immunization screening is required.

Pre-employment physical is required.