Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Malmstrom AFB, MT

Malmstrom Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Cascade County, Montana, United States, adjacent to the city of Great Falls, MT.  Great Falls is home to the C.M. Russell Museum, devoted to the artist known for images of the American West. The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art shows contemporary work in a landmark Romanesque Revival building. On the Missouri River, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center has exhibits on the explorers’ route through the adjacent Giant Springs State Park. 

Great Falls is often referred to as Montana’s basecamp as a city of just over 60,000 people is centrally located and home to an international airport. Nestled in between 4 mountain ranges, 3 rivers, 2 wilderness areas and 1 wildlife refuge, adventure is easily accessible in every direction. Great Falls is about halfway between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park? Great Falls makes the perfect stopover. Stretch your legs on the picturesque 53 miles of trail that runs along the famed Missouri River that goes right through town. Add to that the 11 museums and over 25 wall murals that make our downtown Montana’s biggest art gallery. Take a look and you’ll understand why we are known for our art scene. Oh, it may also have a little something to do with famed Western artist Charles M. Russell who called Great Falls home—you can see his studio, home, and many of his works of art.

Great Falls has all 4 seasons here (some are just shorter than others). Spring is a secret, but worth the wait! Summer is phenomenal and has most everyone enjoying the epic rivers, lakes, and streams that dot our landscape. Fall? We’re never sure when it will arrive or how long it will stick around, but you’ll enjoy the great outdoors whether you’re hiking, fishing, biking or hunting. Snow dreams are realized come winter in Central Montana! But don’t let the cold weather deter you—you'll have some of the best landscapes to enjoy the winter months.

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. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

Duties

• 1. Serves as Clinical Laboratory Scientist working in the Core Laboratory. Provides essential clinical laboratory support in the full range of laboratory testing procedures in the areas of the hematology, clinical chemistry, serology, urinalysis, and microbiology. Clinical Laboratory Scientist performing the most difficult, nontraditional and specialized tests and examinations to include complex studies that require advanced theoretical knowledge and scientific competence. Performs non-standardized examinations that require professional skill and judgment in developing, modifying and adapting procedures and determining very fine distinctions, complex alternative courses of action, and critical interpretations of variations and results.

  2. Implements, documents, and interprets quality control procedures to insure correct instrument meidCore laboratory. Investigates equipment malfunctions. Advises lower grade personnel in courses of action. Performs higher-level troubleshooting or repairs if necessary. Performs calibration and linearity studies. Performs daily administrative functions to include pending list review, quality control is completed, reviewed with appropriate actions and associated documentation, and communication for the next shift is relayed. Provides technical direction to technician assistant assigned to same shift. Distributes work and provides technical and administrative assistance as needed.

  3. Evaluates laboratory procedures for suitability and examines specimens for proper collection, adequate quantity, and correct patient identification. Requests additional specimens if initial sample is inadequate. Required on occasion to obtain blood specimens by phlebotomy, and instructs patients in steps required to obtain clean-catch urine and sputum samples. Prepares reagents, stains, solutions, and primary quality control material as necessary. Selects, performs, evaluates, and monitors the performance of routine and non-routine test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections. Obtains analytical data (e.g., color end points, digital read outs, tracings, patterns) converts to prescribed units for reporting; and correlates data to verify results. Reports results to requesting physician, emergency room staff, or ward personnel.

  4. Conducts testing required by external proficiency testing programs. Prepares reports and responds to requests for quality control and clinical laboratory information from hospital staff and regulatory agencies. Conducts the evaluation of new tests and equipment. Provides supervisor with statistical findings and recommendations. When adopted, writes protocols for these procedures and trains personnel to perform those tests. Reviews, evaluates and recommends for new equipment purchases, new or revised testing procedures and methodologies and other activities associated with efficient and economical use of resources. Assists in modifying or adopting existing procedures to improve efficiency and reliability of test results. Attends various workshops/meetings and searches through journals of laboratory and clinical medicine and other pertinent literature to keep abreast of new discoveries in the field of laboratory medicine and new diagnostic procedures. Consults with physicians on such matters as nature and clinical interference of test results, alternate or additional tests, and test methodologies to assist the provider(s).

  5. Assists in the development of training programs for student Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) and technologists or other institutions. Prepares training outlines, plans on-the-job training, and evaluates students. Participates in instruction of students and staff and others as assigned to the laboratory by preparing and delivering in-service education lectures/workshops pertaining to the clinical laboratory. (10%)

  6. Develops, maintains, and/or improves various computer application in the laboratory. Maintains liaison with Information Management personnel and the laboratory's System Manager for the Laboratory Information System to resolve MHS GENESIS issues for the laboratory.

  7. Maintains logs on all patient test/results, statistical data for workload reporting, and UCA reports as required. Maintains instrument status logbooks, quality control worksheets, and other appropriate documentation.

Performs other duties as assigned.