Medical Technologist I

Job description

Agency

Department

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who we are

The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) includes the Small Animal Hospital and the Large Animal Hospital, both of which are dedicated to the total well-being and care of a pet throughout its lifetime. We work with great people, great clinicians, and great educators with a passion for animals and educating others that allows us to provide total care for animal patients while helping to train the next generation of veterinarians.

What we want

The Medical Technologist I, under direction, performs moderate and high complexity testing in chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology and urinalysis. Analyzes, reviews and reports test results and quality control results. Takes remedial action when indicated. Ensures specimen integrity. Adheres to laboratory and departmental policies and procedures.

What you need to know

• Salary: Commensurate based on education and experience
• Schedule/Location: Part-time | Thurs - Fri (Flexible) | 8am-5pm | College station, TX
• Cover Letter/Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended and will help in our review. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section.

Please note: Persons in this position are considered essential when the University declares an emergency, campus closure, class cancellations, etc., and are therefore required to report to work and remain on duty unless/until relieved by the direct supervisor.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist certification, or AMT Medical Technologist certification; no experience required.
• Associate’s degree and ASCP or AMT Medical Laboratory Technician certification plus 2 year of experience related work experience.

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Medical Technologist (ASCP or AMT) certification, Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP), or Medical Laboratory Technician (ASCP or AMT) certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Veterinary diagnostic laboratory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of typical laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of statistical methods.
• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. Oral and written communication skills.
• Animal hematology, chemistry, urinalysis, coagulation, and blood bank.

Responsibilities

Instrumentation

• Operates general laboratory equipment including but not limited to: General office equipment, automated analyzers, centrifuges, microscopes, pipettes.

Quality Assurance

• Performs laboratory quality assurance testing.
• Receives the appropriate training for the type and complexity of the services offered prior to testing patient specimens.
• Performs practical test in hematology on unknown slides from varying species.
• (Note: The Medical Technologist must demonstrate that they can perform all testing reliably to provide and report accurate results).
• Participates in the Veterinary Association Quality Assurance Program.
• (Note: All proficiency-testing reports received are reviewed to evaluate the laboratories performance and to identify any problems that require corrective actions. An approved corrective action plan is followed when any proficiency testing results are found to be unacceptable or unsatisfactory).

Testing

• Performs moderate to high complexity testing and reports results.
• Regarding hematology, prepares and reviews differential slides for wellness and/or disease state, including interpreting data from the Advia 120 analyzer.
• Performs manual reticulocyte counts when appropriate.
• Regarding cytology, performs plasma protein, fibrinogen, mucin clot, cell counts manually or by instrumentation, and prep slides for pathologist review.
• Regarding chemistry, performs pretreated tests such as: urine calcium, urine magnesium, and urine phosphorus.
• All tests ran on the Vitros-4600 require determination of values outside reference intervals.
• The medical technologist must know when repeats and/or sample dilutions are required.
• Regarding urinalysis, performs dipstick and any confirmatory tests to affirm positive results. Interprets microscopic examination of urine sediment and when required, by stained slide.
• Regarding the blood bank, performs blood typing and cross matching on donor units.
• Performs saline agglutination tests to differentiate rouleaux from true agglutination.
• Runs and interprets coagulation data from the ACL top 300 instrument.
• Regarding Point of Care, performs blood gas, ICA incidental hematology, and chemistry tests on NOVA.

Troubleshooting/Maintenance

• Troubleshoots test system and takes appropriate action.
• May request assistance from the instrument technical support group.
• Performs daily, weekly and monthly maintenance of all instruments.
• Obtains knowledge of whom, when, and where to call for field services on instruments that are out of operation.
• Performs calibrations on each instrument per laboratory and manufacture specifications.

Quality Control

• Performs daily quality control on all instruments to assure the quality of laboratory services provided and to identify failures in quality as they occur.
• Ensures the acceptable levels of analytical performance for each test system.
• Assesses and verifies the validity of patient test results through the evaluation of quality control sample values prior to reporting patient test results.
• Performs and documents all necessary remedial actions whenever significant deviations from the laboratories established performance specifications are identified, and that patient test results are reported only when the system is functioning properly.

Generalist, Occupational and safety

• Cooperates, works and communicates with clinicians, vet-techs and students.
• Completes assigned tasks and any follow ups on work required.
• Shows initiative by being a self-starter and being motivated.
• Performs as a team by being willing to contribute, and work with others.
• Attends scheduled seminars and/or meetings for CEU.
• Participates in on-line VMIS system documentation users guide.
• Ensures knowledge of MSDS sheets and their interpretation in the event of an accident, correct response to fire alarms.
• Ensures proper handling of patient samples.

Additional Information

Machines or equipment used in the performance of essential duties

Vitros 4600, Advia 120, Nova, ACL TOP 300, Clinitek Status+, Computers, Centrifuges.

Physical Requirements

• Requires lifting or moving of lightweight objects.

Other Requirements and Factors

• Persons in this position are considered essential when the University declares an emergency, campus closure, class cancellations, etc., and are therefore required to report to work and remain on duty unless/until relieved by the direct supervisor. May be required to work with time constraints and crises situations.
• This position is security sensitive.
• This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes and Texas A&M University System/TAMU policies, regulations, rules and procedures.
• All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely without injury to self or others in compliance with System and University safety requirements.
• This position will require export-control authorization prior to starting employment.

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time
• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered, or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.