Foreign Service Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist (RMLS)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The Department has conducted extensive job analysis research to determine Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and other attributes conducive to successful performance as an RMLS. An applicant’s education level, work experience, and other qualifications will be considered as part of the hiring decision-making process based on these KSA criteria.

• Applicant must have demonstrated skill in performing tests with detail and accuracy and providing information to appropriate individuals, as necessary. The work involves exercising a high degree of laboratory management and technical expertise.
• Applicant must have knowledge of the following: Medical Laboratory Science, General Anatomy, Medical Terminology, Quality Control procedures, Quality Assurance plans, laboratory equipment used in performing a variety of laboratory tests, skill in performing preventive maintenance and troubleshooting on laboratory equipment, ability to train other medical professionals in laboratory techniques is required.
• Applicant must be a skilled and experienced Medical Laboratory Scientist capable of working independently. Experience in performing laboratory techniques to diagnose infectious and tropical diseases is preferred.
• Applicant must have the ability to develop, coordinate, and administer food and safety programs and procedures, including teaching laboratory and safety topics to both small and large groups.
• Applicants must be able to organize and supervise a diverse group of health care staff with varying degrees of expertise, education, and command of English. Applicants must understand the unique cultural differences related to laboratory methods and health care delivery in varied countries and address these differences in a positive manner.
• Applicant must have the capacity to gain the cooperation and confidence of patients, co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates. Individuals must have experience in working in a multidisciplinary setting as well as experience in team building, leadership, and management. Effective written and oral communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to present laboratory findings in a clear and concise manner to medical and non-medical personnel. Demonstrated ability to teach or lecture to groups on laboratory issues is preferred.
• General computer and Microsoft Office skills are required.

Applicants must demonstrate a high degree of technical expertise with management experience. 

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to manage the administrative aspects of a health unit laboratory, as well as the ability to cope with extraordinary issues, which may occur in remote and isolated settings. Previous experience working as a supervisor or section chief, or in an overseas setting, is advantageous.

The applicant must be a skilled and experienced medial laboratory scientist with excellent interpersonal skills. The applicant must be able to function well within a complex organization and have experience working in a high stress environment and recognize and understand the problems of delivering laboratory services to U.S. citizens posted in locations where local laboratory resources are limited or non-existent. The ability to objectively evaluate the quality of laboratory services based on observations and open-ended questions, and the ability to provide long distance assessment of issues via electronic communications such as telephone, radio, and email.

Specific medical knowledge areas required by the job include:  medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory standards, medical laboratory equipment, specimen collection, computer medical records and programs, international air transport association (IATA) regulations, and water testing methods and standards.

Specific medical skills required by the job include:  performing laboratory tests, collecting specimens, analyzing, observing, interviewing, and controlling laboratory documents.

Management skills required by the job include:  supervising, overseeing, managing laboratories, training, organizing, multitasking, working with others of diverse backgrounds, managing resources, budgeting, contracting, and using computers.

Personal skills required by the job include:  reading comprehension, active listening, active learning, oral and written communication, public speaking, complex problem identification, critical thinking, social perceptiveness, interpersonal skills, persuasion, service orientation, monitoring, coordination, process operation and control, and equipment selection and installation.

Other attributes required by the job include:  compassionate, self-sufficient, independent but integrated with the department, interest in continuous learning and change, attention to detail, dependable, tolerance of travel, worldwide available, tolerance of living away from family, and tolerance of working and living in difficult and/or isolated or high-threat locations.

Superior oral and written communication skills: Foreign Service Specialists must consistently meet a high standard for English, both written (overall structure as well as grammar, spelling and punctuation) and spoken (overall structure as well as delivery, clarity and succinctness). Applicants must demonstrate a strong command of the English language to include grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 

Essential Physical Requirements

The most important physical requirements of the job are:  vision, speaking, mobility, dexterity, physical endurance, mental endurance, and hearing.

RMLSs may need to perform essential functions effectively with or without reasonable accommodation, in environments that pose physical or other occupational challenges. These duties may include:

• Provision of direct patient care that may require heavy lifting, pulling, stooping, bending, and twisting in tight and limited spaces
• Travelling independently to regional posts using commercial air carriers, military aircraft, or other transportation modalities that may not offer special access accommodations
• Provision of emergency care in any location following an accident, natural disaster, or attack and emergency care in potentially hostile or physically challenging environments, such as in buildings without elevators or in areas with irregular spaces that require kneeling, bending, stooping, lifting, walking, and running on uneven terrain
• Transportation of self or patients via small aircraft, helicopters, ambulances, or other non-standard modes of transportation with small entrances and high floors, such as high-axle armored vehicles