Clinical Laboratory Scientist I/II

About the role

San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) is a public hospital and clinic system fully accredited by The Joint Commission. SMMC operates outpatient clinics throughout San Mateo County and an acute-care hospital in San Mateo, with a mission to "partner with patients to provide excellent care with compassion and respect." As part of an integrated San Mateo County Health, SMMC serves the healthcare needs of all residents of San Mateo County, with an emphasis on education and prevention.

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological examinations on a variety of specimens using morphological, cultural, biochemical, and serological identification of micro-organisms.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of blood and urine using standard procedures.
• Perform routine hematological examinations such as complete blood count, coagulation studies, sedimentation rate, etc.
• Perform blood banking procedures including typing, grouping, and cross matching of blood for transfusion.
• Perform serological examinations using a variety of techniques on various clinical specimens.
• Prepare culture media, stains, reagents and stock solutions.
• Operate and care for laboratory equipment and assumes responsibility for preventive maintenance.
• Perform all quality control tests required by procedures and prepare quality control reports.
• Maintain records of laboratory results, quality control data, and laboratory procedures.
• Assist in laboratory quality assurance procedures, data gathering and problem-solving.
• Compile and prepare periodic reports.
• Absorb and guide laboratory assistants and paraprofessional employees, as well as teach other technologists new procedures.
• If designated as the CLS-Blood Bank Specialist: Perform and document proficiency testing in the same manner as patient samples. Communicate, liaison, instruct, and dialog appropriately with health care providers, patients, and vendors on issues such as test interpretation, recommendations for alternate testing, instrumentation and problems with specimens/methodology. Identify all simple and some complex antibodies. Investigate and develop new/modified blood bank procedures and technical review and monitoring of existing procedures. Provide technical expertise in the Blood Bank to establish compliance with any of the regulatory/accreditation agencies' requirements related to testing, training and education, competency evaluation, proficiency testing, validation, standard operating procedures, and performance improvement. Manage Blood Bank inventory. Review Crossmatches and off shift Antibody IDs. Review Transfusion reactions with Lab Director.

Requirements

• Possession of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (MTA) license issued by the State of California.
• Minimum of two years of experience performing medical laboratory work as a licensed technologist, including at least one year of experience in immunohematology.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree (baccalaureate) in biology, clinical laboratory science, or equivalent major that includes 25 semester or equivalent quarter units of biology courses, which must include genetics and immunology.
• Experience: Minimum of two years of experience performing medical laboratory work as a licensed technologist, including at least one year of experience in immunohematology.

Skills

• Knowledge of: Current technology, principles and application of medical examinations such as those commonly used in biochemistry, microbiology, blood banking, hematology and or serology.
• Operation and care of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Ability to: Make independent judgments in evaluating the validity of completed laboratory tests.
• Ability to: Maintain and analyze quality control programs.
• Ability to: Follow written and oral directions, procedures or instructions.
• Ability to: Perform serological, parasitological, bacteriological, immunological, hematology, and biochemical tests.
• Ability to: If designated as Blood Bank Specialist: Perform biochemical tests and technical test interpretations.

Benefits

• The position offers a sign-on bonus of up to $30,000 for first-time external new hires or current staff promoted internally or from other County departments into a regular Clinical Laboratory Scientist I/II position in San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC).

Pay

• The hourly wage for Relief Clinical Laboratory Scientist classifications is currently 4% above the rate for Regular employees in the same classification.

Schedule

• Positions are available for Clinical Laboratory Scientists/Medical Technologists in various shifts, including night shift.