Laboratory Scientist - Valencia County Hospital, (1730)

Schedule

• Wednesday – Saturday, 0600–1630
• Weekends, holidays, on‑call, and other shifts as needed

Job Summary

Under general supervision, performs waived, moderate, or high complexity laboratory tests for diagnosis and treatment of disease. Performs maintenance, basic troubleshooting, and repairs of laboratory equipment. Runs and evaluates quality control testing to ensure equipment is functional prior to patient testing. May assist with the implementation and oversight of waived point‑of‑care testing. Meets qualifications for “Testing Personnel” for moderate and high complexity testing under CLIA regulations.

Essential Functions

• Performs, results, and documents clinical laboratory testing exercising independent judgment and responsibility.
• Notes abnormal patient results and informs supervisor, pathologist, or principal investigator as appropriate.
• Operates laboratory equipment, interfaces, and instruments; performs and documents basic maintenance procedures.
• Performs routine logging for QC/QA purposes; collects and compiles QA data as directed.
• Monitors QC for trends and takes/documents corrective action as needed or directed.
• Performs troubleshooting procedures; identifies testing problems and recommends appropriate solutions using defined guidelines.
• Actively participates in regulatory inspections.
• Takes inventory as needed or appropriate; orders supplies for the Section/Department as directed.
• Assists with training of new staff and/or students.
• Serves as a liaison with internal and external customers/employees/clients.
• Depending on site or department, may participate in the POCT oversight program, including training lab and non‑lab personnel in waived testing; troubleshooting waived testing performance (including IT connectivity); reviewing quality performance of waived testing; and participating in implementation/validation of waived testing.
• Depending on site or department, may collect specimens such as blood, urine, sputum, and other body fluids and prepare for analysis.

Minimum Qualifications – Placement Levels

Laboratory Scientist I – Must meet one of the following per CLIA regulations:

• Bachelor’s degree in biological or chemical science from an accredited institution (bachelor’s in physical science acceptable if completed prior to December 31, 2024).
• Associate’s degree in laboratory science (biology or chemistry) or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution.
• Education and training equivalent to an associate degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution that includes at least 60 semester hours including either: 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses; or 24 semester hours of science courses that include 6 semester hours of chemistry, 6 semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination.
• Previously qualified or could have qualified as a technologist under CLIA regulations on or before February 28, 1992.
• No experience required.

Laboratory Scientist II – Must meet one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution (no experience required).
• Bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry science from an accredited institution AND two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience (bachelor’s in physical science acceptable if completed prior to December 31, 2024).
• Associate’s degree in laboratory science (biology or chemistry) or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution AND two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience.
• Two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience AND education/training equivalent to an associate degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology (as described above).
• Two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience AND previously qualified or could have qualified as a technologist under CLIA regulations on or before February 28, 1992.
• Successful completion of a U.S. military medical laboratory training course AND bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry AND one year of direct clinical laboratory testing experience.

Laboratory Scientist III – Must meet one of the following:

• Two years of Laboratory Scientist II at TriCore.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry science from an accredited institution AND four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience (bachelor’s in physical science acceptable if completed prior to December 31, 2024).
• Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution AND two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience.
• Successful completion of a U.S. military medical laboratory training course AND bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry AND three years of direct clinical laboratory testing experience.
• Associate’s degree in laboratory science (biology or chemistry) or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution AND four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience.
• Four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience AND education/training equivalent to an associate degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology (as described above).
• Four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience AND previously qualified or could have qualified as a technologist under CLIA regulations on or before February 28, 1992.

Laboratory Scientist IV – Must meet one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution AND four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry science from an accredited institution AND four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience.

Certification Preferences

• ASCP or AMT certification as BB, C, CG, H, M, MB, MLT, MLS, SBB, SC, SCYM, SH, SM, or SMB.
• ADLM Certification in POCT.
• ACHI certification as CHA, CHT, or CHS.
• NRCC Certification as a Toxicological Chemist or Toxicological Technologist.
• Certification is required for LS IV placement.

Immunization Requirements

• Prove immunity to Hepatitis B or be immunized or sign a waiver refusing hepatitis immunization.
• Provide documentation of a tuberculosis (TB) test conducted not more than 90 days prior to hire or have a TB test conducted.
• In departments/locations with direct patient contact: prove immunity or be eligible to receive rubella, rubeola, and varicella immunization.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurances
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Opportunities for continuous learning and education assistance
• Wellness programs
• Career advancement opportunities