Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist - Hematology - Days

About the role

Join the MD Anderson Cancer Center CORE Hematology Laboratory team and play a key leadership role in supporting one of the nation's leading cancer centers. Our laboratory professionals are committed to delivering high-quality diagnostic testing that directly impacts patient care and outcomes, while fostering a collaborative and team-oriented environment focused on excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Performs complex laboratory tests and analyzes results.
• Evaluates and solves problems; ensures laboratory personnel know how to evaluate and solve problems; performs retraining and reassessment as needed.
• Acts as a technical resource to staff and trains new employees.
• Remains knowledgeable and competent for all policies, procedures and protocols.
• Reviews monthly Quality Control Data; ensures any deviation/failure has a solution comment.
• Ensures initial Proficiency Testing documentation is completed and recorded in CAP according to schedule; follows up on investigating any Proficiency Testing failure and documents corrective/preventive actions.
• Ensures laboratory equipment is functional 24/7 by following up on troubleshooting and maintenance including PMs.
• Ensures all policies, procedures, checklists and protocols are written when validating and implementing new methodologies.
• Follows section's inventory control system to assure laboratory operations are not compromised due to absence of supplies and reagents.
• Ensures instruments' performance evaluation checks including but not limited to PM, Cal/Ver, correlations, QC, etc. are completed according to SOP and in a timely manner.
• Ensures instruments' performance evaluation reports are signed by Supervisor/Manager and Medical Director and filed in corresponding folders.
• Complies with safety guidelines and procedures and adheres to regulatory mandates; ensures laboratory is ready for CAP or CMS inspection at all times.
• Maintains laboratory equipment functionality at all times by ensuring proper troubleshooting is followed up when an instrument problem is identified.
• Organizes and plans validation and evaluation process of new methodologies and tests.
• Prepares validation plan for new methodologies/tests including but not limited to SOPs, cost analysis, CDM #, submits LIS request to build test, lab bulletin, formulary, training checklists.
• Ensures personnel 6-month/annual competencies and CAP PT rotation.
• Maintains proficiency in computer functions in the lab processes.
• Validates database for new software or new tests implemented in the laboratory; sets up connectivity with the help of technical support.
• Ensures records of departmental functions including but not limited to inventory, reagent validation, device validation, etc. are maintained in the corresponding electronic folders.
• Creates personnel productivity reports; submits Safety Intelligence reports.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the Laboratory and Hospital Informatics Systems to properly inquire specimen data, analyze and evaluate patient results, correct and credit results as needed.
• Enhances productivity and laboratory functions by demonstrating dependability; organizes work to achieve maximum productivity to meet the workload demands of the section by preparing weekly/monthly work schedule and adjusting as needed according to priorities and personnel updates.
• Assists peers to ensure their designated tasks are thoroughly completed in a timely manner.
• Works independently, utilizes resources available to maximize efficiency and ensures all laboratory compliance documentation is in the corresponding files.
• Monitors LIS productivity records and communicates with Supervisor/Manager when deficiencies are noted.
• Maintains active communication with Supervisor; manages all customer service interactions with diplomacy, actively facilitating resolutions to problems and addressing the needs of clients both internal and external.
• Serves as the laboratory liaison between laboratory personnel (MLS and Senior) and supervisor/manager.
• Assists in the development of laboratory personnel and tests to enhance laboratory functions.
• Ensures established policies, procedures and protocols state all the laboratory processes in place and are the guidelines to be used in the development of laboratory personnel.
• Ensures productivity is checked on a regular basis and updates the manager with the results.
• Participates in process improvement projects including policies, procedures and protocols reviews and updates.
• Ensures new personnel complete instrument/testing initial training accurately including but not limited to understanding of QC, inventory, calling tech support, troubleshooting, etc.
• Assists supervisor in ensuring personnel 6-month/annual competency assessments are completed in a timely manner.
• Coaches and mentors students and employees in laboratory processes and service interactions.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree in Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technology OR Bachelor's Degree in a related science field or Molecular Genetic Technology OR Successful completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) accredited Clinical Laboratory Science/Molecular Genetic Technology accredited program.
• 10 years of clinical laboratory experience with an Associate's Degree in Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technology OR 9 years of clinical laboratory experience with a Bachelor's Degree in a related science field OR 8 years of clinical laboratory experience with the completion of a NAACLS accredited Clinical Laboratory Science/Molecular Genetic Technology accredited program OR 6 years of clinical laboratory experience with a Master's Degree OR 4 years of clinical laboratory experience with a Doctorate degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a related science field OR Doctorate in a related science field.
• ASCP - American Society of Clinical Pathologist Technologist/Scientist/Specialist certification OR CHS - Certified Histocompatibility Specialist, American College of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (ACHI) OR CHT - Certified Histocompatibility Technologist, American College of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (ACHI) OR MDT - Molecular Diagnostics Tech, American Medical Technologists (AMT) OR MT - Medical Technologist, American Medical Technologists (AMT).

Schedule

7:00 am – 3:30 pm, Days