Lead Medical Technologist

About the role

The Medical Technologist Lead coordinates, oversees, and ensures quality laboratory operations within an assigned section. This role is responsible for testing accuracy, quality control, regulatory compliance, equipment maintenance, training, and staff competency assessments. The Lead serves as a technical resource, ensuring compliance with hospital policies, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements while performing laboratory testing as needed.

Responsibilities

• Performs, verifies, and reports moderate and high-complexity laboratory tests, ensuring timely, accurate, and reliable results in compliance with CLIA, CAP, and other regulatory standards.
• Oversees daily laboratory operations, including workflow management, supply inventory, and staffing coordination, to ensure efficient and uninterrupted service.
• Monitors quality control (QC) measures, troubleshoots discrepancies, and ensures all proficiency testing is performed and reported within required timeframes.
• Conducts competency assessments for laboratory staff, providing ongoing training, mentorship, and performance evaluations in alignment with laboratory and hospital policies.
• Ensures all laboratory equipment is properly maintained, following manufacturer guidelines, troubleshooting malfunctions, and escalating issues to the Administrative Lab Director as necessary.
• Oversees compliance with safety regulations, ensuring proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), adherence to infection control protocols, and compliance with the laboratory safety plan.
• Acts as a liaison between laboratory administration, supervisors, and staff, effectively communicating instrument malfunctions, QC issues, unusual patient results, and regulatory updates.
• Supports accreditation readiness efforts, assisting with data collection, audits, and documentation for regulatory inspections, including CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission, and OSHA.
• Maintains and updates the Laboratory Information System (LIS), ensuring proper test entry, results reporting, and compliance with hospital and laboratory informatics policies.
• Assists with phlebotomy and specimen collection as needed, ensuring proper patient identification, sample integrity, and compliance with collection protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Medical Technology or Chemical, Physical, Biological, or Clinical Laboratory Science required.
• 2-4 years of experience as a Medical Technologist in a clinical laboratory setting required.
• 0-2 years of previous experience in leadership, training, or quality management within a laboratory environment preferred.

Skills

• Proficiency in laboratory methodologies, instrument troubleshooting, and workflow optimization.
• Strong understanding of quality control, proficiency testing, and regulatory compliance requirements (CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission).
• Ability to train and mentor staff, conducting competency evaluations and ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills to identify and resolve laboratory issues promptly.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, ensuring clear and accurate reporting of laboratory data.
• Knowledge of laboratory information systems (LIS) and electronic medical record (EMR) software.

Qualifications

• MLS - Medical Lab Scientist (formerly MT Certification) through ASCP, AAB, AMT, or equivalent certification agency required.
• State license where applicable required.
• Additional certification in specialized laboratory areas (e.g., microbiology, hematology, blood bank) preferred.