Medical Lab Scientist

About the Organization

Lexington Health is a comprehensive network of care that includes six community medical and urgent care centers, nearly 80 physician practices, and more than 9,000 health care professionals. It operates Lexington Medical Center, a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina, recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare and the first in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for nursing excellence. The system delivers over 4,000 babies annually, performs more than 34,000 surgeries, and is the region’s third-largest employer. Lexington Health also features an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence, the state’s first HeartCARE Center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, and an Alzheimer’s care center. Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine, transitional year residencies, and an informatics fellowship.

About the Role

The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) provides laboratory services for inpatients and outpatients, ensuring high-quality testing and accurate analysis to improve patient outcomes. The role involves performing routine and specialty testing to deliver fast, precise diagnostic information. Responsibilities align with the mission, vision, and strategic goals of Lexington Medical Center.

Responsibilities

• Perform manual and automated laboratory testing, including specimen collection via venipuncture and capillary punctures using developmentally appropriate techniques for patients of all ages.
• Conduct laboratory testing in compliance with accreditation requirements and established procedures/policies.
• Process specimens, select and perform test procedures, and monitor performance using manual and instrumental techniques.
• Calibrate instruments, verify data, perform quality control, preventive maintenance, and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions; document and communicate issues appropriately.
• Review patient and instrument data for accuracy, maintain records (e.g., quality control reports), and correlate abnormal results with other test data or diagnoses.
• Notify appropriate personnel of critical or "alert" test results and follow up as required.
• Maintain competency in waived, moderate, and high-complexity testing (checked semi-annually the first year and annually thereafter).
• Adhere to safety policies and provide patient care/support tailored to cognitive, physical, and emotional needs.
• Multi-task independently, promote teamwork, and perform additional assignments such as inventory management, procedure documentation, and quality control reviews.
• Train new employees and students on technical procedures and equipment.
• Collaborate with coworkers, nurses, physicians, and other healthcare workers in a team-based approach to achieve optimal goals.
• Communicate courteously and accurately while adhering to confidentiality policies.
• Facilitate learning for coworkers, students, and healthcare team members through formal and informal education.
• Maintain continuing education requirements for national certification and Lexington Medical Center standards.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and incorporate differences (e.g., cultural, spiritual, gender, race, age) into patient care.
• Engage in research utilization, experiential learning, and clinical reasoning to evaluate and improve testing methods.
• Manage hazardous waste and pharmaceuticals according to RCRA guidelines, including proper labeling, storage, and disposal; complete initial and annual RCRA training.
• Perform all other assigned duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from a nationally or internationally accredited educational institution.
• Active Medical Laboratory Scientist (MT/MLS) certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologist (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) or equivalent state/governmental certification (e.g., NCA, AMT, AAB).
• Categorical certification in a recognized discipline (e.g., chemistry, hematology, blood bank, microbiology) is acceptable but limits practice to the certified category.
• Registry-eligible candidates may be considered but must obtain certification within one year of hire; failure to certify within one year requires MT/MLS certification for reapplication.

Benefits

• Day-one medical, dental, and life insurance benefits.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
• 403(b) match plan with dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 6% (eligible from day one).
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to 1x salary; optional supplemental life insurance up to 3x salary at low cost.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Tuition reimbursement and student loan forgiveness programs.

Schedule

Full-time, PM shift: 1500–2330.