Medical Lab Scientist

Pay Range: $38.93 - $54.76

About the role

Under minimal supervision, applies advanced technical skills and seasoned judgment to provide a full range of sample test analyses and laboratory services independently and competently in a hospital-based laboratory. Shift work and night and weekend call are required to provide 24-hour laboratory coverage in Sitka/WMC. Perform all levels of testing including CLIA defined high complexity testing. Works with infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients.

The work typically involves full responsibility for all technical aspects of the laboratory and includes a wide variety of duties involving diverse and complex technical problems and considerations, such as procuring compatible, lifesaving units of blood for a patient with antibodies. Assignments may involve complicating factors like practical, economic, or operating problems; inadequate or discrepant information about new instruments or methodologies; or requests for modified procedures, test alternatives, or special studies to meet specific clinical situations. Decisions directly or indirectly affect the quality of patient care and can be “life or death” decisions or problems.

Responsibilities

• Perform all levels of testing including CLIA defined high complexity testing and laboratory services.
• Evaluate, judge, and interpret test results and ensure accuracy.
• Identify and resolve inconsistencies in patient results and troubleshoot problems with MLTs and LSTs.
• Provide specialized expertise in microbiology, transfusion medicine, molecular biology, and infectious disease safety.
• Perform patient specimen testing and ensure sample suitability.
• Provide limited test utilization and interpretation information to medical staff and nursing; refer advanced clinical questions to the Laboratory Medical Director.
• Provide LIS consultation to all SEARHC staff and educate them in acceptable practices of laboratory medicine.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and instruments, ensuring quality control and functionality.
• Review Levey-Jennings (LJ) charts and submit data to the Laboratory Manager and peers.
• Work with the Laboratory Manager to ensure quality measures are met and write policies and procedures.
• Prepare the lab for inspection from regulatory institutions.
• Review the work of MLTs and LSTs to ensure accuracy and assign tasks under the direction of the Laboratory Manager.
• Train new employees, staff, and laboratory students.
• Participate in continuing education programs.
• Ensure adequate levels of inventory are maintained.
• Write procedures for the department using the CLSI format and coordinate procedure manual review, updates, and distribution.
• Establish a quality control program appropriate for the testing performed, setting parameters for acceptable levels of analytical performance and ensuring these levels are maintained throughout the testing process.
• Resolve technical problems and ensure remedial actions are taken whenever test systems deviate from established performance specifications.
• Provide proper training to new employees during orientation and regular training to all technologists when there are changes in their department.
• Assist the laboratory manager with evaluating the competency of all testing personnel and with Process Improvement activities.
• Understand and assist the laboratory manager with implementing CAP standards and CLIA regulations in the department.
• Coordinate inventory levels with the laboratory manager to maintain proper supply levels.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or related field. Progressively responsible work-related experience, education, or training may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for college education.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Medical Technologist (ASCP) OR Clinical Laboratory Scientist (AMT) OR equivalent certification (as determined by a national credential certification agency).
• Clinical Competency required within 3 months of hire and every three years.
• One (1) year of progressive clinical experience or one (1) year of hospital internship subsequent to degree.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of all levels of laboratory testing including CLIA defined high complexity testing.
• Knowledge of LIS operation and the ability to utilize a variety of laboratory and other software applications.
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment use and operations.
• Knowledge of all aspects of quality control.
• Knowledge of CLIA, Joint Commission, CAP, and other regulatory requirements.

Skills

• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other employees and subordinates.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Ability to interpret laboratory reports and quality control results for accuracy and troubleshoot problems.
• Ability to perform patient specimen testing and ensure sample suitability with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to work independently to assess the validity of lab results before release to providers.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other employees and subordinates and to keep self and others on task.
• Ability to train staff and maintain necessary continuing education.

Benefits

• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• Paid parental leave
• Health insurance
• Dental and vision benefits
• Life insurance
• Long and short-term disability

About the organization

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement. Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career.