Medical Lab Scientist

UVA Community Health · Gainesville, VA · 1 mo ago

On-siteAnalyst$31.64–$46.76/hrPart-time

About the role

Performs patient and Quality Control (QC) testing, develops skills and maintains competency in assigned laboratory areas. Patient tests and Quality Control (QC) material tests are performed and results reported in accordance with departmental policy. Error rate is consistent with established departmental standards. Critical values are reported and documented per medical laboratory policy. Clinical correlation of results with other known patient parameters is incorporated in result verification per department procedure. Workload is prioritized and managed to meet expected Turn-Around-Time (TAT).

Responsibilities

Performs patient and Quality Control (QC) testing and reports results in accordance with departmental policy.
Maintains error rates consistent with established departmental standards.
Reports and documents critical values per medical laboratory policy.
Incorporates clinical correlation of results with other known patient parameters in result verification per department procedure.
Prioritizes and manages workload to meet expected Turn-Around-Time (TAT).
Maintains proper inventories and correctly uses supplies and reagents; communicates inventory needs in a timely manner.
Receives, stores, and verifies quality of reagents prior to use following departmental policies; disposes of reagents and supplies in accordance with safety guidelines.
Monitors equipment performance, diagnoses malfunctions, and makes repairs or initiates service requests; performs routine instrument maintenance and documents it on a scheduled basis.
Initiates trouble-shooting procedures in a timely manner and contacts manufacturer’s Technical Service as needed to maintain workflow and schedule repairs.
Ensures a smooth transition to the next shift; restocks workstations with supplies to maintain consistent workflow.
Communicates unresolved problems, including pending log, problems, and critical values to the appropriate person(s).
Demonstrates knowledge of quality, safety, and compliance programs; reports quality issues to a supervisor in a timely manner.
Submits suggestions for process improvement for routine review; applies compliance guidelines to all testing and reporting activities.
Investigates, documents, and resolves routine problems or complaints; handles customer complaints professionally and in a timely manner.

Organizational duties

Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills; projects a positive, professional demeanor through verbal and non-verbal communications.
Delivers information for patients and staff in a manner that is supportive, timely, and understandable.
Resolves interpersonal conflicts using appropriate methods and organizational resources.
Acknowledges diverse perspectives and models language and behaviors that build inclusiveness in the work environment.
Serves, manages, and supports internal and external customers; maintains privacy for patient and employee information at all times.
Initiates actions to meet or exceed customer/co-workers expectations by implementing the I Make the Difference philosophy.
Participates in performance improvement activities on an ongoing basis; demonstrates initiative to proactively diagnose and resolve problems.
Participates as a team member and is accountable for own work responsibilities; schedules time off to avoid disrupting workflow.
Offers help to others to solve problems and complete tasks to facilitate communication and positive team dynamics.
Displays productive work habits and demonstrates accountability for actions and decisions in daily work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or chemical, physical or biological science or equivalent.
Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Science program.
OR Bachelor’s Degree to include 35 semester hours comprised of Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Math AND 1 year full-time experience in Blood Bank, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Hematology.
OR Bachelor’s Degree to include 30 semester hours in Biology and Chemistry AND 1 year full-time experience in categorical exam area.

Qualifications

Technologist/Scientist Certification from ASCP or AMT-MT required.
Must obtain certification within 18 months of hire; failure to do so may result in termination of employment.
All individuals newly certified ASCP beginning January 1, 2004 must participate and maintain ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) through the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP).
All individuals newly certified AMT beginning January 1, 2006 must participate and maintain AMT Certification Continuation Program (CCP).
Knowledge of current medical terminology to perform full range of laboratory tests.
Knowledge of laboratory equipment and testing to perform quality control checks and troubleshooting of instrumentation.
Skill in performing a full range of laboratory tests; ability to read and understand information about instrumentation in the laboratory field.
Skill in anticipating and reacting calmly to emergency situations; ability to follow written protocols.
Ability to work independently; ability to communicate clearly.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, hospital staff, and the public.

Preferred competencies

Patient Care: Shows a commitment to provide the highest level of patient care; collects, labels, and prepares specimens for testing; maintains required documentation for all lab procedures; processes requisitions for testing; prepares and distributes reports.
Teamwork: Cooperates within a team to achieve goals and deliverables; provides information and consultation to requestors; recognizes interdependencies with other areas and supports other staff as needed; shares and initiates regular and professional communication with co-workers; participates in regular staff meetings.
Technical Competence: Uses knowledge acquired through training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; performs competency and proficiency testing to assure maintenance of skills; completes educational activities to continually improve skills and assists consultants; participates in improvement of methods and processes.

Physical demands

The job requires constant standing, frequently walking, and bending/stooping. Proficient communicative, auditory, and visual skills are required. Attention to detail and ability to write legibly. Ability to lift/push/pull 100 lbs. For any weight over 35 lbs., use Safe Handling Equipment. May require the use of safety equipment, such as HEPA mask, for infection prevention. On-call responsibilities and ability to travel between campus buildings, remote facilities, and out of town as needed may be required.

Pay

The base compensation range for this role is $31.64 – $46.76 hourly. Individual compensation will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications, previous work experience, and/or education. The pay range does not include any applicable incentive compensation programs such as shift differentials, clinical ladders, and other incentives that may be available for those in eligible positions.