Medical Lab Scientist II

Lexington Health is a comprehensive network of care that includes six community medical and urgent care centers, nearly 80 physician practices, more than 9,000 health care professionals, and 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 first in the state to achieve Magnet with Distinction status for excellence in nursing care, Lexington Health delivers over 4,000 babies and performs more than 34,000 surgeries annually. The network also includes 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.

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 MLS performs 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 (e.g., venipunctures and capillary punctures) using developmentally appropriate techniques for patients of all ages.
• Conduct testing in accordance with laboratory accreditation requirements and established procedures/policies.
• Process laboratory specimens for assigned departments, selecting, performing, evaluating, and monitoring test procedures independently.
• Calibrate instruments, verify data, perform routine quality control, preventative maintenance, and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions; document and communicate issues to appropriate personnel.
• Serve as a technical resource and key operator for laboratory instruments, training employees on operation, troubleshooting, and updates; make independent decisions in the absence of a supervisor.
• Perform quality assurance activities, such as process improvement analysis, to enhance productivity, turn-around times, and overall laboratory service.
• Review patient and instrument data for accuracy, maintain proper records (e.g., quality control reports), and recognize abnormal results; correlate data with other test results and conduct follow-up actions as required.
• Notify appropriate personnel of critical or "alert" test results and ensure proper communication of results to healthcare providers or patients when interpretation is sought.
• Achieve and maintain competency in waived, moderate, and high-complexity testing, with semi-annual checks in the first year and annual checks thereafter.
• Demonstrate knowledge of regulatory agencies (e.g., COLA, OSHA, CLIA, JCAHO) and assist with accreditation preparation and inspections.
• Adhere to safety policies and procedures, modeling best practices for staff and suggesting improvements for safety conditions.
• Provide patient care/support tailored to the cognitive, physical, and emotional needs of the patient group served.
• Evaluate and implement new test procedures or instruments, review current procedures for updates, and develop/revise laboratory manuals and documents.
• Review quality control documents for outliers and trends, take corrective action, and communicate findings to supervisors.
• Perform management duties as assigned, including DOS phone responsibilities on second/third shifts.
• Train new employees and students on technical procedures and equipment, both in clinical and classroom settings.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and incorporate differences (e.g., cultural, spiritual, gender, race, age) into patient care.
• Engage in continuous process improvement by questioning and evaluating procedures, researching solutions, and implementing changes through quality assurance projects or new testing methods.
• Demonstrate clinical reasoning, including decision-making, critical thinking, and informed experiential knowledge.
• Ensure proper disposal, storage, and management of hazardous waste and pharmaceuticals, including compliance with RCRA training requirements.
• Collaborate with coworkers, nurses, physicians, and other healthcare workers in a team-based approach to achieve optimal patient care goals.
• Maintain confidentiality and communicate courteously and accurately with all stakeholders.
• Facilitate learning for coworkers, students, and healthcare team members through formal and informal education.
• Meet continuing education requirements for national certification and Lexington Medical Center MLS level requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree from a nationally or internationally accredited educational institution.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience as an MLS or MT.
• Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MT/MLS) from the American Society of Clinical Pathologist (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) or an equivalent state/governmental certification (e.g., NCA, AMT, AAB). Certification may be at the MLS level or categorical (e.g., chemistry, hematology, blood bank, microbiology), with practice limited to the certified category(ies).
• ASCP BOC Specialty Certification (e.g., SBB, SC, SH, SM, SMB, SCYM) is required.
• Must complete annual competency assessments as an MLS II.

Substitutable Education & Experience: For candidates without ASCP BOC Specialty certification, 10 years of supervisory experience may substitute for 3 years of MLS/MT experience and certification, provided the individual is hired in the specialty area they supervised.

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 matching up to 6% from day one.
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to 1x salary; optional supplemental life insurance up to 3x salary at low-cost premiums.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Student loan forgiveness.

Schedule

Full-time, day shift: 07:00–15:30 with rotating weekends.