Medical Lab Scientist-Reference Lab

About the Role

Using formal and clinical education, with a high degree of ethical behavior, perform manual and automated laboratory tests in the ARH Reference Laboratory to provide the highest quality of clinical information for diagnosis, treatment, and health maintenance for ARH, its clinical customers, and patients.

Responsibilities

• Process specimens for testing.
• Use the laboratory information system to register patients, enter orders for testing, determine medical necessity, look up results, and direct reports to appropriate entities.
• Discard specimens when testing is complete or lifespan is reached.
• Perform CLIA Waived, Moderate, and High complexity specimen testing and report results once trained and competency is signed as satisfactory.
• Contact specimen collector for information as needed and appropriate within HIPAA guidelines.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and well-stocked work environment.
• Handle and process specimens and paperwork as instructed in written and verbal instructions.
• Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, and spinal fluid, to determine the presence of normal and abnormal components.
• Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of results.
• Enter data from analysis of medical tests and clinical results into the computer for storage.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain equipment used in quantitative and qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, and computer-controlled analyzers.
• Establish and monitor quality assurance programs and activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.
• Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Provide technical information about test results to physicians, family members, and researchers.
• Supervise, train, and direct lab assistants, medical and clinical laboratory technicians, technologists, and other medical laboratory workers.
• Study blood samples to determine the number of cells and their morphology using microscopic techniques.
• Assist in creating and maintaining written documentation, instructions, and policies applicable to the ARH reference laboratory.
• Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
• Ensure completion of ordered testing in accordance with ARH written instructions or policy, industry best practices, and clinician orders.
• Prepare culture media, chemicals, reagents, and solutions as appropriate to the position.
• Perform bacteriologic, microscopic, and chemical laboratory tests and examinations to obtain data for diagnosis and treatment of disease.
• Use automated equipment and instruments capable of performing simultaneous testing, including microscopes, cell counters, and other lab equipment.
• Perform simple and complex mathematical calculations.
• Analyze results and communicate findings to appropriate healthcare providers.
• Record findings in accordance with established policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Perform and monitor quality control programs.
• Maintain inventory of supplies, materials, and equipment.
• Maintain and clean equipment and instruments per established procedures and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Function as a General Laboratory Supervisor, including being available for consultation by phone or in person to all healthcare personnel, providing technical oversight to CLT and TLA personnel, and providing emergency leadership within the laboratory in the absence of the Laboratory Administrator/Director or their designee.
• Obtain staff coverage when notified of an absence.
• Address failures of testing or environmental instrumentation.

Note: The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) must not enter test results for testing they did not perform or order testing without a clear and specific clinician order.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology or equivalent to qualify for certification as a CLS or MT.
• Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) by ASCP, AAB, AMT, or equivalent preferred on hire; required within 12 months.
• One year of current experience within the last three years in a comparable job classification.
• Ability to function as a General Laboratory Supervisor.
• Compliance with HIPAA regulations; maintains strict confidentiality of client information.
• Compliance with Infection Control, Standard Precautions, and OSHA standards for healthcare professionals.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment (e.g., face mask, goggles, latex/non-latex gloves) as needed.
• Ability to work effectively within role independently and with other team members.
• Ability to organize and complete work in a timely manner.
• Understanding of medical/surgical terminology.

Skills

• Ability to read, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• Completion of an accredited Medical Laboratory Technologist (MT) program.
• Current certification as a CLS/MT.
• Active listening skills, including giving full attention to others, understanding points being made, and asking questions as appropriate.
• Use of logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Ability to understand written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Use of scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Conduct tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Effective verbal communication to convey information.
• Identify complex problems, review related information, develop and evaluate options, and implement solutions.