Medical Laboratory Scientist 2-28345

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates proficiency in all duties as defined in the role of Medical Technologist I.
• Demonstrates proficiency in identifying and resolving process issues that affect the laboratory's ability to perform laboratory testing.
• Acts as a resource for identifying and solving quality control issues and escalating these when appropriate.
• Demonstrates troubleshooting proficiency and therefore rarely needs to seek additional help.
• Prepares and presents a minimum of 15 minutes of continuing education within the department.
• Identifies and participates in process improvement projects.
• Utilizes required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined by the lab area.
• Limits specimen preparation to those that are acceptable and follows all laboratory procedures efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision once trained.
• Performs all laboratory procedures following Rush-approved Policies and Procedures.
• Acts as a technical resource for the testing area.
• Performs required quality control (QC) procedures and preventative maintenance, including corrective action and documentation, for all procedures and instrumentation.
• Recognizes QC problems or discrepancies and attempts to determine the cause of the problem.
• Notifies the appropriate supervisor or designee regarding QC problems or discrepancies according to the established procedure.
• Keeps work area neat, clean, organized, and well-stocked at all times.
• Disinfects area at the beginning and end of each shift.
• Accepts no inappropriate specimens.
• Notifies the appropriate person of specimens that must be drawn or collected again and documents the notification.
• Utilizes time effectively and seeks out additional job duties when shift tasks are complete.
• Completes work without incurring overtime.
• Assists fellow workers in finishing shift tasks.
• Adheres to the defined allotted time for breaks and lunch.
• Required to obtain and document 12 hours of laboratory continuing education per year.
• Required to prepare and present a minimum of 15 minutes of continuing education within the department.
• Accepts and/or volunteers for method evaluations and new procedure development or other special projects and completes them within an agreed-upon time frame.
• Participates in procedure implementation and training of new staff and students.
• Required to perform the duties of the tech-in-charge for specified periods.
• Oversees operations according to departmental guidelines.
• Understands when to defer issues to appropriate personnel, for example, a supervisor or director, and does so.
• Reviews lab results as required and takes appropriate action before verification and release.
• Recognizes and calls critical results within defined time frames.
• Reviews paper-generated results and transcribes them accurately into the Lab Information System.

  Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in laboratory science, biological science, chemistry, or education/work experience meeting the qualifications of high complexity testing personnel as defined by CLIA 42 CFR 493 1489.
  • Additionally, must have certification, and a minimum of 24 contiguous months of high-complexity clinical laboratory experience required.
  • In lieu of a Bachelors, then an Associate’s degree and/or education/work experience meeting the qualifications of high complexity testing personnel as defined by CLIA 42 CFR 493 1489 must be provided; and with MLT or other certification; and 7 contiguous years of high-complexity clinical laboratory experience.
  • Acceptable credentials (can vary depending on the laboratory section): Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) via the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Medical Technologist (MT) via the American Medical Technologists (AMT), Blood Bank (BB) via the ASCP, Chemistry (C) via the ASCP, Cytogenetics (CG) via the ASCP, Cytotechnologist (CT) via the ASCP, Hematology (H) via the ASCP, Microbiology (M) via the ASCP, Molecular Biology (MB) via the ASCP, Speciality in Cytometry (SCUM) via ASCP, Technologist in HLA (CHT) via ACHIM, Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) via AACC or ASCP with a minimum of 5 contiguous year's high complexity clinical laboratory experience.