Medical Laboratory Scientist

About the role

To perform a variety of routine or specialized tests and procedures for use by physicians in diagnosis and treatment of patients in one or more areas of work, such as Histocompatibility and/or Flow Cytometry.

Responsibilities*

• Provide Clerical/Administrative Support
• Answer phone calls, monitor call list, make critical value calls, report results and document calls, as needed.
• Scan documents (scan requisitions and worksheets); organize and file test reports and documents, file slides.
• Identify and correct incorrect orders and specimen issues, which include duplicate tests, missing or incorrect samples, missing information, and unacceptable specimens.
• Communicate effectively with lab staff, clinicians, and other customers to meet customer service expectations and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Manage inventory, unpack shipments, stock lab supplies, and reconcile invoices.
• Assist lab leaders in development in technical procedures, protocols, and projects, as needed.
• Accessioning, Specimen Processing and Distribution
• Accession and process samples with accuracy which includes specimen receiving, centrifuging, aliquoting, and evaluating specimens for suitability of testing.
• Prioritize and accurately distribute patient samples within the laboratory consistent with quality assurance goals.
• Access and navigate the Pathology Document Control System, Hospital Information System (HIS), and Laboratory Information System (LIS) to accession patient specimens, requesting additional information from appropriate resources.
• Assist in Problem solving (duplicate tests, missing samples, incorrect samples, and missing information); call on unacceptable specimens (clotted, hemolyzed, wrong container etc.).
• Work with other laboratory personnel to process patient casework with optimal efficiency and accuracy (e.g. basic sample preparation and setup of assays or loading automation lines).
• Assist medical staff by attending procedures (bone marrows procedures, interoperative surgery), as required.
• Laboratory Support / Maintain and Operate Instruments for Waived, Moderate and High Complexity Testing Instruments.
• Perform and document daily maintenance as specified in instrument procedures.
• Analyze patient samples as specified in the instrument procedures.
• Enter test results into laboratory databases.
• Ensure continuous operation by monitoring the status of reagents, parts, and supplies.
• Monitor error codes and perform troubleshooting. Document problems, action taken and outcomes in instrument logbooks.
• Perform general lab upkeep such as cleaning, removing trash, washing/sterilizing lab ware dishes, taking and recording temperatures, refrigerator and freezer maintenance, handling biohazard and chemical waste
• Assist with media and reagent preparation.
• Maintain work area in a well-stocked, clean condition.
• Perform Testing for Waived, Moderate, and High Complexity Tests
• Perform and document quality control and proficiency testing for waived, moderate, and high complexity tests. Act on out-of-range quality control values.
• Perform waived, moderate, and high complexity testing.
• Analyze patient samples and report test results consistent with accuracy and quality assurance goals of the laboratory into laboratory databases.
• Interpret test results for waived, moderate, and high complexity tests.
• Other Duties
• Comply with departmental continuing education requirements.
• Provides instructions in laboratory technique, instrumentation, and application of procedures to students and new employees.
• Maintain competencies for all assigned sections.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science or other biological science.
• Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist or eligibility for certification at the time of hire.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, and hand pipetting for long periods of time and the ability to lift up to 25lbs.
• Demonstrated successful clinical experience.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate medical terminology and technical procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and take appropriate actions with clinical results.
• Demonstrated effective organizational skills within a lab setting.

Desired Qualifications*

• Previous experience in a Molecular Laboratory
• Previous experience in a Histocompatibility Laboratory