Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

About the Role

Provides safe, effective, quality medical laboratory services to infant, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients in accordance with professional standards. Performs analyses that require a complex network of steps and variables. Confirms and verifies results through an in-depth knowledge of techniques, principles, and instruments. Correlates and interprets data based on knowledge of physiological conditions affecting test results. Establishes and monitors quality assurance programs.

Department Description

The laboratory teams at Samaritan Health Services perform testing on samples that may include blood, body fluids, and tissue to aid in the diagnosis of diseases, illnesses, or conditions requiring medical attention. Lab tests are processed for hospital inpatients and emergency room patients 24 hours a day, as well as for outpatient and clinic specimens. All Samaritan Health Services labs are licensed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Act (CLIA) and accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

Responsibilities

• Perform complex medical laboratory analyses requiring multiple steps and variables.
• Confirm and verify test results using advanced knowledge of techniques, principles, and instruments.
• Correlate and interpret data based on physiological conditions affecting results.
• Establish and monitor quality assurance programs.
• Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to collect and analyze data.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and monitor performance.
• Provide customer service within the healthcare community, including needs assessment and satisfaction evaluation.
• Communicate technical concepts and conduct training or demonstrations for customers and new employees.

Requirements

• Candidates must be actively following or have completed a Medical Laboratory Scientist-approved route to meet eligibility criteria for certification.
• ASCP, AMT, or equivalent certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist required within one (1) year of hire.

Skills

• Analytical/Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to collect and analyze data, solve problems, and make decisions using clear and logical steps.
• Clinical Laboratory Technology: Working knowledge in laboratory medicine and technology, including clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology.
• Quality Assurance Fundamentals: Basic knowledge of clinical quality assurance and quality control techniques.
• Compliance Monitoring: Ability to monitor performance based on regulatory standards and licensure conditions.
• Customer Service: Knowledge of principles for providing customer service in healthcare, including needs assessment and satisfaction evaluation.
• Training and Education: Ability to communicate technical concepts and conduct presentations or demonstrations.

Physical Demands

• Rarely (1 - 10% of the time): Climb ladders, crawl (hands & knees), carry 1-handed (20 - 40 lbs), carry 2-handed (40 - 60 lbs), kneel, squat (static hold >30 sec).
• Occasionally (11 - 33% of the time): Lift (floor to waist: 20 - 40 lbs), bend forward at waist, rotate trunk (sitting), reach forward, pull (0 - 20 lbs force).
• Frequently (34 - 66% of the time): Walk on incline, climb stairs, lift (floor to waist: 0 - 20 lbs), lift (knee to chest: 0 - 20 lbs), lift (waist to eye: 0 - 20 lbs), carry 1-handed (0 - 20 lbs), carry 2-handed (0 - 20 lbs), carry 2-handed (20 - 40 lbs), push (0 - 20 lbs force), rotate trunk (standing), reach upward, pinch fingers, grasp hand/fist, manual dexterity (hands/wrists), finger dexterity.
• Continually (67 - 100% of the time): Sit, stand, walk on level surfaces.