Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee/1, Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics

About the role

The UW Medicine - Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (DLMP) in Seattle, WA has a fantastic opportunity for a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Trainee/1 with the Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics (DIDD) at the Renton Central Laboratory. Join UW Medicine’s DIDD team and play a vital role in identifying the pathogens responsible for complex infections and helping clinicians make timely, informed treatment decisions. This position offers the opportunity to apply advanced medical laboratory science skills across a broad range of diagnostic methods, including microbiology, virology, molecular diagnostics, microscopy, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Working in a dynamic, clinically focused environment, you will contribute directly to patient care while helping advance diagnostic quality, troubleshoot complex testing challenges, and support the development and implementation of new laboratory methods.

Schedule

• 100% FTE (Full-Time Equivalent)
• Sunday – Thursday with rotating holidays
• Night shift
• Regular position
• Union/Bargaining Unit: SEIU Local 925 Healthcare Prof/Lab Tech

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical infectious disease diagnostic laboratory testing in accordance with established procedures, regulatory requirements, and laboratory quality standards.
• Prepare, evaluate, and report direct smears and stains, including but not limited to Gram stains, KOH preparations, Pneumocystis DFA stains, acridine orange stains, Kinyoun stains, and Wright/Giemsa stains.
• Perform routine laboratory testing for the identification of bacteria, yeast, and parasites in accordance with established laboratory protocols.
• Perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing, including disk diffusion, Etest, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and other approved methods, as applicable.
• Perform serological and molecular testing procedures, including latex agglutination, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.
• Operate a variety of laboratory equipment and instrumentation, including automated blood culture systems, mass spectrometry instruments, automated susceptibility testing systems, BioFire systems, Cepheid GeneXpert systems, microscopes, biological safety cabinets, and Anoxomat systems.
• Record, evaluate, and interpret laboratory test results. Recognize and appropriately respond to unusual, discrepant, or critical findings and communicate such findings to the appropriate laboratory or clinical personnel.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and evaluation of laboratory procedures and processes. Participate in