Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee/1 Generalist (Night Shift), Renton Core Laboratory

About the role

The UW Medicine - Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology in Seattle, WA is seeking a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Trainee/1 Generalist for the Renton Core Lab at the Renton Central Lab.

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical laboratory testing within a highly automated Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) environment.
• Operate, monitor, troubleshoot, validate, and optimize automated analyzers and specimen automation systems across the Core Laboratory, including Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, and Urinalysis.
• Maintain analyzer performance, manage automation workflows, and validate data through middleware and the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• Run and evaluate quality control on all applicable general bench procedures.
• Perform maintenance procedures daily, weekly, and monthly on all general bench instruments according to SOPs.
• Perform appropriate quality assurance procedures for all flagged samples as indicated by the middleware for each sample in LIS and/or HC1 automated analyzer as instructed by the SOPs and the middleware.
• Determine when results are reportable and validate the results in the middleware program and thus report the results to the Lab Information System (LIS).
• Understand the troubleshooting documentation process for each quality control and escalate issues when necessary.
• Make and analyze cytospin preparations, differentiate normal and abnormal cell morphology, identify and differentiate types of WBCs and nucleated cells, crystals, casts, other urine elements.
• Train students and new employees in performing the tasks assigned for each bench in the sections for which they are trained.
• Perform reagent replenishment on the various automated analyzers and for other manual tests as needed.
• Operate and monitor Total Laboratory Automation systems, including automated analyzers, automated specimen receipt, centrifugation, decapping/recapping, aliquoting, routing, storage, and retrieval systems.
• Troubleshoot technical issues as they arise and follow up with the section Lead or Manager for the department.
• Detect when results are questionable and perform quality control and quality assurance requirements to validate test results.
• Recognize critical and other urgent results that may need to be called to a clinical provider and correctly communicate these results to the appropriate provider in the expected timeframe.
• Retrieve samples, slides, reagents, or any testing materials needed for review from storage when requested.
• Operate and monitor Total Laboratory Automation systems, including automated analyzers, automated specimen receipt, centrifugation, decapping/recapping, aliquoting, routing, storage, and retrieval systems.
• Identify and resolve automation line errors, troubleshoot automation track stoppages and analyzer interface issues in collaboration with section Leads, IT, and vendor technical support.
• Perform validation and verification of new automation modules, analyzer interfaces, and middleware rule changes.
• Recognize and manage mislabeled specimens in accordance with SOPs and follow up with the LMR (Lab Medicine Resident) on call when appropriate.
• Perform maintenance and troubleshooting on all related equipment.
• Make decisions based upon written policies and demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills when new situations arise.
• Know the critical limits for all tests (or how to access them quickly) for which critical values are defined and report them to appropriate medical staff.
• Follow established protocols for reporting STAT results and ensure turnaround times (TAT) meet expectations.
• Avoid assist with the evaluation of new tests and instrumentation.
• Perform inventory in assigned areas, unpack, label, and put away supplies, taking care to rotate stock as needed and inform the Supervisor or Lead well in advance when any items are getting low.
• Instruct new employees, medical laboratory scientist program students, residents, and post-doctoral fellows in routine procedures with tolerant patience.
• Maintain TempTrack for-related equipment.

Requirements

• Accredited bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science OR equivalent education/experience AND Eligible to take the Medical Laboratory Science certification examination from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) within eighteen months from date of hire.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
• MLS 1: Accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science OR equivalent education/experience AND Current Medical Laboratory Scientist certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent certifying organization OR certification with specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division AND One (1) year of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee.
• Up to one (1) year of on-the-job experience performing clinical testing in a Medical Laboratory Science Program externship may count toward the experience requirement.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
• Experience working in a Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) platform.
• Experience in a high-volume core laboratory environment.
• Experience as MLS generalist.

Qualifications

• MLS Trainee: Accredited bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science OR equivalent education/experience AND Eligible to take the Medical Laboratory Science certification examination from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) within eighteen months from date of hire.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
• MLS 1: Accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science OR equivalent education/experience AND Current Medical Laboratory Scientist certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent certifying organization OR certification with specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division AND One (1) year of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee.
• Up to one (1) year of on-the-job experience performing clinical testing in a Medical Laboratory Science Program externship may count toward the experience requirement.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.
• Desired Qualifications: Experience working in a Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) platform, experience in a high-volume core laboratory environment, and experience as MLS generalist.

Benefits

Benefits include vacation time and sick time off that accrue monthly, including 12 paid holidays. State Employee Tuition Exemption Program covers up to 6 credits of qualifying coursework per quarter at the University of Washington or other participating colleges or universities. Fully subsidized public transit pass (U-PASS) covers multiple forms of public transportation in the region. Excellent healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options. Lots of free fantastic fitness, healthy eating, finance, and stress reduction classes offered through the Whole U. And much more!

About UW Medicine

All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that include Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, Valley Medical Center, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest. Join our mission to make life healthier for everyone in our community.

Compensation, Benefits And Position Details

Pay Range: Minimum $37.70 hourly, Maximum $55.62 hourly. Benefits: Other Compensation: For information about benefits for this position, visit here. Shift: Permanent Night Shift (United States of America). Temporary or Regular: This is a regular position. FTE (Full-Time Equivalent): 100.00%. Union/Bargaining Unit: SEIU Local 925 Healthcare Prof/Lab Tech.