Per Diem Clinical Laboratory Scientist

About the Role

Performs pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phase testing of all complexities as defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act/Amendment (CLIA). This includes specialized tests and analysis in one or more areas of the clinical laboratory such as Hematology, Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, Urinalysis, Immunohematology, Serology, Parasitology, and chemical and morphological examinations to obtain data for use in diagnosis and recording laboratory test results. Analysis is performed on various populations (e.g., neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, geriatric clients).

Note: Additional requirements apply for positions at the Regional Reference Labs (RRL).

Responsibilities

• Upholds Kaiser Permanente’s Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities, and applicable state, federal, and local laws.
• Provides the highest level of patient care as defined by established standards and maintains confidentiality of all tests performed.
• Performs and reports test results for all clinical laboratory procedures, both automated and manual, without immediate review by the director, consultant, or supervisory team.
• Demonstrates proficiency, competency, and understanding of fundamental principles of clinical laboratory procedures with minimal supervision.
• Monitors and is accountable for test data, quality control, quality assurance, preventive maintenance, proficiency testing, and all operations related to laboratory testing procedures.
• Notifies the supervisory team of any irregularities or factors that may influence test results.
• Troubleshoots equipment and test methods, identifies and resolves unusual laboratory situations, and notifies appropriate parties within shift.
• Consults with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and others on technical aspects of methodologies, test utilization, and interpretation of patient results.
• Instructs new employees and/or Clinical Laboratory Scientist students in laboratory procedures to develop proficiency and understanding.
• Provides training, guidance, and technical information to Laboratory Assistants, support staff, clerks, CLS students, and Medical Center personnel.
• Participates in workgroups to address departmental problems, issues, or goals.
• Assists in evaluating new test procedures and communicates possibilities for implementation to the supervisory team.
• Meets state requirements for mandatory continuing education units (CEUs).
• Works professionally, cooperatively, and courteously in accordance with established standards.
• Observes all laboratory, Kaiser Permanente, and regulatory agency policies and procedures.
• Maintains departmental safety, including chemical and biological protocols, in accordance with established safety and infection control procedures.
• Monitors supplies and reagents, notifying appropriate parties of par levels.
• May perform clerical or support duties, including phlebotomy on inpatients and outpatients, as assigned.
• Assists in work areas outside of primary assignment as needed.
• Operates computerized laboratory data systems/applications.
• Participates in direct patient care by providing information to enhance understanding of laboratory tests, instructing patients on specimen requirements, and collecting samples (e.g., blood, body fluids, secretions, tissues).

Requirements

• High School Education or General Education Development (GED) required.
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist License (California).
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of principles, theories, practices, methodologies, and techniques required of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

Additional Requirements for Regional Reference Labs (RRL)

• Function competently as a Licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientist in a high-volume laboratory, demonstrating knowledge of principles, theories, practices, and techniques.
• Good communication skills and problem-solving ability.
• Experience in automated instrumentation, testing principles, molecular-based procedures, QC protocols, autoverification, EIA, chemiluminescence, and IFA platforms.
• Knowledge of method validations, hematology validation, QC, calibration, and manual differential counts (CORE LAB: Automated Chemistry, Immunology, Hematology).
• Experience and knowledge in high-complexity methods employing electrophoresis, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and Special Coagulation (SPECIAL CHEMISTRY, SPECIAL COAGULATION, BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS).
• Experience in molecular microbiology, method validations, QC, calibration, testing, and viral studies (MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY/VIROLOGY).
• Ability to read, interpret, work up, and report culture results for Aerobic and Anaerobic Bacteriology; proficiency in reading and interpreting stained smears; knowledge of automated/molecular identification and susceptibility testing (BACTERIOLOGY).

Additional Requirements for Regional Flow Cytometry (Los Angeles)

• One year of recent experience in Flow Cytometry analysis, including leukemia/lymphoma phenotyping, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, T cell subset enumeration, DNA cell cycle analysis, and cytochemical staining.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of recent experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS).
• Experience in Blood Bank (Vision Max/Swift, Ab ID, manual assays), Phadia 1000/250, Quantalyzer, Diasorin XL, Bioplex, EIA, IFA, and agglutination testing.

Schedule

Varies. Start times may change per department needs.

• Shift: Variable
• Workdays: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
• Working Hours: 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM

Pay

Pay Range: $69.01 - $74.65 per hour. Kaiser Permanente strives to offer a market-competitive total rewards package and is committed to pay equity and transparency. The posted pay range is based on possible base salaries for the role and does not reflect the full value of the total rewards package. Actual base pay determined at offer will be based on labor market data, internal alignment, and a candidate's years of relevant work experience, education, certifications, skills, and geographic location.