Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 92,266,000 - 95,418,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, disability &

Job summary

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network in Itasca, IL, seeks a laboratory professional for high-complexity testing, quality control, and equipment maintenance in a clinical lab setting.

The role requires meticulous work, precise data entry, and clear communication with clinicians and transplant coordinators. A biology/clinical lab background is needed; CHT/ASCP preferred. Benefits include comprehensive insurance, PTO, and retirement options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological or clinical laboratory sciences or related field.
• CHT and/or ASCP certification preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clinical staff.

Responsibilities

• Perform high complexity testing including HLA typing, flow cytometry and serology.
• Document results and interpret complex reaction patterns.
• Communicate results to clinicians and transplant coordinators.
• Enter data into laboratory information systems.
• Maintain equipment preventive maintenance and QC records.
• Monitor reagent quality and supply levels.

Skills

Critical thinking

Communication

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Multitasking

Task prioritization

Independent work

Quality control knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological/clinical laboratory sciences

CHT and/or ASCP certification preferred

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Flow cytometry equipment

HLA typing equipment

Job description

Overview

Responsible for performing laboratory testing, quality control procedures, and maintenance of equipment and work area

Summary

Overview

Responsible for performing laboratory testing, quality control procedures, and maintenance of equipment and work area

Compensation range for this Second Shift position: $32.20 - $33.30 per hour

Our Benefits

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance options for full-time employees
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plan
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement up to the IRS-allowed maximum
• Personalized learning and educational development opportunities
• Monthly cell phone and internet stipends
• Paid Parental Leave
• Annual Employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Accounts to support wellness needs
• Support and counseling for personal, work financial or family needs through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and our partnership with Critical Incident Stress Consultants (CISC)

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

The following essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Advance Gift of Hope's mission, vision and core values: providing compassionate service, contributing to outstanding teams and engaging as one of our passionate people committed to a positive culture that respects the dignity and worth of each individual. Adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.
• Perform high complexity testing including, but not limited to, HLA typing, flow cytometry and serology crossmatching, HLA antibody screening, ABO typing and infectious disease testing
• Document test results and all pertinent information; interpret different and complex reaction patterns; identify probable causes for any irregular or atypical test results
• Correctly communicate results to internal and external customers including clinicians, transplant coordinators, and other OPO personnel
• Enter, retrieve, and transmit test data into laboratory information systems
• Freeze cells and sera from donors for retrospective testing
• Process blood samples received from patients waiting for a transplant
• Prepare mailers (tubes, labels and dialysis lists) for dialysis centers and patient homes for collection of monthly samples
• Prepare reagents required to perform analysis and ensure reagents are available and usable
• Set up and monitor equipment required to perform tests
• Maintain established preventive maintenance schedules for assigned equipment
• Adjust and calibrate assigned equipment
• Maintain quality control records and logs; prepare, record and store data for future reference
• Monitor supply levels to ensure adequate levels are maintained
• Maintain cleanliness of work area per laboratory standards
• Participation in process improvement initiatives strongly encouraged
• Responsible for documenting any deviation from testing protocols using QA laboratory system
• Responsible for determining, tracking, trending and reporting of relevant quality metrics, including, but not limited to, turnaround times, error rates, customer satisfaction score, etc. as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Training Required

The following identifies the minimum education and training required to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Bachelor's degree in one of the biological, chemical and/or clinical laboratory sciences, medical technology or a related field
• CHT and/or ASCP certification preferred

Experience And Skills Required

The following indicates the minimum skills and experience required to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to communicate in an effective manner and work effectively with others
• Familiarity with procedures for quality control of reagents and maintenance of equipment
• Ability to learn and apply new testing methods, processes and equipment introduced into the lab
• Ability to conduct multiple tests simultaneously
• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Excellent attention to detail to conduct and read tests
• Analytical skills to interpret test results and identify atypical results
• Some experience in a clinical laboratory setting preferred

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Ability to stand, sit, bend, stoop and kneel to perform job duties
• Fine motor skills to conduct tests and repair equipment
• Visual acuity to read and record test results and conduct equipment maintenance

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that will be encountered by an employee while performing the essential functions of the job.

• Clinical laboratory
• Required to use PPE while conducting tests
• Ability to work outside normal business hours to participate in off-shift work schedule covering weekends and holidays

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and does not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, military or veteran status, family medical history or genetic information or any other classification protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on an individual’s job-related qualifications and abilities.