Clinical Laboratory Scientist I/II (Medical Technologist) (Open)

County of San Mateo; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A public hospital and clinic system is seeking two Clinical Laboratory Scientists I/II for the night shift. The ideal candidates will perform a range of complex laboratory tests to aid in diagnosis and treatment, contributing to the healthcare needs of San Mateo County. A generous sign-on bonus is available, and the position emphasizes quality, accuracy, and collaboration within a diverse, dedicated team.

Qualifications

• State Clinical Laboratory Scientist license required.
• 2-5 years of experience in medical laboratory work preferred.
• Experience in hematology, chemistry, blood banking recommended.

Responsibilities

• Perform high complexity testing and oversee testing technicians.
• Conduct microbiological examinations and blood analyses.
• Maintain quality control and compliance within the laboratory.

Skills

Laboratory Testing

Quality Control

Team Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Medical Technology

Job description

NOTE: This recruitment was amended on April 10, 2025, to place a hold on accepting new applications. New applications are currently not being accepted.

Exciting news! Candidates can receive a sign-on bonus of up to $30,000. First-time external new hires or current staff promoted internally or from other County departments into a regular Clinical Laboratory Scientist I/II position in San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) may be eligible to receive a sign-on bonus of up to $30,000 (subject to discontinuation at any time). The sign-on bonus will be in 3 phases and will be prorated for part-time positions.

San Mateo Medical Center is currently seeking two Regular/Full-Time, Clinical Laboratory Scientists I/II for the night shift.

San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) is a public hospital and clinic system fully accredited by The Joint Commission. SMMC operates outpatient clinics throughout San Mateo County and an acute-care hospital in San Mateo, with a mission to "partner with patients to provide excellent care with compassion and respect." As part of an integrated San Mateo County Health, SMMC serves the healthcare needs of all residents of San Mateo County, with an emphasis on education and prevention.

SMMC Laboratory is looking for experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientists to join our team! Positions are available for Clinical Laboratory Scientists/Medical Technologists in various shifts. Generalists are encouraged to apply as clinical areas include hematology, chemistry, coagulation, and blood banking.

Under general supervision, the Clinical Laboratory Scientist I/II (Medical Technologist/Generalist) will perform high and moderate complexity testing and oversee testing of medical laboratory technicians and specimen management by phlebotomists during their shift to provide data used in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of diseases.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Clinical Laboratory Scientist I is the journey level class in the medical technologist series with incumbents performing routine and specialized laboratory tests. This class is flexibly staffed with Clinical Laboratory Scientist II, and incumbents are expected to advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating the required proficiency.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist II is the advanced journey level class in the medical technologist series with incumbents independently performing a variety of complex and specialized laboratory tests.

Possession of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (MTA) license issued by the State of California is required, and 2 - 5 years of experience in medical laboratory work as a licensed technologist is strongly preferred.

The ideal candidate will also possess:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science, or another related field.
• Experience with hematology, chemistry, and/or blood banking.

NOTE for the Relief positions: The hourly wage for Relief Clinical Laboratory Scientist classifications is currently 4% above the rate for Regular employees in the same classification.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular vacancies. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Perform microbiological examinations on a variety of specimens using morphological, cultural, biochemical, and serological identification of micro-organisms.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of blood and urine using standard procedures.
• Perform routine hematological examinations such as complete blood count, coagulation studies, sedimentation rate, etc.
• Perform blood banking procedures including typing, grouping, and cross matching of blood for transfusion.
• Perform serological examinations using a variety of techniques on various clinical specimens.
• Prepare culture media, stains, reagents, and stock solutions.
• Operate and care for laboratory equipment and assume responsibility for preventive maintenance.
• Perform all quality control tests required by procedures and prepare quality control reports.
• Maintain records of laboratory results, quality control data, and laboratory procedures.
• Assist in laboratory quality assurance procedures, data gathering, and problem-solving.
• Compile and prepare periodic reports.
• Assist in training and guiding laboratory assistants and paraprofessional employees, as well as teaching other technologists' new procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

If designated as the CLS-Blood Bank Specialist:

• Perform and document proficiency testing in the same manner as patient samples.
• Communicate, liaison, instruct, and dialog appropriately with healthcare providers, patients, and vendors on issues such as test interpretation, recommendations for alternate testing, instrumentation, and problems with specimens/methodology.
• Identify all simple and some complex antibodies.
• Investigate and develop new/modified blood bank procedures and technical review and monitoring of existing procedures.
• Provide technical expertise in the Blood Bank to establish compliance with any of the regulatory/accreditation agencies' requirements related to testing, training, and education, competency evaluation, proficiency testing, validation, standard operating procedures, and performance improvement.
• Manage Blood Bank inventory.
• Review Crossmatches and off-shift Antibody IDs.
• Review Transfusion reactions with Lab Director.

Note: The level and scope of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below are related to job duties as defined under Distinguishing Characteristics.

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a Clinical Laboratory Technologist license issued by the State of California; and/or Clinical Immunohematologist Scientist (MTD) license issued by the State of California.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

Education: Bachelor's Degree (baccalaureate) in biology, clinical laboratory science, or equivalent major that includes 25 semester or equivalent quarter units of biology courses, which must include genetics and immunology.

Experience: Minimum of two years of experience performing medical laboratory work as a licensed technologist, including at least one year of experience in immunohematology.

Knowledge of:

• Current technology, principles, and application of medical examinations such as those commonly used in biochemistry, microbiology, blood banking, hematology, and serology.
• Operation and care of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.

Skill/Ability to:

• Make independent judgments in evaluating the validity of completed laboratory tests.
• Maintain and analyze quality control programs.
• Follow written and oral directions, procedures, or instructions.
• Perform serological, parasitological, bacteriological, immunological, hematology, and biochemical tests.

If designated as Blood Bank Specialist:

• Perform biochemical tests and technical test interpretations
• Understand regulatory requirements specific for one's area of expertise

Anyone may apply.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted 5 days in advance in the County of San Mateo Human Resources Department.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE:

Final Filing Date: Continuous

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Debbie Kong (07202022) (Clinical Laboratory Scientist I/II - F074/F023)