Clinical Laboratory Scientist II

CommonSpirit Health; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Dignity Health - French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, CA seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist to perform complex tests across hematology, chemistry, and microbiology, ensuring accurate and timely results for patient care.

You will operate and maintain instrumentation, perform quality control, and provide clinical correlation, rapid notification of critical values, and training for staff, with emphasis on accuracy and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a biological or chemical science per CLIA.
• Three or more years of hospital experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist.
• Must possess a valid California license as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CA CLS).
• Qualifies as a General Supervisor under CLIA 88 regulations.

Responsibilities

• Performs and reports waived, moderately complex, and highly complex tests on patient specimens per SOPs.
• Provides clinical correlation of results and rapid notification of critical values to caregivers.
• Acts as a group leader to assist staff and ensure workflow efficiency.
• Maintains major automated equipment and performs calibration/troubleshooting; contacts vendors as needed.
• May train new employees and students in the department.

Skills

Strong scientific foundation

Advanced technical proficiency

Problem-solving abilities

Meticulous attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Biological/Chemical Science

California CLS license

General Supervisor qualification under CLIA 88

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Clinical Lab Scientist, you will be a critical diagnostic expert, performing complex laboratory tests to ensure accurate, timely results vital for patient diagnosis and treatment.

Every day, you will execute a wide range of analytical procedures across various lab disciplines (hematology, chemistry, microbiology, etc.). You'll analyze specimens, operate/maintain instruments, interpret results, and conduct quality control, providing crucial data for clinical decisions.

To be successful in this role, you must demonstrate a strong scientific foundation, advanced technical proficiency, exceptional problem-solving skills, and meticulous attention to detail. Your paramount commitment will be to accuracy and regulatory adherence.

• Performs and reports waived, moderately complex, and highly complex test procedures on patient specimens adhering to the Section’s Standard Operating Procedures to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Provides excellent patient care through clinical correlation of results, identification of patterns of bias, rapid notification of appropriate caregivers of critical values, and completion of testing within established turn‑around‑time limits.
• Acts as a ‘group leader’ by assisting other staff members in work duties as needed to ensure a smooth workflow in the department.
• Ensures that major automated equipment is operational by performing required maintenance, calibration and troubleshooting procedures; including contacting of instrument vendor for assistance or repair.
• May receive or have extended instrument training to function as an instrument lead for the department.
• Trains new employees and students in the department.

Job Requirements

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in a biological or chemical science as defined by CLIA
• Three or more years of recent hospital experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist.
• Must possess a valid California license as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist CA CLS
• Qualifies as a General Supervisor under CLIA 88 regulations.

Preferred

• When hired into a specific CLS modality, current, full-time experience in that modality
• ASCP registration desirable.

Where You'll Work

Founded in 1946, Dignity Health - French Hospital Medical Center is a 112-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in San Luis Obispo, California. Serving over 150,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including heart care, orthopedics, and a family birthing center. Additionally, French Hospital Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and has achieved an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for every reporting period since 2012.

One Community. One Mission. One California