Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Per Diem, Variable Shift)

Adventist Health; Tehachapi (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Adventist Health in Tehachapi, California, seeks a Clinical Laboratory Scientist to perform laboratory tests on biological specimens. The role involves ensuring specimen integrity, adhering to safety protocols, and accurately reporting results. A Bachelor’s Degree in medical technology or a related field, along with a valid CLS license in California and certification from ASCP or NCA, is required. Candidates must exhibit strong skills in conducting quality assurance and patient identification procedures, making this an essential role within the healthcare team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or equivalent.
• Valid Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license in CA is required.
• Current certification from ASCP or NCA.

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical laboratory tests on biological specimens and report results.
• Ensure specimen integrity and follow lab safety protocols.
• Review and evaluate test results for validity and accuracy.

Skills

Clinical laboratory experience

Positive patient identification

Specimen collection

Quality assurance policies

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in medical technology

Certification from ASCP or NCA

Job description

Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley has been providing high‑quality healthcare services since 1934. We are comprised of a 25‑bed hospital, a wide range of outpatient services, an emergency department, rural health clinics and medical offices. Tehachapi is located just north of Southern California's most populated areas, with a mountain locale known for its outdoor living. Residents enjoy scenic beauty, extreme sports and wildlife. Tehachapi offers a nice balance of a small‑town community within an epicenter of shopping, retail, arts and culture.

Job Summary

Prioritizes and performs a wide variety of clinical laboratory tests on various biological specimens. Reviews, evaluates, documents and reports results. Preserves confidentiality of patients and follows lab safety and maintenance protocols. Trains and supervises trainees, laboratory assistants and clerks as needed.

Job Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory science, biological sciences, chemical sciences or allied health technologies, or equivalent.
• Clinical laboratory experience.

Licenses / Certifications

• Valid Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license in the state of employment (required in CA).
• Current certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or National Credentialing Agency for Labs (NCA).

Essential Functions

• Employs positive patient identification procedures to ensure specimen integrity for pre‑analytical, analytical, and post‑analytical testing. Performs proper specimen collection (including phlebotomy where necessary), labeling, handling, preservation or fixation, processing or preparation, transportation and storage. Adheres to HIPAA and other patient confidentiality guidelines.
• Prioritizes lab orders according to type (STAT, ASAP, routine, timed studies) and performs testing (chemistry, coagulation, hematology, special chemistry, urinalysis, blood bank, serology, immunology, bacteriology, microbiology, referral testing, etc.) following prescribed quality assurance policies and procedures. Performs, evaluates, and documents quality control checks. Reviews testing results to evaluate validity against anticipated results indicated by the procedure manual.
• Reviews and evaluates the validity and accuracy of test results, recognizing inter‑dependencies, physiological conditions affecting results, patient age and normal values, controls, linearity errors, instrument codes, delta checks, etc. Correlates test results with diagnoses and questions incompatible results. Thoroughly documents and communicates results, expediting all critical values to appropriate clinicians.
• Disposes of contaminated materials and equipment per policy and ensures the work area is properly cleansed after each test. Performs equipment and instrumentation maintenance, troubleshooting and calibration as needed. Inventories and restocks reagents, calibrators, controls and supplies.
• Participates in the collection and evaluation of data for performance improvement. Documents adverse events using the incident‑reporting tool. Orients, instructs, and supervises laboratory assistants and clerks as needed.
• Performs other job‑related duties as assigned.

Organizational Requirements

All associates must receive required vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, where applicable. Medical and religious exemptions may apply. Adventist Health participates in E‑Verify; by applying, you acknowledge that you have read the E‑Verify Participation and Right‑to‑Work notices.