Clinical Laboratory Scientist SR24 (Underfill Opportunity as a Medical Laboratory Technician 2)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a leading healthcare organization focused on patient-centered care. As a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, you'll play a vital role in conducting essential laboratory tests and ensuring high-quality standards in a supportive environment. This position not only offers an opportunity to utilize your skills in a meaningful way but also provides a pathway for growth as you contribute to the well-being of the community. With a commitment to health equity and excellence, this role is perfect for those eager to make a difference in the lives of others while advancing their career in a collaborative setting.

Benefits

Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance

Paid Sick Leave

Vacation and Personal Leave

Ten Paid Holidays

Pension and Retirement Plans

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science or related field required.
• Must have current certification as Medical Technologist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

Responsibilities

• Perform various laboratory tests and maintain quality control standards.
• Draw blood samples and document results accurately.

Skills

Phlebotomy

Laboratory Testing

Quality Control

Data Analysis

Education

Bachelor's in Medical Laboratory Science

Bachelor's in Biology

Associate's in Medical Laboratory Technology

Tools

Laboratory Information System

Personal Protective Equipment

Job description

Initial Posting Date:

05/01/2025

Application Deadline:

05/11/2025

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$5,066 - $7,070

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Clinical Laboratory Scientist SR24 (Underfill Opportunity as a Medical Laboratory Technician 2)

Job Description:

Want to work with a great team of medical professionals for an organization that truly believes in a healthier Oregon?

The Oregon State Hospital-Salem Campus is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) to join our team! This position offers an underfill opportunity for Medical Laboratory Technician 2 (MLT2) applicants that do not meet the minimum qualifications for the CLS role. Either position will require phlebotomy experience as it is a primary skill set used in this department.

*See details below under ‘Minimum Qualifications’

The Oregon State Hospital (OSH), a division of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), provides patient-centered psychiatric treatment for adults with mental illness from throughout the state. The hospital's primary goal is to help people recover from their illness and return to their lives in the community. Employees play an essential role in achieving the hospital's vision to be a psychiatric hospital that inspires hope, promotes safety, and supports recovery for all.

What you will do!

Clinical Laboratory Scientist:

• Performs waived, point of care, and moderately complex testing when appropriately trained, and according to established protocols in urinalysis, serology, chemistry, immunochemistry, hematology while meeting quality and schedule requirements defined by the Laboratory Director or designee.
• Maintains records that demonstrate that proficiency testing is performed in the same manner as patient samples.
• Follow corrective action policies and protocols whenever test systems are not within established levels of performance, document all corrective action taken.
• Organizes and prioritizes work to meet time parameters and to effectively accommodate possible interruptions in workflow.
• Reports test results via the Laboratory Information System, screens lab reports and results for Critical values, Reportable Disease reporting, and STAT reporting, and documents as appropriate according to established protocols.
• Recognizes instrument or equipment malfunction and takes appropriate action in order to achieve adequate and timely resolution so that patient results are not delayed, and proper documentation is performed according to protocol.
• Performs and documents routine preventative maintenance procedures, quality control testing, and calibrations.
• Accumulates and tabulates data used for Laboratory Quality Improvement monthly, and for each quarterly report.
• Works on special projects, as delegated by the Laboratory Director or designee.
• Works on The Joint Commission standards as delegated by the Laboratory Director or designee.
• Draws blood samples from potentially verbally and physically abusive patients. Utilizes established protocols for technique, test requirements (amounts and types of collection containers), safety, security, and patient/staff communication to effect satisfactory test results and patient cooperation.
• Advises nursing and other unit staff regarding acceptable specimen collections of urine, stool, culture specimens, etc.; utilizes references/resources appropriately to provide optimal information and advice regarding collection, handling, storage, and transport of specimens.
• Collects and Processes samples for delivery to testing areas at OSH Laboratory departments along with samples sent to the reference laboratories.
• Checks for proper specimen identification by following National Patient Safety Goals: 2 identifiers, full name, case number, date, time, staff member collecting on all samples. Verifies proper handling, storage, and transport of specimens. Utilizes OSH information on the I:/ drive and reference laboratory site when appropriate to the testing.

Working Conditions

• Daily application of personal protective equipment for specific laboratory task.
• Daily exposure to (potential) blood-borne pathogens.
• Daily exposure to patients with aggressive behaviors.
• Daily exposure to instrument and equipment background noise.
• Daily operations of computer (keyboard) system.
• Daily walking (35%), standing (40%), and sitting (25%); occasional bending and carrying packages weighing less than 25 lbs.
• Daily focus of attention (concentration) required for performing highly detailed work requiring accuracy.
• Work hours subject to change with little notice.
• May be required to work hours that exceed regular schedule, i.e., a double shift or a different shift in addition to regular schedule.
• Driving of an automobile between OSH Salem and OSH Junction City as needed for coverage of Laboratory Services.

Minimum Qualifications

Clinical Laboratory Science requirements:

A Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science or Medical Technology;OR A Bachelor's degree in Biology, Microbiology, or ChemistryAND one year of documented internship or experience in a clinical laboratory performing a variety of standard testing and examination procedures under general supervision in support of professional clinical or medical laboratory personnel.

**Must have current certification as a Medical Technologist (MT), Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS).

Medical Laboratory Technician 2 requirements:

A bachelor's degree in chemistry, Biology, or Microbiology;OR

An associate degree or at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit from a regionally accredited college/university, including six semester hours of chemistry and six semester hours of biology;AND

One year of Medical Laboratory Technician 1 level experience preparing reagents, testing media and stains, performing standardized laboratory tests, examinations, and occasionally assisting in more complex, specialized testing procedures;AND

Successful completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) accredited Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program within the last five years;OR

Clinical Laboratory Assistant, American Society for Clinical Pathology, CLA (ASCP) certification;OR

Successful completion of a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training course;OR

Three years of full-time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Immunology and Urinalysis/Body Fluids in an accredited laboratory within the last ten years.

NOTE: Must have current Medical Laboratory Technician certification.

Underfill Option for candidate's that want to use this position to grow their skill sets Medical Laboratory Technician 2-SR20

Salary $4,207.00 - $5,842.00

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor's degree in chemistry, Biology, or Microbiology; OR

Two years of Medical Laboratory Technician 1 level experience preparing reagents, testing media and stains, performing standardized laboratory tests, examinations and occasionally assisting in more complex, specialized testing procedures; AND

One year of "technical trainee" experience as a Laboratory Assistant in a clinical laboratory; OR

Completion of a certified clinical laboratory training program; OR

A certificate or associate degree in an Applied Science from an accredited Medical or Clinical Laboratory Technician training program.

OREGON STATE HOSPITAL OPTION:

A bachelor's degree in chemistry, Biology, or Microbiology; OR

An associate degree or at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit from a regionally accredited college/university, including six semester hours of chemistry and six semester hours of biology; AND

One year of Medical Laboratory Technician 1 level experience preparing reagents, testing media and stains, performing standardized laboratory tests, examinations, and occasionally assisting in more complex, specialized testing procedures; AND

Successful completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) accredited Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program within the last five years; OR

Clinical Laboratory Assistant, American Society for Clinical Pathology, CLA (ASCP) certification; OR

Successful completion of a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training course; OR

Three years of full-time acceptable clinical laboratory experience in Blood Banking, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Immunology and Urinalysis/Body Fluids in an accredited laboratory within the last ten years.

What's in it for you?

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment;promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. We offer full medical, vision and dental with paid sick leave, vacation, personal leave and ten paid holidays per year plus pension and retirement plans .

*This Medical Laboratory Technician and the Clinical Laboratory Scientist Technician are both full-time, permanent, SEIU represented positions.

OHA values health equity, service excellence, integrity, leadership, partnership, innovation, and transparency. OHA’s health equity definition is “Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances. Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address: the equitable distribution or redistributing of resources and power; and recognizing, reconciling, and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.” OHA’s 10-year goal is to eliminate health inequities. Click here , to learn more about OHA’s mission, vision and core values.

How to apply:

• Complete the online application
• Attach a Cover Letter describing how your experience meets what we are looking for. Specifically describe your hospital, in-patient facility, and/or mental health experience if you possess it.
• Attach Resume

Need Help?

If you need assistance to participate in the application process including an accommodation request under the American with Disabilities Act, please call Barry Lein Voice: [503-440-6484]

Email: [e-mail]

Additional Information

• Please monitor your Workday account, as all communication will be sent to your Workday account. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply.
• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. Click here for more information about veterans’ preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, we will ask you for your documents later in the process.
• We do not offer VISA sponsorships or transfers at this time – unless specifically noted. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.
• If you are offered employment, the offer will be contingent upon the outcome of an abuse check, criminal records check and driving records check, and the information shall be shared with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Office of Human Resources (OHR). Any criminal or founded abuse history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.
• Candidates who are offered employment at the Oregon State Hospital must satisfactorily pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Please only attach documents that are related to the position. Additional documents that are attached will not be reviewed.
• Attention current State of Oregon employees : To apply for posted positions, please close this window and log into your Workday account and apply through the Career worklet.
• Applicant Help and Support webpage.

The Oregon Health Authority is committed to fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class (race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation) in the payment of wages or screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. We determine salary by completing a review of your application materials to evaluate your related education, experience, and training for this position. (critical elements of process).

The Oregon Health Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to work force diversity and anti-racism.