Immunohematology Laboratory Scientist III

BloodworksNW; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401a/403b retirement plans

Paid time off 4.8-6.8 weeks per year

Transit subsidy

Educational reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Bloodworks Northwest in Seattle, WA is seeking an Immunohematology Laboratory Scientist III. This role trains for the Laboratory Scientist IV and performs complex antibody workups, antibody IDs, and neonatal evaluations, ensuring high-quality transfusion testing in a highly regulated lab.

You'll maintain inventory, support QA/SOP development, and act as a technical resource for internal staff and physicians.

Qualifications

• Must qualify as Testing Personnel, High Complexity Testing under CLIA.
• Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science or related field.
• Certification as MLS/BB/MLT or equivalent required.
• SBB certification preferred.
• Minimum 2–3 years of Immunohematology lab experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex antibody workups and antibody ID testing.
• Perform warm autoantibody evaluations.
• Maintain and track inventory of antigen-typed units and testing supplies.
• Review workup documentation, final reports, and coordinate billing for testing.
• Provide technical resource and consultation to internal staff and physicians.

Skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

MS Office

English proficiency

Education

MLS/BB/MLT certification

Bachelor of Science in CLS or related

SBB certification preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

We have a fantastic opening for a ScientistIII in our Immunohematology Reference Lab. This lab performs clinical laboratory testing under routine and emergency protocols. This position is in training for the Immunohematology Laboratory Scientist IV position.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: As an Immunohematology Laboratory Scientist III:

• Perform daily workups of complex antibody problems and other red cell reference testing. Fill blood orders promptly.
• Perform antibody ID using tube, gel, and solid phase methods.
• Perform warm autoantibody evaluations using matched cells and adsorption-elution techniques.
• Use enhancing reagents and enzymes to evaluate complex antibody problems.
• Perform extended transfusion reaction evaluations.
• Perform neonatal evaluations and antibody titers.
• Foster good customer service by acting as a technical resource and consultant to internal and external laboratory professionals and physicians. This may include the clinical significance of results, billing and logistical issues, etc.
• Maintain and track inventory levels of antigen-typed units and testing supplies.
• Maintain proficiency in the thawing of rare units (ARDP).
• Type, pack, and send rare units provided to the national exchange of rare units.
• Participate in initiatives to meet the requirements of the American Rare Donor Program to maintain AABB IRL accreditation for the laboratory.
• Prepare and QC reagents and serum for use during daily operations.
• Review workup documentation, final reports, and coordinate billing for testing performed.
• Encourage cooperation among all staff and maintain a professional, productive working environment.
• Troubleshoot equipment and transportation problems.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of all testing, research, and validation. Perform and document equipment Quality Control (QC) and maintenance.
• Work with laboratory staff to develop clear, concise, and up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Understand and participate in the laboratory's Quality Assurance (QA) functions. Report incidents involving unusual circumstances or failure to follow the written standard operating procedure.
• Complete CAP/AABB Survey Assignments within the allotted timeframe.
• Coordinate direct observations for competency assessments
• Keep current with emerging technologies and trends within the field of red cell reference.
• Participate in continuing education activities totaling at least 6 contact hours per year.
• Comply with all applicable SOPs as written.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as written.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must qualify as Testing Personnel, High Complexity Testing, under CLIA personnel requirements found in Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations.
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, another biological science, or its equivalent is required.
• Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Blood Bank Technologist (BB), or Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or equivalent is required.
• Certification as a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) is preferred.
• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in an Immunohematology Laboratory is required.

Specific job skills include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to comply with Bloodworks' Mandatory Vaccinations policy
• Requires the ability to comprehend the criticality of the testing performed as it relates to blood components prepared for transfusion or organs transplanted. Includes a fundamental understanding of the financial value of testing reagents and blood components being prepared, and the necessity of complying with all regulatory requirements (AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, and WA State), including the FDA's "Good Manufacturing Practices".
• Required mental activities involve continuous use of teamwork Required mental activities used less frequently include interpersonal skills, and the ability to read, write, speak and comprehend English (all used frequently); decision making, creativity, customer service, independent judgment and/or independent action, the performance of basic mathematics, and the performance of accurate proofreading and correct spelling (all used occasionally); and the use of discretion, presentations/teaching, problem analysis, negotiation, mentoring, the performance of basic mathematics and programming, and the performance of advanced programming (all used rarely).
• Required physical activities include frequent standing, walking, talking, reaching, feeling, hearing, handling, and repetitive hand and wrist motions. Required physical activities used less frequently include stooping, sitting, bending, and repetitive foot motions (all used occasionally); and kneeling, crawling, and climbing (all used rarely).
• The ability to push, pull, and lift an average of 40 pounds throughout the day is required, as is the ability to carry an average of 20 pounds.
• Significant manual dexterity is required to operate various instruments and to perform the required data entry.
• Must be capable of performing independent work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Functional proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

Shift: 4 x 10-hour shifts, 2030 to 0700. Tuesday through Friday.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Telecommuting is not offered in this role.
• This is a highly regulated position and is subject to various rules and regulations from regulatory agencies and accrediting bodies. These may include, but are not limited to, the DA, AABB, CLIA, and AP.
• Job conditions to be expected include: extensive travel; substantial overtime; on-call status (frequent); heavy lifting; constant standing; extensive close work with computer screens; sleep deprivation (occasional); and evening meetings (rare).
• Ability to work scheduled "on-call" for up to 12 days each month.
• Position requires extensive computer work and close work; occasional heavy lifting; constant standing; substantial overtime; on-call status; and infrequent off-shift work.
• The position requires intermittent work (up to 30 minutes per occasion) in cold rooms (1- 6 °C) and walk-in freezers (35 °C).
• Bloodworks is a community-supported non-profit organization. As such, a free incumbent can expect to work with volunteers.
• As this is an essential position with direct responsibility to donors and/or patients, the incumbent should be prepared to work extended and/or consecutive shifts, and possibly at a different location, during periods of inclement weather or other emergencies.
• Ability to work scheduled holidays and weekends.
• This position has direct exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Benefits and Perks:

Employees regularly scheduled for 24+ hours per week are covered by medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with family coverage also available. Also eligible to participate in retirement plans (401a & 403b), a consolidated paid leave program (4.8-6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service), a subsidized transit program, and educational reimbursement. Candidates hired from outside of our service area may be eligible for a relocation assistance bonus*

*Conditions apply

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