Lab Scientist - Referrals

OU Medical Center; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Relocation assistance

Job summary

OU Health is seeking a Lab Scientist to join the Referrals Department: Laboratory Outreach. This role supports patient care by coordinating tests with reference laboratories and maintaining high-quality laboratory operations.

The position offers weekday hours (Mon–Fri) with weekends and major holidays off, reflecting a work-life balance while contributing to timely and accurate results in a collaborative team environment. Training and growth opportunities are provided.

Qualifications

• Education as listed: MLT or 24 sem hrs in MLT/science with chemistry/biology coursework
• 0-3 years clinical lab experience for Level 1; 3-5 years for Level 2; 5+ years for Level 3
• Nationally recognized certification preferred (ASCP, AMT, AABB, NASKL, ASCLS, HHS, ASHI, AAB, ABB, AMS, CRP, EBPH, Military or NILA)

Responsibilities

• Perform waived and nonwaived lab testing promptly per policies.
• Adhere to hospital and lab safety policies including PPE use.
• Participate in quality and performance improvement activities.
• Document laboratory results and specimen handling in LIS.
• Maintain and operate instrumentation per training and protocols.
• Contribute to inventory management and competency assessments.

Skills

Laboratory testing

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Associate Degree in Medical Lab Tech (MLT)

Tools

Lab instrumentation

LIS / lab informatics

Job description

Position Title

Lab Scientist - Referrals Department: Laboratory Outreach

Job Description

New to OU Health? Ask your recruiter about our competitive total rewards package including a possible sign-on bonus and relocation assistance if you are located outside of 100 miles!

This position may be filled as levels 1-3, depending on specific education, experience, and license requirements.

Looking for a work-life balance while still making a difference? Join our high performing Referrals (send out) Lab team! We are looking for a detail-oriented professional who values teamwork, organization, and making a meaningful impact behind the scenes.

This Monday - Friday position offers great hours with weekends and major holidays off, while allowing you to support patient care through accurate and efficient coordination of specialized testing with reference laboratories.

General Description

Under close supervision, performs routine standardized clinical diagnostic tests in a clinical laboratory.

May require working with infectious agents.

Essential Responsibilities

• Performs waived and nonwaived laboratory patient testing in a prompt and reliable manner according to established hospital and departmental policies.
• Complies with all hospital and laboratory safety policies and procedures including the appropriate use of PPE.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and supports the hospital in meeting regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Participates in laboratory quality activities including quality monitoring and auditing, occurrence/deviation documentation and performance improvement.
• Receives, sorts, accesses the acceptability of specimens for testing and/or distributes specimens to appropriate laboratories/laboratory sections.
• Records information in the OUH lab informatics system relative to patient demographics, specimen/sample collection, identification, preservation, processing, quality control, test results and specimen referral.
• Assess potential performance problems that may occur during testing, take appropriate action as needed.
• Prepares chemical solutions and reagent preparation with appropriate labeling.
• Perform quality control procedures following authorized laboratory policy.
• Operates, calibrates, and maintains instrumentation within scope of training and established protocols.
• Documents completion of instrument maintenance and function checks.
• Assumes responsibility of own professional development.
• Calls notification values to appropriate clinical staff and documents those notifications in the electronic medical record.
• Performs proficiency testing according to laboratory and regulatory requirements.
• Participates in inventory management and completes annual competency assessments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Level 1)

• Education: Associate Degree of Medical Lab Technology (MLT), OR Bachelor’s Degree which includes: 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that include six (6) semester hours of chemistry, six (6) semester hours of biology, and twelve (12) semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination required.
• Experience: 0-3 years of experience in a clinical or other laboratory setting required.
• License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s): Nationally recognized certification through one of the following governing accreditations: ASCP, AMT, AABB, NASKL, ASCLS, HHS, ASHI, AAB, ABB, AMS, CRP, EBPH, Military or NILA preferred.

Minimum Qualifications (Level 2)

• Education: Associate Degree of Medical Lab Technology (MLT), OR Bachelor’s Degree which includes: 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that include six (6) semester hours of chemistry, six (6) semester hours of biology, and twelve (12) semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination required.
• Experience: 3-5 years of experience in a clinical or other laboratory setting required.
• License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: Nationally recognized certification through one of the following governing accreditations: ASCP, AMT, AABB, NASKL, ASCLS, HHS, ASHI, AAB, ABB, AMS, CRP, EBPH, Military or NILA.

Minimum Qualifications (Level 3)

• Education: Associate Degree of Medical Lab Technology (MLT), OR Bachelor’s Degree which includes: 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that include six (6) semester hours of chemistry, six (6) semester hours of biology, and twelve (12) semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination required.
• Experience: 5 or more years of experience in a clinical or other laboratory setting required.

  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Must have the skills to perform required laboratory testing.
  • Must be able to work as part of a team and follow instructions.
  • Must be able to consistently and dependably report to work as scheduled.
  • Must be able to maintain legible, accurate and organized records.
  • Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and exercise sound judgment.
  • Must be able to multi‑task and remain calm in stressful situations.
  • Must possess ability to understand various operations, policies and procedures.
  • Ability to work and communicate with co‑workers and other caregivers, and meet their needs in a professional, polite, courteous, compassionate, and cooperative manner.
  • Must demonstrate a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards establishing priorities and completing assignments.
  • Core knowledge and understanding of normal laboratory processes.

  Benefits

  • We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more.

  Additional Benefits and Mission Statement

  We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family.

  OU Health is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. With 11,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma’s largest doctor network with a complete range of specialty care.

  OU Health serves Oklahoma and the region with the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute‑Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center and Edmond Medical Center in the heart of the Edmond Community.

  Becker’s Hospital Review named University of Oklahoma Medical Center one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America for 2020. OU Health’s oncology program at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center was named Oklahoma’s top facility for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020‑21 rankings.

  OU Health also was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in these specialties: Colon Surgery, COPD and Congestive Heart Failure.

  OU Health’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. Experts in prevention, treatment and cures, our team works to improve lives through innovation in medical care, education and research, while investing in the people, technologies and facilities that will enable us to achieve our goals.

  We are seeking individuals who have a passion and talent for caring for others. By joining our team, you will provide quality health care to our community through the work you do every day. We provide clinical and non‑clinical opportunities to further your career and we invite you to explore our available positions.

  Equal Employment Opportunities

  OU Health is an equal opportunity employer.

  Equal employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or protected veteran status in accordance with applicable federal laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

  Reasonable accommodations are made to the known physical and mental limitations of qualified individuals with disabilities.