Laboratory Scientist/MLS/CLS/MT – Microbiology – Evenings

Virginia Commonwealth University Health; Richmond, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University Health is seeking a Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist to perform complex tests and provide timely results for diagnosis and treatment. The role emphasizes quality assurance, equipment maintenance, and education of staff, with potential phlebotomy duties and weekend/on-call availability.

Qualified candidates hold a BSCLS or biological science degree with a NAACLS-accredited CLS/MT program and must obtain certification

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science or Biological Science with NAACLS-accredited CLS/MT program.
• Certification as MT/MLS by ASCP or CLS by NCA or AMT (or equivalent).
• Ability to obtain certification within 6 months if hired as an MT/MLS graduate.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory tests according to established procedures.
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and validate lab equipment.
• Perform quality control and follow QA guidelines.
• Educate and train laboratory personnel, students, and residents.
• Maintain supplies and inventory; handle specimen collection if applicable.
• Ensure CAP/JCAHO and other accrediting standards compliance.

Skills

Customer service

Phlebotomy

Teamwork

Education

BS in Clinical Laboratory Science (BSCLS)

Biological Science degree with NAACLS-accredited CLS/MT program

MSCLS (preferred)

Job description

$7,500 Sign On Bonus for offers accepted by September 30, 2026. Terms and Conditions apply

The Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist provides accurate and timely testing and results to requesting physicians and other healthcare professionals for use in diagnosis and treatment of disease. Responsible for the analyses of a variety of biological specimens and performs complex lab tests. Consistently utilize excellent customer service skills to both internal and external customers at all times. Position requires a positive and professional interpersonal style with a strong commitment to the team effort.

Essential Job Statements Performs laboratory tests according to established procedures. Operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and validates lab equipment. Performs, documents quality control, and follows established quality assurance guidelines. Assists in educating and training laboratory personnel, students, and residents. Maintains laboratory supplies and inventory. May perform specimen collection, specimen processing and phlebotomy as applicable to specific work location. Ensures the laboratory is maintaining accreditation standards from College of American Pathologist (CAP), Joint Commission (TJ) and other accrediting agency standards as required. Perform other duties as assigned.

Patient Population: Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit. Demonstrates knowledge and related competencies of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age, specific needs and to provide the equitable care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures. Neonates (0-4 weeks), Infant (1-12 months), Pediatrics (1-12 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adults (18-64 years), Geriatrics (65 years and older).

Employment Qualifications Education Qualifications Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (BSCLS) from an accredited program or a Bachelor's Degree in a Biological Science* in addition to graduation from an NAACLS-accredited CLS/MT certificate program OR Bachelor’s Degree in a Biological Science with 5 or more years of on the job training in a hospital health care environment in a specific lab discipline performing high complexity testing in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and clinical microscopy (categorical or generalist certification required). *Unless grandfathered under previous hiring requirements Preferred Education: Master’s Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (MSCLS) from an accredited program Licensing/ Certification Licensure/Certification Required: MLS graduates that are hired upon graduation must obtain certification within 6 months of their graduation date. Current Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) by the National Credentialing Agency (NCA) or American Medical Technologists (AMT) National Certifying Agency or equivalent ASCP categorical certification.

Individuals with required Credential Maintenance: technical positions that require certification maintenance, team members must obtain the number CE hours as required by The Board of Certification Credential Maintenance Program (CMP). Individuals with ASCP certification prior to January 1, 2004, are not required to participate in the certification maintenance program. Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment: Current Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) by the National Credentialing Agency (NCA) or American Medical Technologists (AMT) National Certifying Agency or equivalent ASCP categorical certification Team Members with required Credential Maintenance: technical positions that require certification maintenance, team members must obtain the number CE hours as required by The Board of Certification Credential Maintenance Program (CMP).

Minimum Qualifications Years and Type of Required Experience: Minimum: Entry Level Medical Laboratory Scientist Graduate.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: Ability to work rotating weekends as required. Ability to work Holidays scheduling as required. Ability to take on call availability as required and for emergency coverage on any shift.

Cultural Responsiveness: N/A.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: Previous Medical Technologist, Clinical Lab Scientist or Medical Lab Scientist experience is preferred.

Working Conditions: Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. General office environment. May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc. Required to car travel to off‑site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions. May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights. May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids. * May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials. * May have periods of constant interruptions. * Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.), Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.), Lifting/ Carrying (100+ lbs.), Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.), Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.), Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Climbing, Balance, Bending Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards Physical Requirements: Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination), Perform shift work, Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder, Reach above shoulder, Repetitive arm/hand movements, Finger Dexterity, Color Vision, Acuity – far, Acuity – near Hazards: Depth perception, Use of Latex Gloves, Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents, Exposure to moving mechanical parts, Exposure to dust/fumes, Exposure to potential electrical shock, Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy, Exposure to high pitched noises, Gaseous risk exposure Mental/Sensory – Emotional Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady Pace, Able to Handle Multiple Priorities, Frequent and Intense Customer Interactions, Noisy Environment, Able to Adapt to Frequent Change.

Compensation Grade Ranges: Med Tech: $30.01 - $46.51 Med Tech 3: $33.01 - $51.17 Med Tech 4: $33.01 - $51.17 Actual Salary offers will be based on several key factors to include relevant work experience, credentials, and qualifications.

Evenings EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran.

Who We Are Inventing better care, day by day by discovery Sound outrageous? It absolutely is. Sound impossible? That’s never stopped us before. Sound like hard work, intense research, collaboration with experts around the world, sheer brainpower meets unrelenting willpower? That’s. Exactly. Right. We’ll do whatever it takes to offer the best in care and empower the best in quality of life. And it’s an approach that works — whether it’s a patient who undergoes a new, life‑saving procedure or a clinical researcher who finds promise in a new cancer treatment, exciting new medicine is happening at VCU Health. We have it all:

• One college and four health sciences schools
• An academic medical center
• A Level I trauma center
• One of only two NCI-designated cancer centres in Virginia
• The region’s only full‑service children’s hospital
• More than 800 physicians in 200 specialties
• With a community health center, dedicated research teams, facilities and valued partners in every field

Our medical teams are top notch. And we’re not too shy to boast of internationally known physicians, some recognized as the best in the country, top‑ranked local specialists and all‑around all‑stars at every level. From our very first years to our most recent advancements, we are driven to learn more, dig deeper, teach passionately and never rest in order to be a true leader in discovering what’s possible in health and recovery. We are a comprehensive system of care and a pioneer of health. Read VCU Health Year In Review for more about our accomplishments.