Laboratory Scientist - PRN - SRMC

Tricore; Rio Rancho (NM); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement plan with employer matching

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Tricore in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, is hiring a Laboratory Scientist. In this role, you will conduct various laboratory tests for diagnosing and treating diseases, maintain laboratory equipment, and ensure quality control.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in biological or chemical science, and multiple levels are available based on education and experience. Tricore offers robust benefits, including medical, dental, and 401(k) plans, along with numerous career advancement opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological or chemical science required.
• Must meet CLIA regulations for laboratory positions.
• Experience in a clinical laboratory preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory tests to diagnose diseases.
• Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment.
• Document and log clinical laboratory testing.

Skills

Clinical laboratory experience

Troubleshooting procedures

Quality control

Specimen collection

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological or chemical science

Associate's degree in laboratory science

Certification in clinical laboratory science

Job description

Laboratory Scientist – PRN – SRMC (990)

Are you ready to help lead the way to better health? A career at New Mexico’s largest laboratory means you’re pivotal to advancing medicine and creating healthier communities. We are dedicated to improving the wellness of our employees, offering an excellent benefits package, a culture of integrity and strong work/life balance, and numerous opportunities for career advancement and professional development.

Robust medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, supplemental plans, 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching, lucrative paid time off, and nine paid holidays per year.

Job Summary

Under general supervision, performs waived, moderate or high complexity laboratory tests for diagnosing and treating disease. Performs maintenance, basic troubleshooting, and repairs of laboratory equipment. Runs and evaluates quality control testing to ensure equipment is functional prior to patient testing. May assist with implementation and oversight of waived point of care testing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs and documents clinical laboratory testing exercising independent judgment and responsibility.
• Notes abnormal patient results and informs supervisor, pathologist, or principal investigator as appropriate.
• Operates laboratory equipment and instruments, performs and documents basic maintenance procedures.
• Performs routine logging for QC/QA purposes, collects and compiles QA data as directed, monitors QC for trends and documents corrective action as needed or directed.
• Performs troubleshooting procedures, identifies testing problems and recommends appropriate solutions using defined guidelines.
• Actively participates in regulatory inspections.
• Takes inventory as needed or appropriate; orders supplies for the Section/Department as directed.
• Assists with training of new staff and/or students.
• Serves as a liaison with internal and external customers/employees/clients.
• Depending on the site or department, may participate in the POCT oversight program including training lab and non‑lab personnel, troubleshooting performance, reviewing quality performance, and participating in implementation and validation as necessary.
• Collects specimens such as blood, urine, sputum and other body fluids and prepares them for analysis, as required by the site or department.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

Minimum Qualifications

Selected candidates for the TriCore Laboratory Scientist position will be placed into LS I, LS II, LS III, or LS IV based on education and experience as follows:

Laboratory Scientist I

• Must meet one of the following per CLIA regulations: • Bachelor’s degree in biological or chemical science from an accredited institution (legally require HB immunity). • Associate’s degree in laboratory science (biology or chemistry) or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution. • Education and training equivalent to an associate degree in a laboratory science or medical laboratory technology, including at least 60 semester hours, with sub‑criteria as listed. • Previously qualified or could have qualified as a technologist under CLIA regulations on or before February 28, 1992.
• No experience required.

Laboratory Scientist II

• Must meet one of the following: • Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution (No experience required). • Bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry and two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience. • Associate’s degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology and two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience. • Two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience and education equivalent to an associate degree (with at least 60 semester hours and specified sub‑criteria). • Successful completion of a U.S. military medical laboratory training course and bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry and one year of direct clinical laboratory testing experience.

Laboratory Scientist III

• Must meet one of the following: • Two years of Laboratory Scientist II at TriCore; • Bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry and four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience; • Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science or medical technology and two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience; • Successful completion of a U.S. military medical laboratory training course and bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry and three years of direct clinical laboratory testing experience; • Associate’s degree in laboratory science or medical laboratory technology and four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience; • Four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience and education equivalent to an associate degree (with at least 60 semester hours and specified sub‑criteria); • Four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience and prior qualification as a technologist under CLIA regulations on or before February 28, 1992.

Laboratory Scientist IV

• Must meet one of the following: • Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science or medical technology and four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience; • Bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry and four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience.

PREFERENCES

• ASCP or AMT certification as a BB, C, CG, H, M, MB, MLT, MLS, SBB, SC, SCYM, SH, SM, or SMB, or ADLM Certification in POCT, or ACHI certification as CHA, CHT or CHS, or NRCC Certification as a Toxicological Chemist or Toxicological Technologist (Certification required for LS IV placement).

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

• Prove immunity to Hepatitis B or be immunized or sign a waiver refusing hepatitis immunization.
• Provide documentation of a tuberculosis test conducted not more than 90 days prior to hire, or have a TB test conducted.
• In departments/locations with direct patient contact: Prove immunity or be eligible to receive rubella, rubeola, and varicella immunization.

TriCore is New Mexico’s largest laboratory, employing more than 1,400 individuals who serve in a broad range of positions. We foster a culture of integrity and dedicate ourselves to excellence, offering opportunities for continuous learning, education assistance, wellness programs, career advancement, a variety of shifts at multiple locations, and a genuine commitment to the health of our communities.