Laboratory Section Leader -Microbiology, Laboratory, Full-Time, Days

Prisma Health; Maryville (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Prisma Health's Blount Memorial Hospital Laboratory-Microbiology team seeks a skilled laboratory professional to perform diagnostic tests and ensure accuracy in daily operations under SOP guidelines.

The role emphasizes proficiency in clinical procedures, quality control, instrument maintenance, and collaboration with pathologists and hospital staff to deliver timely results.

Ideal candidates have an associate degree in MLS/MLT, applicable certification, and Tennessee licensure requirements.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology or higher required.
• Two years of clinical laboratory experience.
• ASCP or AMT certification preferred.
• Proficiency with laboratory data systems and SOPs.
• TN state licensure as required for team members.

Responsibilities

• Conducts laboratory testing to aid diagnosis and treatment with precision.
• Operates computerized laboratory data systems and maintains specimens.
• Performs QC/QM activities and escalates discrepancies as needed.
• Maintains safety, clean environment, and inventory of reagents.
• Troubleshoots instrumentation and supports education of staff and students.
• Communicates results and collaborates with healthcare team.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Effective communication

Mathematical skills

Education

Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Physical/Biological/Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Technology

ASCP or AMT certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.

Job Summary

Conducts laboratory testing to aid in diagnosis and treatment of disease as a technical expert. Ensures proficiency and accuracy in all aspects of laboratory testing. Coordinates activities in the section to support daily operations and adherence to policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

• All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health's purpose: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.
• Demonstrates proficiency, competency, and understanding of fundamental principles of clinical laboratory procedures and performs with precision and accuracy. Reviews pending work using established protocol. Operates computerized laboratory data systems/applications as assigned. Assures proper retention of all specimens. Performs and reports test results for waived, moderate, and high complexity clinical laboratory procedures as assigned and as outlined in the standard operating procedure (SOP) manuals.
• Uses the correct policies and procedures in the collection, labeling, handling and processing of all specimens. Verifies identification of the patient, specimen, and results.
• Participates in Quality Control (QC) and Quality Management (QM) for area assigned. Evaluates patient and QC results for acceptability and notifies the appropriate individual of unresolved issues. Performs lookback if required. Evaluates results and specimen integrity based on department standard operating procedures (SOPs) and escalates discrepancies to appropriate individual. Monitors supply/reagent inventory and uses laboratory resources efficiently. Documents receipt and opening of a supply. Monitors expiration dates of all supplies and follows established protocol.
• Investigates and resolves technical problems, consults the appropriate individual as needed. Effectively operates laboratory instrumentation. Performs and documents maintenance and function/operational checks on instrumentation. Identifies real and potential situations or detects equipment malfunctions; troubleshoots the problem with appropriate individual or service representative and documents appropriately.
• Complies with Policies and Procedures of Prisma Health system, campus, and laboratory. Understands and complies with standards and conditions set forth by various governmental and accrediting agencies in assigned operational area. Performs competency assessment for moderate and/or high complexity testing of team members as assigned. Maintains a safe and clean working environment and responds immediately to safety violations.
• Employs good organizational talents and prioritizes tasks appropriately. Recognizes customer satisfaction issues and responds/escalates appropriately. Assumes responsibility for operation of the section in absence of supervisor. Instructs students, new team members, laboratory support staff, and hospital personnel in procedure, technique, and theory. May take part in the interview process of job applicants. Willingly performs and completes team assignments.
• Maintains open communication with laboratory leaders, pathologists, and fellow team members. Communicates pertinent information to other members of the healthcare team. Uses positive and professional interpersonal skills to educate/support laboratory customers.
• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education; accesses training needs and participates in Continuing Education (CE) programs annually. Completes all required 6 month and annual competencies in required time frame and performs proficiency testing as assigned.
• Supports Prisma Health system and campus financial, customer service, and quality initiatives in a positive and productive manner. Participates in work unit action plans and supports department-based goals and initiatives which contribute to the success of Prisma Health.
• Assists with competency assessment, quality control (reporting, review and new lot switches), maintenance, proficiency testing, AMR validation, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and other management duties as needed. Assures sufficient quantity of reagents and supplies and orders as needed. Assigns daily work assignments, performs LIS testing, reportable disease reporting. Writes procedures in accordance with Prisma Health Laboratory document control guidelines and procedure. Willingly and effectively takes responsibility to coordinate and implement special projects/tasks assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibility

• This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director, or executive.

Minimum Requirements

• Education - Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology. Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Physical/Biological/Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Technology from an accredited institution. ASCP or AMT certification preferred.
• Experience - Two (2) years of clinical laboratory experience

In Lieu Of

• Foreign degree that meets CLIA Testing Personnel Qualifications at the approval of the Administrative and Medical Director.
• Team members employed in this job prior to July 1, 2020, are grandfathered under prior educational and experience requirements. In addition, team members must be certification eligible and will have one year to obtain required certification.

Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses

• MT (ASCP) or MLS (ASCP)cm or Categorical (ASCP)or Categorical (ASCP)cm or MT (AMT) or MLT(ASCP) or MLT(ASCP)cm or MLT(AMT)
• State License as a Medical Laboratory Technician or Technologist (Required for team members working in Tennessee)

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Computer skills; Microsoft Word and Excel
• Leadership and interpersonal skills
• Able to communicates effectively in person, by phone, and in writing.
• Mathematical skills

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Location

Blount Memorial Hospital

Facility

Blount Memorial Hospital, Inc.

Department

Laboratory-Microbiology

Our vision is simple: to transform healthcare for the benefits of the communities we serve. The transformation of healthcare requires talented individuals in every role here at Prisma Health.