Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist

Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation; Tuba City (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation is seeking a Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist responsible for overseeing laboratory sections and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while maintaining a focus on quality patient care.

The ideal candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and have at least three years of experience in a clinical laboratory environment, showcasing excellent communication and technical skills.

This position involves working shifts in a 24-hour laboratory setting that offers various sub-specialties of service.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in laboratory, biological, chemical, or physical science, Healthcare or Healthcare Management.
• Three years of experience as a generalist in each specialty of clinical, high complexity testing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and quality assurance in laboratory.
• Maintain skills and knowledge for performing tests and preventive maintenance.
• Collaborate with laboratory and clinical staff for patient care.

Skills

Positive working relationships

Excellent communication skills

Moderate computer skills

Technical laboratory skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in laboratory or related field

Job description

Navajo Preference Employment Act

In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an affirmative action plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. Pursuant to this plan and corresponding policy, applicants who meet the necessary qualifications for this position and (1) are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position, (2) are legally married to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and meet residency requirements will be given secondary preference, and (3) are enrolled members of other federally‑recognized American Indian tribes will be given tertiary preference.

Overview

Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist are responsible for the oversight of assigned laboratory sections performing specimen processing, test performance and reporting test results in compliance with regulatory requirements, policy and procedures and the TCRHCC goal of quality patient care.

The position is located in a laboratory that provides sub‑specialties of service in a hospital setting; chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, phlebotomy, blood bank, microbiology, and clinical microscopy. The laboratory provides 24‑hour coverage and incumbent’s work rotational, day, evening, or night shifts, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime.

Initially trained to bench technologist functions then assigned to section(s) for lead duties.

Qualifications

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education

A Bachelor’s degree in laboratory, biological, chemical or physical science, Healthcare or Healthcare Management related field.

License/Certification

Current, unexpired Medical Laboratory Science, Technologist or Specialist certification from a nationally recognized certification agency.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience as generalist in each specialty of clinical, high complexity testing in a clinical laboratory.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Positive working relationships with others
• High ethical standards and no history of complaints
• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences
• Can work independently with little supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; capable of maintaining multiple communication channels
• Moderate computer skills and literacy for communication, records, forms, and ordering
• Able to respond appropriately in stressful situations
• Technical laboratory skills and understanding of how to operate complex equipment
• Completion of satisfactory scores on all job interviews, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the interviewers and TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers
• Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC
• Submission of all required employment‑related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading or incomplete information

Mental and Physical Effort

Physical

Requires dexterous skill; must be able to handle tools effectively such as needles and precise laboratory instruments. Possesses stamina to work on feet for long periods. Occasionally must be able to lift at least 30 pounds. Involves exposure to physical risks, such as working with chemicals, blood‑borne pathogens, pathogenic organisms, and operating laboratory equipment. This position requires prolonged standing, frequent sitting and walking, and occasional driving, bending, climbing, kneeling, crouching, twisting, reaching, and maintaining balance. Employee will occasionally be required to lift, push, or pull up to and over 100 pounds.

Mental

Must have good analytical judgment, ability to work under pressure, attention to detail and follow instructions in order to perform the correct tests or procedures. Possesses technical skills and understanding of how to operate complex machinery. Ability to prioritize and coordinate a variety of issues while being frequently interrupted. Must communicate effectively and with tact in stressful situations. This position requires prolonged ability to cope with a high level of stress, making decisions under high pressure, managing altercations, concentrating, a high degree of flexibility, handling multiple priorities in a stressful situation, working alone, a high level of patience, adapting to shift work, working in close & crowded areas, and coping with the anger/fear/hostility of others.

Environmental

Employee may have prolonged exposure to infectious disease, hazardous or moving equipment, loud noises, occasional exposure to extremes in temperature and humidity, and unprotected heights.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Serves as a member of the laboratory leadership team held to a higher expectation. Expected to display superior customer service, dedication, positive attitude, confidence, reliability and eagerness to take on responsibilities.
2. Follows the laboratory’s established policies, processes and procedures for specimen collection, handling and processing, test analysis, reporting, and maintaining records of patient results in all laboratory specialties.
3. Performs and documents corrective actions when test systems are not within the laboratory’s established acceptable levels of performance.
4. Reviews and verifies staff adherence to the laboratory’s quality assurance policies by performing and documenting all quality control activities, instrument verification and procedural calibrations, and instrument preventative maintenance. Utilizes statistical analysis skills to report instrument verification acceptance.
5. Performs proficiency testing and documents attestation that proficiency testing samples are tested according to protocol(s).
6. Maintains skills and knowledge required for performing test methods for proper instrument use, performing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and calibration procedures related to each test performed.
7. Recognizes factors that influence test results and skills required to assess and verify the validity of patient test results.
8. Maintains inventory control to assure adequate supplies and reagents needed for continuous laboratory operation(s).
9. Actively participates in the maintenance of laboratory accreditation by adhering to standards in safety, performance improvement, document control, quality assurance, proficiency and competency.
10. Develops and maintains a working relationship with the Medical and Nursing staff regarding the processing of specimens and evaluation and interpretation of results. Provides verbal consults in various aspects of the clinical laboratory.
11. Oversees the day‑to‑day work assignments of assigned laboratory personnel and ensures that workload is complete.
12. Develops, maintains and reviews assigned sections’ processes and procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analysis, reporting and maintaining patient result records.
13. Assigns proficiency testing to laboratory personnel and documents attestation that proficiency testing samples are tested according to protocol. Analyzes fallouts and reports corrective action to the laboratory quality coordinator.
14. Collaborates with laboratory leadership to evaluate, modify or adapt new methods or revise standard techniques to improve or expand services.
15. Collaborates with laboratory leadership and laboratory staff to evaluate, maintain and modify the section’s quality assurance program when indicated. Verifies new instruments and/or methods according to the laboratory’s quality assurance program. Defines tolerance limits utilizing statistical methods and effective quality control procedures.
16. Collaborates with laboratory leadership in strategizing fiscal budgets for assigned sections and assures compliance within the budgetary limitations. Evaluates new equipment, recommends and justifies the purchase of equipment and supplies.
17. Plans, implements, coordinates, and reviews the preventative maintenance programs, quality control programs, and troubleshooting processes for each instrument in their assigned sections.
18. Ensures assigned proficiency testing is completed and submitted to the QA coordinator in a timely manner. Collaborates and analyzes corrective action as needed for any testing shifts or fall‑outs.
19. Instrumental in completing training and competency of testing personnel rotating through assigned sections.
20. Co-ordinates laboratory training for non‑laboratory personnel or affiliate student programs.
21. Collaborates in coordinating meetings with fellow section leaders to communicate improved patient care.
22. Collaborates with laboratory leadership and the clinical care team to communicate pertinent information, changes, and new services.
23. Responsible for electronic health records data entry pertinent to patient service role.
24. Instrumental in collaboration with laboratory leadership team to update laboratory policies, processes, and procedures.
25. Collaborates and reports to the laboratory leadership team of any need for reviewing and investigating staff occurrence reports, customer complaints, work in accordance with involved personnel to develop solutions and implement corrective action.
26. Supports performance improvement initiatives and is instrumental in carrying necessary tasks as directed by the Director of Laboratory Services, Assistant Director of Laboratory Services and quality section coordinator.
27. Participates in departmental workflow and/or testing teams as related to electronic health record or other project initiatives.
28. Ensures proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn at all times while on duty including but not limited to face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH‑approved N95 filtering face piece respirator or higher, and eye or face shield.
29. Completes all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discards used PPE accordingly. (See CDC website for most current updates)
30. Performs task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee and external customer satisfaction.
31. Performs other job‑related duties as assigned.