Medical Lab Scientist

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium; Sitka (AK); On-site; USD 81,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

retirement

paid time off

health insurance

dental

vision benefits

life insurance

disability coverage

Job summary

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium in Sitka is seeking a Medical Laboratory Scientist to provide the full range of laboratory analyses in a hospital-based setting. You will support 24/7 lab coverage, including nights and weekends, handling CLIA high complexity testing across age groups.

Requirements include a Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology and national certification (ASCP/AMT) with at least one year of clinical lab experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or related field.
• ASCP/AMT or equivalent certification required.
• Clinical competency within 3 months of hire and every three years.
• One year of progressive clinical lab experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform all levels of testing including CLIA high complexity testing.
• Evaluate and interpret test results with accuracy.
• Maintain quality control and instrument functionality.
• Provide LIS consultation and educate staff in laboratory practices.
• Prepare for regulatory inspections and ensure inventory levels.

Skills

Laboratory testing

Quality control

LIS operation

Regulatory knowledge

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

LIS software

Laboratory equipment

Job description

Pay Range: $38.93 - $54.76. Under minimal supervision, applies advanced technical skills and seasoned judgment to provide a full range of sample test analyses and laboratory services independently and competently in a hospital-based laboratory. Shift work and night and weekend call are required to provide 24-hour laboratory coverage in Sitka/WMC. Perform all levels of testing including CLIA defined high complexity testing. Works with infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. The work typically involves full responsibility for all technical aspects of the laboratory and includes a wide variety of duties involving diverse and complex technical problems and considerations, i.e., procuring compatible, lifesaving units of blood for a patient with antibodies. Assignments involve such complicating factors as practical, economic, or operating problems; inadequate or discrepant information about the use and capabilities of new instruments or methodologies; or requests for modified procedures, test alternative, or special studies to meet specific clinical situation. Decisions directly or indirectly affect the quality of patient care and can be “life or death” decisions or problems. Writes procedures for department of responsibility using the CLSI format, and coordinates procedure manual review, updates, and distribution. Establishes a quality control program appropriate for the testing performed in department of responsibility, establishing parameters for acceptable levels of analytical performance, ensuring that these levels are maintained throughout the entire testing process from the initial receipt of specimen through sample analysis and reporting of results. Resolves technical problems and ensures that remedial actions are taken whenever test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications. Ensures that proper training is given to new employees during the orientation period and that regular training is given to all technologists when there are changes in their department. Assists the laboratory manager with evaluating the competency of all testing personnel. Assists the laboratory manager with Process Improvement activities associated with their departments. Understands and assists the laboratory manager with implementing CAP standards and CLIA regulations in their department of responsibility. Coordinates inventory levels with laboratory manager to maintain proper supply levels.

Benefits

• We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions and Accountabilities of the Job

• Perform all levels of testing including CLIA defined high complexity testing and laboratory services.
• Evaluates, judges, and interprets test results and ensures accuracy.
• Identifies and resolves inconsistencies in patient results and works with MLTs and LST to troubleshoot problems.
• Provides specialized expertise in microbiology, transfusion medicine, molecular biology, and infectious disease safety.
• Performs patient specimen testing.
• Ensures sample suitability.
• Provide limited test utilization and interpretation information to medical staff and nursing and refers advanced clinical questions to Laboratory Medical Director.
• Provide LIS consultation to all SEARHC staff.
• Educate SEARHC staff in acceptable practices of laboratory medicine.
• Maintains laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Ensures quality control and functionality of instruments.
• Reviews LJ charts and submits data to Laboratory Manager and the peer.
• Works with the Laboratory Manager to ensure quality measures are met and writes policies and procedures.
• Prepares lab for inspection from regulatory institutions.
• With Direction from the Laboratory Manager reviews the work of MLT’s and LST’s to ensure accuracy and assigns tasks.
• Trains new employees, staff, and laboratory students.
• Participates in continuing education programs.
• Ensures that adequate levels of inventory are maintained.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• A Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or related field.
• Progressively responsible work-related experience, education, or training may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for college education.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Medical Technologist (ASCP) OR Clinical Laboratory Scientist (AMT) OR equivalent certification (as determined by a national credential certification agency).
• Clinical Competency required within 3 months of hire and every three years.

Experience Required

• One (1) year of progressive clinical experience or one (1) year of hospital internship subsequent to degree.
• Knowledge of all levels of laboratory testing including CLIA defined high complexity testing.
• Knowledge of LIS operation the ability to utilize a variety of laboratory and other software applications.
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment use and operations.
• Knowledge of all aspects of quality control.
• Knowledge CLIA, Joint Commission, CAP, and other regulatory requirements.

Skills in

• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other employees and subordinates.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Ability to interpret laboratory reports and quality control results for accuracy and to trouble shoot problem.
• Ability to performs patient specimen testing and ensure sample suitability with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to work independently to assess validity of lab results before release to providers.
• Ability in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other employees and subordinates and to keep self and others on task.
• Ability to train staff and maintain necessary continuing education.

Required Certifications:

• American Medical Technologists - American Medical Technologists.
• Clinical Competency Assessment - SEARHC.
• Medical Lab Scientist (ASCP) - American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!

We Want You to Join our Team Southeast Alaska is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, proudest Native cultures, and thriving pioneer spirits. SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) helps to keep it healthy. Every career with SEARHC comes with a positive work culture, a team with shared values, and competitive benefits.

SEARHC offers sign-on bonuses for Registered Nurses, Hot Jobs and Certified Nurses Assistants.

At SEARHC, we are passionate about enhancing the health and wellbeing of our team as well as the communities we serve. We Embody our Values: Respect Cultural Identity Service Professionalism Compassion