Medical Lab Scientist 2- Microbiology

Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Vanderbilt (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is seeking a Microbiologist for the 1st shift in our state-of-the-art Clinical Microbiology Laboratory. You will perform routine and complex microbiology testing, including mycology and acid-fast bacilli, leveraging WASPLab automation to ensure accurate and timely results.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team to support infectious disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, while maintaining quality assurance and regulatory compliance across all

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a clinical laboratory science or related field.
• Experience in clinical microbiology testing is preferred.
• Familiarity with regulatory and quality assurance standards.
• Ability to perform culture reading and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Responsibilities

• Provides patient-focused care in a clinical setting through microbiology testing across pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic stages.
• Performs qualitative and quantitative analyses with appropriate QC and required protocols.
• Demonstrates knowledge of techniques, principles, and instruments affecting test results.
• Collaborates with medical directors, lab staff, and other health professionals to support high-quality patient care.

Skills

Data Analysis

Quality Assurance

Equipment Maintenance

Diagnostic Testing

Mentoring & Coaching

Education

Bachelor's (Required)

Tools

WASPLab automation system

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

Microbiology - 1st Shift

Job Summary:

A newly built, state of the art Clinical Microbiology Laboratory performing all aspects of microbiology testing, including fully developed Mycology and Acid Fast Bacilli departments. Routine culture reading occurs across multiple shifts using our WASPLab automation system. This position performs routine and complex clinical microbiology testing on patient specimens to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. This position is responsible for specimen processing, organism identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and timely reporting of accurate laboratory results. The Microbiologist works collaboratively with the medical directors, laboratory team members, and other healthcare professionals to support high-quality patient care.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides patient-focused care in a clinical setting through the accurate performance of routine and complex tests through the pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic stages.
• Performs qualitative and quantitative analytical procedures, including reagent preparation and appropriate quality control, according to required protocols, with precision and accuracy in a timely and efficient manner.
• Demonstrates knowledge of techniques, principles, and instruments and their interrelationships as well as physiological conditions affecting test results.
• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

Technical Capabilities

• Data Analysis (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate data analysis in practical data analysis applications of moderate difficulty. Navigates within established technology environments to locate, validate, extract, and format data for data analysis. Able to modify and run queries and standard reports from data tools and provide to users. Can identify data values and data sources. Is familiar with data modeling. Is able to interview business customers to elicit data requirements and understand the relationships between data items.
• Quality Assurance (Novice): Has provided continuous analysis and evaluation of assignment work processes, constantly striving for improvement in the way tasks and activities are accomplished by questioning their value to the process and contributing creative solutions. Has participated in the process of establishing, communicating and monitoring standards for quality and excellence. Demonstrates the ability to actually work on and improve a current business process, product or service.
• Equipment Maintenance (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate the ability to maintain equipment, products, or systems in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Assures that parts inventory is sufficient.
• Diagnostic Testing (Novice): Demonstrates proficiency of diagnostic testing in practical applications. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering results.
• Mentoring & Coaching (Novice): Constructively trains and mentors others by providing positive direction and feedback. Has provided constructive suggestions to improve a situation. Knows how to remove roadblocks to success and avoids judgments at all times. Makes a concerted effort to pass on experiences and job information that can be learned easily.

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South.

Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

Core Accountabilities

Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapt...

Position Qualifications

Certifications

• LIC-Medical Laboratory Act - Tennessee
• Medical Laboratory Scientist - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• Medical Technologist - American Medical Technologists (AMT)

Work Experience

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level

Less than 1 year

Education

Bachelor's (Required)

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.