Medical Lab Scientist (KAL)

Beacon Health System; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Beacon Health System in Kalamazoo, MI seeks a Medical Laboratory Scientist to perform waived, moderate-, and high-complexity tests in assigned sections, following approved procedures and quality standards. The role involves evaluating specimens, instruments, and results, and escalating issues as needed, to support accurate patient diagnosis and care.

The candidate will maintain records, participate in quality initiatives, and provide guidance to staff while adhering to safety and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or related field from an accredited institution.
• Meets CLIA qualifications for moderate- and high-complexity testing.
• ASCP or equivalent certification required at hire or within 1 year of hire/graduation.

Responsibilities

• Performs assigned laboratory tests and reports results according to procedures.
• Assesses specimen acceptability and handles collection, accessioning, processing, and transport as assigned.
• Recognizes critical results and communicates them per policy.
• Performs quality control, calibration, maintenance, and proficiency testing; escalates issues as needed.
• Operates instruments and information systems; troubleshoots and coordinates service as needed.
• Maintains records, logs, and documentation in accordance with privacy and data-integrity requirements.
• Trains and supports new associates and serves as a technical resource.

Skills

Clinical laboratory principles

Troubleshooting data

Communication

Documentation

Quality systems

Conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or related field

Tools

Laboratory information systems

Job description

Independently performs waived, moderate-complexity, and high-complexity clinical laboratory testing within assigned sections in accordance with approved procedures, quality standards, and applicable regulatory requirements. Evaluates specimen integrity, quality control data, instrumentation, and patient results; identifies conditions that may affect accuracy or timeliness; and uses technical knowledge, judgment, and established escalation pathways to resolve problems. Provides accurate and timely information that supports diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Performs assigned laboratory tests, calculations, and analyses; verifies, documents, and reports results according to approved procedures and defined acceptance criteria.
• Assesses specimen acceptability and performs or supports specimen collection, identification, accessioning, processing, storage, transport, and referral testing as assigned.
• Recognizes critical, abnormal, inconsistent, or potentially erroneous results; initiates repeat, confirmatory, or corrective steps within scope; and promptly communicates critical results to authorized individuals according to policy.
• Performs and documents quality control, quality assurance, calibration, maintenance, proficiency testing, and performance checks. Evaluates data, identifies trends or failures, takes corrective action within scope, and escalates unresolved issues.
• Operates laboratory instruments and information systems; performs troubleshooting and coordinates service when needed to maintain safe, accurate, and timely testing.
• Identifies pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical problems that may affect results; investigates, documents, resolves, or escalates concerns before reporting patient results.
• Maintains complete and accurate records, logs, worksheets, and electronic documentation in accordance with retention, privacy, and data-integrity requirements.
• Maintains reagents, supplies, inventory, and storage conditions; prepares materials and places or communicates orders as assigned.
• Provides technical information regarding tests, specimen requirements, limitations, and results to physicians and other authorized individuals while remaining within professional scope.
• Trains and supports new associates, students, and other staff in approved procedures; participates in competency activities and serves as a technical resource as assigned.
• Follows infection-prevention, bloodborne-pathogen, chemical-hygiene, hazardous-waste, shipping, ergonomics, and personal protective equipment requirements. Maintains a clean and safe work environment and responds appropriately to spills and exposures.
• Participates in process improvement, quality initiatives, committees, continuing education, and special projects. Maintains required annual education and competencies.
• Supports department operations across shifts, sections, or sites as assigned, including phlebotomy and other specimen-collection duties when trained and authorized.
• Performs other job-related duties within qualifications and training as assigned.

Organizational Responsibilities

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or chemical, biological, or related laboratory science from an accredited institution.
• Meets current CLIA qualifications for both moderate- and high-complexity testing personnel before independently testing patient specimens.
• Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist certification from ASCP Board of Certification or another organization accepted by the employer is required at hire or within one year of hire or graduation, unless a different timeframe is approved by Human Resources and Laboratory Leadership. Certification must be maintained thereafter. Failure to obtain or maintain certification within the required timeframe may result in corrective action or reclassification per organizational policy.
• Meets applicable CLIA qualifications and performs testing-personnel responsibilities for moderate- and high-complexity testing under 42 CFR Part 493.
• When formally assigned and independently qualified, may perform the duties of a Technical Consultant, General Supervisor, or Technical Supervisor in accordance with the applicable CLIA requirements, laboratory scope, and written delegation. Assignment of these duties is not automatic based on the MLS title.
• Maintains all licenses, certifications, education, training, and competency documentation required by law, accreditation standards, organizational policy, and assigned testing.
• Current state or local license or permit when required by the jurisdiction or assigned work location.
• One year of related clinical laboratory experience preferred; qualified new graduates may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of clinical laboratory principles, methods, instrumentation, quality systems, specimen requirements, and factors that influence test results.
• Ability to evaluate data, verify result validity, prioritize workload, troubleshoot systematically, and make sound decisions within established procedures and professional scope.
• Proficiency with laboratory information systems, electronic health records, instrument software, computers, and standard workplace applications.
• Clear written and verbal communication and the ability to collaborate effectively with patients, providers, colleagues, students, and other customers.
• Ability to work accurately in a fast-paced, quality-focused environment with changing priorities, interruptions, deadlines, and urgent patient-care needs.
• Commitment to confidentiality, service, continuous improvement, teamwork, and professional conduct.

Working Conditions

• Works in a clinical laboratory environment with potential exposure to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, human specimens, hazardous chemicals, biological materials, and other conditions typical of laboratory operations.
• Requires use of personal protective equipment and consistent compliance with established safety, infection prevention, chemical hygiene, and hazardous waste procedures.
• May require varied shifts, weekends, holidays, on-call coverage, or work across assigned laboratory areas based on operational needs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; sit, reach, bend, and perform repetitive tasks; and use hands and fingers for precise manipulation and eye-hand coordination.
• Ability to communicate clearly and use near and far visual acuity, depth perception, and color discrimination as required for assigned testing, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 35 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation, and to comply with safe-handling practices.