Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) | Temporary

Sioux Center Health; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 40,294 - 60,614; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO available day 1

Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement

Career development through training and mentorship

Job summary

Sioux Center Health is seeking candidates for a Temporary Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) position, supporting the EMR transition for Avera McKennan Hospital. This full-time role will provide vital support during a 18-month project and aims for transition into a permanent position thereafter.

The ideal candidate will have relevant degrees and certifications in Medical Laboratory Science or Technology. Responsibilities include supporting laboratory operations, testing and validation activities, and collaborating with other departments to enhance service efficiency.

Qualifications

• MLS - American Medical Technologists (AMT) certification required within 1 Year.
• MLS - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification required within 1 Year.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory EMR transition through validation and testing.
• Collaborate with leadership and informatics for accurate workflow.
• Develop and update laboratory SOPs based on compliance.

Skills

Medical or Clinical Laboratory Science

Quality Assurance

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Transcript in Medical or Clinical Laboratory Science

Bachelor's Transcript in Medical Technology

Job description

Location: Avera McKennan Hospital

Worker Type: Temporary

Work Shift: Rotating days/evenings/nights/weekends/holidays (United States of America)

Pay Range: $29.25 - $44.00 per hour, actual pay dependent upon experience

Position Overview

Full–time temporary MLS position supporting Avera McKennan Hospital’s EPIC transition. Project approximately 18 months with goal to transition to full‑time regular MLS role after completion.

Responsibilities

• Supports the laboratory during Avera’s enterprise EMR transition through validation, workflow testing, and go‑live readiness activities while maintaining safe, compliant laboratory operations.
• Participates in system testing and validation efforts to ensure laboratory orders, results, reference ranges, and workflows function accurately and reliably.
• Collaborates with laboratory leadership, informatics partners, and technical teams to identify issues, support corrective action, and promote consistent laboratory processes.
• Develops, reviews, and updates laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs), job aids, and supporting documentation to align with updated workflows and compliance requirements.
• Supports education and training efforts for laboratory staff, including readiness activities related to new workflows, process changes, and go‑live preparation.
• Assists with go‑live and post go‑live stabilization support including workflow optimization, defect tracking, quality monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Applies quality assurance and compliance principles to ensure laboratory processes meet organizational standards, regulatory expectations, and patient safety requirements.
• Responsible for the day‑to‑day operations of laboratory instrumentation or disciplines including but not limited to: supply inventory, quality control, calibration, reagent preparation, etc. Initiates and follows through with corrective action.
• Accurately performs basic to complex clinical laboratory tests utilizing theoretical knowledge and independent judgment in addition to established protocol, techniques and equipment manuals.
• Assumes responsibility for distinguishing between normal and abnormal clinical laboratory parameters and takes actions to assure all abnormals are rechecked. Alerts appropriate staff for abnormal results and documents these actions.
• Communicates laboratory data and pertinent technical information to appropriate departments and individuals in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Critiques, correlates and differentiates results of tests utilizing theoretical knowledge and independent judgment in addition to established protocol, techniques and equipment manuals.
• Participates with development of protocols, lab manuals, new instrumentation, lab CQI or other laboratory developmental activities.
• Provides technical guidance to and be primary resource for various team members. Responsible for training new employees or co‑workers on new equipment/procedures as applicable.
• Provides instructions on proper pre‑analytical specimen collection, specimen handling, and storage guidelines for various body fluids and/or may collect specimens as necessary.

Qualifications / Education

• Bachelor’s Transcript showing Medical or Clinical Laboratory Science Degree, or a Clinical, Physical, or Biological Science Degree.
• Bachelor’s Transcript showing Medical Technology Degree.
• MLS - American Medical Technologists (AMT) within 1 Year.
• MLS - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) within 1 Year.
• Bachelor's Transcript showing Medical Laboratory Scientist degree, or a related chemical, physical or biological degree.
• Bachelor's Transcript showing Medical Technology degree.

Essential Qualifications

The individual must be able to work the hours specified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily, including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.

Expectations and Standards

• Commitment to the daily application of Avera’s mission, vision, core values, and social principles to serve patients, their families, and our community.
• Promote Avera’s values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship.
• Uphold Avera’s standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating workflow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.
• Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with, but not limited to, CMS, The Joint Commission, DHHS, and OSHA if applicable.

Benefits

• PTO available day 1 for eligible hires.
• Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement.
• Career development guided by hands‑on training and mentorship.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Avera is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, Veteran Status, or other categories protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-605-504-4444 or send an email to [e-mail].