Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead

St Michael Medical Center; Silverdale (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Washington state seeks a Medical Lab Scientist to perform complex tests across hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and more, ensuring accurate and timely results for patient care.

You will operate and maintain instruments, perform quality control, interpret results, and collaborate with clinicians while adhering to regulatory standards and safety practices. On some shifts, you may lead the laboratory team to coordinate workflow and coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in biology or chemistry as defined by CLIA, required on hire.
• 1-3 years of work experience in a clinical laboratory setting, required on hire.

Responsibilities

• Performs and reports waived, moderately complex, and highly complex test procedures on patient specimens following SOPs to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Maintains and troubleshoots major automated equipment; coordinates calibration and quality control procedures and records.
• Participates in validation of new procedures and equipment; contributes to continuing education and training of staff.
• Manages inventory and supplies, ensures shift staffing coverage, and communicates with supervisors as needed.
• Adheres to regulatory requirements and professional conduct; serves as a liaison with physicians and hospital staff.

Education

Bachelor of Science in biology or chemistry (CLIA defined)

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Medical Lab Scientist, you will be a critical diagnostic expert, performing complex laboratory tests to ensure accurate, timely results vital for patient diagnosis and treatment.

Every day, you will execute a wide range of analytical procedures across various lab disciplines (hematology, chemistry, microbiology, etc.). You'll analyze specimens, operate/maintain instruments, interpret results, and conduct quality control, providing crucial data for clinical decisions.

To be successful in this role, you must demonstrate a strong scientific foundation, advanced technical proficiency, exceptional problem-solving skills, and meticulous attention to detail. Your paramount commitment will be to accuracy and regulatory adherence.

On a shift basis, and in the absence of a lab supervisor, Med Lab Scientist II, lab manager or lab director, may be assigned responsibility for serving as a Med Technologist Lead. In this role, an incumbent is responsible for ensuring that the Lab is adequately staffed for the assigned shift and that work is conducted in accordance with established policies, procedures and quality/safety standards. Contacts manager as necessary to resolve issues beyond scope of responsibility.

• Performs and reports waived, moderately complex, and highly complex test procedures on patient specimens adhering to the Section’s Standard Operating Procedures to ensure accurate and timely reporting Provides excellent patient care through clinical correlation of results, identification of patterns of bias, rapid notification of appropriate caregivers of critical values, and completion of testing within established turn-around-time limits
• Ensures that major automated equipment is operational by performing required maintenance, calibration and troubleshooting procedures; including contacting of instrument vendor for assistance or repair. Performs required calibration and quality control procedures and maintains records to ensure tests are being performed within established parameters. Performs proficiency testing as assigned and review results with laboratory clinical leaders
• Assists in evaluation and generation of compliant documentation for the validation of new procedures and equipment to provide the physician with the most current laboratory technology. Participates in opportunities for continuing education and/or teaching, training according to the Section Performance Standards to enhance technical skills of students, trainees, coworkers, and self Responsible for inventory of supplies, including providing assistance with monitoring supplies, ordering, and placing received supplies into storage Completes all work and resolves or appropriately passes ongoing issues to incoming staff within the scheduled shift.
• As a representative of CommonSpirit Health, utilizes professionalism and HumanKindness while communicating with physicians, hospital staff, patients, coworkers, other stakeholders in laboratory operations, and all members of the general public, whether in email, instant messaging, telephone, or face-to-face interactions Adheres to all regulatory requirements
• Operational Oversight: Manages daily workflow, ensuring adequate staffing and adherence to lab protocols. Conducts shift start-up assessments of equipment, workload, and coverage. Monitors staff breaks and addresses workflow bottlenecks. Notifies supervisors of critical staffing issues that cannot be resolved.
• Client & Staff Communication: Serves as the primary point of contact for client inquiries (physicians, nurses, etc.), resolving issues within established guidelines. Escalates unresolved issues to management. Provides technical support and troubleshooting assistance to staff.

Job Requirements

Required

• Bachelors Of Science in a biological or chemical science as defined by CLIA., upon hire and
• 1-3 years of work experience in a clinical laboratory setting., upon hire

Preferred

• International Medical Laboratory Scientist, upon hire or
• Blood Banking, upon hire or
• Chemistry - ASCP, upon hire or
• Clinical Laboratory Scientist, upon hire or
• Clinical Laboratory Technologist, upon hire or
• Technologist in Molecular Biology, upon hire or
• Medical Laboratory Scientist - Med Technologist, upon hire or
• Medical Technologist AAB, upon hire or
• Technologist in Microbiology, upon hire or
• Medical Technologist AMT, upon hire or
• Specialist in Hematology, upon hire or
• Specialist in Microbiology, upon hire or
• Med Technologist - ASCP, upon hire or
• Histotechnologist, upon hire

Where You'll Work

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.

Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.

Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.

We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.