Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead, UWMC Northwest Lab

University of Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Transit pass

Tuition exemption

Job summary

University of Washington Medicine’s Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology in Seattle seeks a Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead for the UW Medicine Northwest Laboratory. The role involves overseeing testing across multiple sections, ensuring quality control, and mentoring staff.

Night shift, 100% FTE, with salary range posted and comprehensive benefits. The MLS Lead will validate results, manage middleware workflows, and coordinate instrument validation and QA activities, while supporting

Qualifications

• Accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science OR equivalent education/experience
• Medical Laboratory Science certification with ASCP or equivalent
• Three (3) years of professional experience including one (1) year as a Medical Laboratory Scientist 2 or equivalent

Responsibilities

• Perform testing across Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Microbiology and Urinalysis.
• Validate results and communicate critical findings to clinical providers.
• Triage samples and interpret middleware flags; ensure reportability of results.
• Enter QC results and maintain quality control documentation.
• Assist in validation of new instrumentation and assays.
• Train students and new staff in bench tasks.
• Maintain and troubleshoot automated analyzers and LIS interfaces.

Skills

Quality control

Troubleshooting

Instrument maintenance

Team training

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science

ASCP Certification or equivalent

3 years professional experience incl. MLS-2

Tools

LIS experience

Job description

Job Description

Who we’re looking for:

The UW Medicine - Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (DLMP) in Seattle, WA has a fantastic opportunity for a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Lead with the University of Washington Medical Center Northwest Laboratory.

Work schedule:

• 100% FTE
• Work Schedule to be discussed to hiring manager
• Night shift

What you’ll contribute:

• Perform testing in Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Microbiology, and Urinalysis. This includes running various sample types, performing dilutions/neutralizations/ultracentrifugation, or other sample alterations to improve test reliability.
• Understand the reportable ranges for each test and what to do when the results are outside of the reportable range or require other interventions.
• Recognize critical and other urgent results that may need to be called to a clinical provider. Demonstrate the ability to communicate these results to the appropriate provider in the expected timeframe and to note these communications in the Lab Information System. Obtain a ‘read-back’ or comment on the reason for no readback for review by departmental or QA management.
• Run and evaluate quality control for all applicable tests according to standard operating procedures. Enter QC results in the Laboratory Information System or applicable QC monitoring system.
• Perform Quality Assurance tasks as assigned.
• Organize and perform the validation of research samples when appropriate.
• Perform carryover studies, where applicable.
• Organize and perform validation of new instrumentation and assays.
• Perform maintenance procedures for all benches.
• Triage samples appropriately in middleware programs. Understand middleware flagging and when samples may require further intervention. Determine when results are reportable.
• Validate results from middleware programs.
• Perform manual testing for each section of reporting via the middleware into the LIS. Manual testing is not limited to but includes manual differentials and urine microscopic examinations, gram staining and slide interpretations, body fluid counts and analysis, manual hematocrit testing, kit testing for pregnancy, occult blood, mononucleosis, HIV Antigen/Antibody testing, Fetal Fibronectin and Rapid Strep. The technologist can make and analyze cytospin preparations.
• Differentiate normal and abnormal cell morphology. Identify and differentiate WBCs and nucleated cells, crystals, casts, and other urine elements.
• Distinguishes various elements on microbiology smears (bacteria, fungus, parasites, foreign material) using microscopes.
• Train students and new employees in performing the tasks assigned for each bench.
• Perform reagent replenishment on the various automated analyzers and manual testing methods as needed. The technologist understands the proper documentation and sequence for reagent utilization and will initiate requests for new reagents or kits as needed.
• Perform inventory in assigned areas. Unpack, label, and put away supplies, taking care to rotate stock as needed. Identifies when reagents are low and act to borrow reagents or alert a Manager of critical supply shortages.
• Calculate concentrations, prepare, verify, and document the making of reagents, controls, and standards, updating instruments with new lot parameters if appropriate.
• Perform maintenance procedures on the automated analyzers in the sections for which they are trained.
• Troubleshoot technical issues as they arise and follow up with the departmental Manager as necessary.
• Retrieve samples, slides, reagents, or any testing materials needed for review, from storage when requested
• Cancel and credit results as needed, notify providers of canceled tests, and enter requests for additional testing as needed.
• Recognize and manage mislabeled specimens.
• Recognize situations when Lab Medical Resident (LMR) consultation may be required and reach out when appropriate.
• Be proficient in transfusion medicine electronic lab information systems.
• Process transfusion medicine specimens.
• Monitor the temperature of blood component storage devices.
• Perform maintenance and troubleshooting on all transfusion related equipment including but not limited to the primary and backup storage devices.
• Retrieve, tag, and release blood components.
• Process components appropriately, including but not limited to thawing.
• Return units to inventory and quarantine components and return components to the Montlake campus, where applicable.
• Respond to transfusion emergencies in a calm and organized manner, expediting provision of products efficiently with thorough and complete documentation.
• Troubleshoot issues and organize data for clinical teams regarding status of blood component readiness, turnaround expectations and review of components transfused.
• Work as a member of a team, helping other colleagues as needed, and demonstrating the ability to ask others when they need assistance.
• Work to maintain an effective and positive work environment, both internally and externally, with members of other clinical teams that may interface with lab.
• The technologist demonstrates knowledge of laboratory safety and consistently complies with wearing appropriate PPE in the laboratory area while handling hazardous chemicals according to the SOPs. All hazardous chemical waste and biohazardous waste are discarded according to the SOPs.
• Rotate and maintain competency in all assigned departments where they have been trained as well as in the LIS (Laboratory Information System).
• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills when challenging situations arise. Act as a resource for students, trainees, MLS1, and MLS2 staff.
• Provide performance peer review feedback. Coordinate educational programs, and reviews competency materials to help support retraining and competency initiatives.
• Provide procedure, workflow, and competency feedback to staff, which may include review of deficiencies in process, discussion on importance and best practice, and retraining of processes for competency.
• Write and edit procedures as needed.
• Work with departmental managers on higher level tasks which include, but are not limited to:
  • Monthly QC reviews, new lot verifications, safety and QA assignments, competency development, AMR Studies, linearity studies, LIS Testing and Biannual CAP/CMS requirements.
• Organize and orchestrate monitoring and identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Assist in preparing the laboratory for CAP inspections.
• Assist in documentation and follow up on CAP proficiency testing failures.
• Act as a resource for new employees, medical laboratory scientist program students, residents and post-doctoral fellows.

What you’ll need:

• Accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science OR equivalent education/experience

AND

• Medical Laboratory Science certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology or equivalent, or certification with a specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division

AND

• Three (3) years of professional experience including one (1) year as a Medical Laboratory Scientist 2 or equivalent.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

What we offer:

• Vacation time and sick time off that accrue monthly, including 12 paid holidays.
• State Employee Tuition Exemption Program covering up to 6 credits of qualifying coursework per quarter at the University of Washington or other participating colleges or universities.
• Fully subsidized public transit pass (U-PASS) that covers multiple forms of public transportation in the region.
• Excellent healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options.
• Lots of free fantastic fitness, healthy eating, finance, and stress reduction classes offered through the Whole U.
• And much more!

About the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology:

A regional resource for clinical laboratory services required for innovative patient care, research and educational programs, the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at UW Medicine combines the sophisticated testing and informatics capabilities of fully accredited laboratories with the resources of an academic institution in its delivery of clinical and anatomic pathology services. Recognized for excellence in clinical training, world‑class research initiatives, and a commitment to community service, we serve labs and medical facilities both nationally and internationally.

About UW Medicine:

UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top‑rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals.

All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that include Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, Valley Medical Center, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.

Please visit our website to learn more about our department.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$46.90 hourly

Pay Range Maximum:

$68.19 hourly

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

Night Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

SEIU 1199NW UWMC Northwest Professional

ABOUT UW MEDICINE – WHERE YOUR IMPACT GOES FURTHER

UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top‑rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the publicby advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians,scientistsand other health professionals.

All acrossUW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family,studentand colleague is valued and honored.Nearly 29,000healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that include: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail].

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.