Medical Laboratory Scientist or Technician

St. Charles Health System; Prineville (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Charles Health System seeks a Medical Laboratory Scientist to perform and interpret clinical laboratory testing across various specimen types, with no direct supervisory responsibilities.

The role requires a degree in lab science and national certification or eligibility within eight weeks of hire; employment emphasizes safety, quality control and collaboration with clinicians to ensure accurate results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science from an accredited college or university.
• Current national certification or licensure at the Technologist/Scientist level by ASCP, AMT, AAB, HEW or California DHS; MLS/MT/BB/H/ASCP variants are acceptable.
• Eligible to obtain required certification within eight weeks of hire and work under supervision during the interim.
• Previous Medical Laboratory Scientist experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs laboratory analysis of human specimens per lab policies and quality standards.
• Documents results in the Laboratory Information System.
• Recognizes and reports critical test results promptly.
• Performs quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing and calibration procedures.
• Maintains instrument calibration, performs maintenance and troubleshooting of analytic systems.
• Reviews test results prior to release and addresses any suspect results.
• Handles specimens safely and adheres to regulatory requirements.
• Collaborates with clinicians to interpret results and identify potential interferences.

Skills

Quality control

Clinical testing

Collaborative work

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/Doctoral in lab science

Tools

LIS

Analytical instruments

Job description

The Medical Laboratory Scientist at St. Charles Health System performs, interprets and reports clinical laboratory testing on a variety of human biological specimen types. This position does not directly manage other caregivers, however may be asked to review and provide feedback on the work of other caregivers.

Essential Functions And Duties

Performs laboratory analysis of human biological specimens submitted for testing in accordance with laboratory policies, procedures and quality standards. Accurately documents results into the Laboratory Information System. Recognizes reports and documents critical test results in a timely manner.

Ensures that specimens for analysis are appropriate and adequate to provide meaningful results. Recognizes when specimen condition or adequacy may impact test results and exercises professional judgment to reject, request recollection, consult with ordering provider, or perform testing with appended warning comments.

Performs, evaluates and documents quality control, quality assurance, proficiency testing and calibration procedures according to laboratory policies and procedures. Performs additional quality assurance activities when professional judgment identifies a need to confirm the accuracy and/or quality of test results.

Ensures that analytic instruments are properly calibrated and maintained. Performs and documents cleaning, maintenance and troubleshooting of analytic instruments and test systems. Recognizes when a test system is operating in a manner that may compromise the quality or accuracy of testing results and takes appropriate remedial actions.

Reviews and evaluates test results prior to release. Recognizes suspect results based upon laboratory defined criteria, system appended alerts, inconsistency with previous results, inconsistency with patient age/medical condition, or professional judgment.

Takes appropriate remedial steps to ensure the accuracy of suspect results.

Performs all specimen handling, specimen manipulation, reagent preparation, test system maintenance, chemical/biologics handling and testing procedures in a manner that ensures the safety of self and others.

Appropriately refers issues beyond scope of practice to a discipline/sub discipline specialist, supervisor or pathologist.

Performs all duties in a professional and ethical manner and in accordance with all regulatory requirements.

Obtains blood samples via arterial, venous or capillary puncture according to laboratory policies and procedures (site dependent duty).

Within credentialed scope of practice, serves as a resource to medical providers assisting with the selection of appropriate testing, specimen collection and handling, and interpretation of test results.

Consults with clinicians and colleagues in the investigation and identification of possible sources of error or interferences that may impact test performance or compromise test results.

For those disciplines or sub disciplines in which a specialist credential is held, serves as an expert resource to laboratory colleagues, clinicians, and other health care professionals.

Consults and collaborates with professional colleagues to identify and remediate process issues. Participates in efforts to identify opportunities to continuously improve laboratory procedures, processes and services.

Leads or assists in the research, development, evaluation, validation, documentation and implementation of new, improved or expanded testing services.

Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate.

Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports Value Improvement Practice (VIP- Lean) principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

Education

Required: Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science from an accredited college or university.

Preferred: N/A

Licensure/Certification/Registration

Required: Current national certification or licensure at the Technologist/Scientist level by one or more of the following accredited credentialing agencies: ASCP, AMT, AAB, HEW and California Department of Health Services. Acceptable credentials: MLS (ASCP), MT (ASCP), BB (ASCP), H (ASCP), C (ASCP), M (ASCP), MB (ASCP), SBB (ASCP), SC (ASCP) , SM (ASCP), SI (ASCP), SCYM (ASCP), MT (AMT), MT (HEW), MT (AAB), CLS.

OR Eligible to obtain required certification or licensure within eight (8) weeks of hire. During this period, all work will be performed under the observation of a lab supervisor, manager or director.

Preferred: N/A

Experience

Required: N/A

Preferred: Previous Medical Laboratory Scientist experience.