Medical Laboratory Scientist or Technician

St. Charles Health System Inc.; Prineville (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Charles Health System seeks a Medical Laboratory Scientist to perform and interpret tests across diverse specimen types in the hospital laboratory. You will document results in the LIS, recognize critical values and ensure quality control and instrument maintenance.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science and national certification or eligibility. Prior MLS experience is preferred; the position emphasizes safety, accuracy and collaboration with clinicians.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science from an accredited program.
• Current national certification or licensure at the Technologist/Scientist level (MLS/MT) per ASCP/AMT/other.
• Previous MLS experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Perform, interpret and report clinical lab testing across specimens.
• Document results into the Laboratory Information System accurately.
• Calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot analytic instruments.
• Review results for accuracy and report any critical values promptly.
• Maintain safety, quality assurance and professional conduct.

Skills

Laboratory analysis

Quality control

Specimen handling

Instrument maintenance

Professional judgment

Education

Bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science

Tools

LIS / Laboratory Information System

Job description

**TITLE:** Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) **REPORTS TO POSITION:** Laboratory Supervisor, Manager or Director**DEPARTMENT:** Laboratory**DATE LAST REVIEWED:** August 2021**OUR VISION:** Creating America’s healthiest community, together**OUR MISSION:** In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value**OUR VALUES:** Accountability, Caring and Teamwork**DEPARTMENTAL SUMMARY:** The laboratory departments provide many services to our multi-hospital organization and outreach community including: blood collection, processing, testing, and reporting of results, spanning all disciplines of laboratory medicine.**POSITION OVERVIEW:** 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.**PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT :**Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.**PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:**Continually (75% or more): Standing and walking, use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.Frequently (50%): Sitting, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 1-25 pounds. Keyboard operationOccasionally (25%): Bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching, climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 25-50 pounds, grasping/squeezing, ability to hear whispered speech level.Rarely (10%): Climbing stairs.Never (0%): Climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), operation of a motor vehicle.Exposure to Elemental FactorsRarely (10%): Cold, wet/slippery area, chemical solution.Never (0%): Heat, noise, dust, vibration, uneven surface.Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure CategoryRisk for Exposure to BBP.Schedule Weekly Hours:0Caregiver Type:ReliefShift:Variable (United States of America)Is Exempt Position?NoJob Family:TECH LABORATORYScheduled Days of the Week:As Scheduled (may include weekends and holidays)Shift Start & End Time:Relief, variable