Certified Lab Scientist

Prime Healthcare • Joliet, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Lab Scientist performs waived, moderate, and highly complex laboratory tests authorized by CLIA, with responsibilities and skill commensurate with education, training, experience, and technical abilities. The role performs a wide variety of laboratory procedures using independent judgment, manual methods, and automated methods across Hematology, Blood Bank, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Coagulation, Microbiology, Immunology, and other laboratory disciplines as introduced.

The scientist follows laboratory procedures for specimen collection, processing, analysis, and reporting; documents corrective actions when test systems deviate from established performance specifications; identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance and corrects them or promptly notifies a supervisor or medical director; and reviews patient-result accuracy before release. The role also performs and documents instrument and equipment maintenance, recognizes age-specific result differences from newborns through geriatrics, and handles proficiency-testing samples according to applicable requirements.

The position may include venipuncture or capillary puncture across age groups, contributing to laboratory policies and procedures, and responsibilities related to the laboratory information system (LIS) or point-of-care testing (POCT). In a supervisor’s absence, the scientist may be assigned as Lead Tech for the section or department during the shift. Other duties may be assigned by the department manager or director. The role follows department and hospital policies concerning safety, infection control, emergency preparedness, and human resources.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, physical, or biological health science, or Medical Laboratory Technology from an accredited institution, or other educational requirements stated in CLIA (42 CFR 493.1423).
• Current and valid state license if required where the laboratory is located.

Nice To Haves

• ASCP certification or equivalent preferred.
• One year of hospital laboratory work experience preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Perform waived, moderate, and highly complex tests authorized by CLIA.
• Follow laboratory procedures for collection, processing, analysis, and reporting of patient test results.
• Follow quality-control policies and document corrective actions when test systems deviate from established performance specifications.
• Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance; correct them or immediately notify the immediate supervisor, Director, or Medical Director.
• Perform a wide variety of laboratory procedures using independent judgment and manual and automated methods across applicable laboratory disciplines.
• Perform and document daily, weekly, monthly, or as-needed maintenance on instruments and equipment.
• Review patient-result accuracy before releasing or reporting results.
• Recognize age-specific differences in expected results from newborns through geriatric patients.
• Test proficiency-testing samples in the same manner as patient samples and avoid collaboration with other laboratories before reporting results to the appropriate agencies.
• Perform venipuncture or capillary puncture on various age groups when required.
• Assist with development and maintenance of laboratory policies and procedures.
• Follow department and hospital policies and procedures related to safety, infection control, emergency preparedness, and human resources.
• May serve as Lead Tech for the section or department during the shift in the absence of a supervisor.
• May perform responsibilities related to LIS and/or POCT.
• Perform other tasks or responsibilities assigned by the department manager or director.

Benefits

• Paid time off
• 401K retirement plan
• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Tuition reimbursement
• Voluntary benefit options
• Sign-on bonus of up to $10,000 for qualified candidates; eligibility and payout terms apply.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time