Clinical Lab Scientist II - WD

Quest Diagnostics•West Hills, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

This licensed position is accountable for performing complex clinical laboratory testing, following all applicable policies and procedures. The role involves performing the most complex clinical tests independently, introducing new tests, overseeing reagent preparation, evaluating new reagents and controls, determining specimen acceptability, calculating and entering results, monitoring computer review reports, adhering to analytical schedules, and evaluating the acceptability of analysis prior to releasing patient reports. The position also requires recognizing and acting on critical values, performing scheduled preventative maintenance, troubleshooting and calibrating equipment, evaluating instrument performance, performing linearity, accuracy, and precision checks, performing and evaluating Quality Control and calibrations, selecting and evaluating control materials, initiating corrective action, performing and recording proficiency testing, detecting and correcting technical and operational problems, notifying supervisors, and contacting manufacturer or field service support if necessary. Additionally, the role ensures accurate tracking and labeling of reagents and supplies, maintains a safe and neat work area, trains staff, supports training programs, assists with updating computer databases, schedules workloads, provides technical direction, offers feedback on learning progress, participates in staff and Quality Improvement meetings, and takes on additional business-related responsibilities or projects as delegated. This includes evaluating new techniques and procedures, method comparison, cost analysis, establishing reference ranges, writing and revising technical procedures, and evaluating productivity and key results measures. The position also involves collecting and disposing of waste, maintaining confidentiality, providing direction to unlicensed staff, maintaining professional growth and development through continuing education to meet California state licensure requirements, answering phones, and complying with all health and safety policies, procedures, and practices, including the use of personal protective equipment. Other duties as assigned. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, but rather a general description of work performed by the position.

Requirements

Minimum of 6 months of direct experience.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks.
Frequent simple grasping, reaching and fine manipulation.
Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods.
Have good eye and hand coordination.
Testing for color blindness will be required upon hiring or transfer into technical functions requiring detection of, or rating of intensity of colors (e.g., Fluorescent microscopy reading).
Communication and interpersonal skills necessary to deal courteously and effectively with supervisors, co-workers and clients.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Application (Word, Excel, Outlook)
Bachelor’s Degree Medical technology or other life or physical sciences from an accredited college or university. (Required)
Current State Clinical Laboratory Scientist license if necessary (e.g. California) (Required)

Nice To Haves

Strong typing skills desirable.
Other automation skills helpful.

Responsibilities

Consistently and independently performs the most complex level of clinical tests following the required procedures and policies.
Performs newly introduced tests to the laboratory that require defined skills.
Oversees the preparation of reagents or media as well as stock solutions, standards, and controls.
Tests new reagents or controls and evaluates their usefulness based on standard criteria.
Determines the acceptability of specimens for testing according to established criteria in testing procedures.
Determines calculated results utilizing testing data by means of manual or computerized procedures.
Accurately enters results of testing.
Checks the computer review reports to monitor accurate reporting of results.
Adheres to analytical schedules to maintain turnaround times of results.
Evaluates the acceptability of routine and complex analysis prior to releasing patient reports.
Recognizes and takes appropriate action in response to critical values or unusual or unexpected results, and documents action taken.
Responsible for scheduled preventative maintenance troubleshooting and calibration of laboratory equipment.
Evaluates the results of instrument performance checks.
Performs linearity, accuracy and precision checks as required.
Performs Quality Control and calibrations with the appropriate frequency and evaluates results to determine acceptability of result release.
Selects and evaluates control materials using established criteria.
Initiates a corrective action process whenever test systems do not perform according to the established criteria.
Accurately performs and records proficiency testing.
Demonstrates the ability to detect and correct technical and operational problems.
Notifies the supervisor, and contacts manufacturer or field service support for additional assistance, if necessary.
Ensures accurate tracking and labeling of reagents and supplies.
Consistently maintains a safe and neat work area.
Trains staff in proper performance of both routine and complex procedures.
Supports Training Programs, where applicable
Assists the supervisor to up-date and maintain the computer database for their area of testing responsibility and/or the department.
Works with Group Lead and Supervisory staff to scheduling effective weekly workloads.
Assists department supervisor or manager by providing technical direction to staff members.
May provide feedback to supervisor on individual and/or team learning progress.
Actively participates in staff meetings, and in Quality Improvement meetings as assigned.
Takes on additional business-related responsibilities or projects, as delegated by the Supervisor or Manager. This may include but not be limited to: evaluation of new techniques and procedures in terms of personnel and requirements, method comparison, cost analysis, establishment of reference ranges, writing and revising technical procedures, and evaluation of productivity and key results measures.
Collects and dispose of waste in proper receptacles.
Demonstrates a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.
Provides constant direction to unlicensed staff as required.
Maintains professional growth and development through continuing education. The continuing education must meet the education requirements for California state licensure.
Answers phones, transfers, or takes accurate messages.
Complies with all health and safety policies, procedures, and practices.
Required to use personal protective equipment.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Day 1 Medical, supplemental health, dental & vision for FT employees who work 30+ hours
Best-in-class well-being programs
Annual, no-cost health assessment program
Blueprint for Wellness® healthyMINDS mental health program
Vacation and Health/Flex Time
6 Holidays plus 1 "MyDay" off
FinFit financial coaching and services
401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service
Employee stock purchase plan
Life and disability insurance, plus buy-up option
Flexible Spending Accounts
Annual incentive plans
Matching gifts program
Education assistance through MyQuest for Education
Career advancement opportunities