Clinical Lab Scientist, Part Time - Nights

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) provides testing services for inpatients and outpatients of ZSFG, Laguna Honda Hospital, District Health Centers, and other facilities under the auspices of the San Francisco Public Health Department. The Clinical Lab Scientist performs laboratory testing procedures, computer functions, and quality control in the Microbiology Division. The role includes receiving, accessioning, and processing specimens for microbiological cultures, molecular testing, and serologic testing; interpreting smears for microorganisms; performing serologic and molecular diagnostic tests; and conducting routine isolation, interpretation, identification, and/or antibiotic susceptibility testing of specimens for bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and parasites. Work must be accurately and professionally documented in the laboratory computer system and performed in a manner consistent with the team concept and the UCSF and ZSFG mission, vision, and values. The position also assists with STAT testing in the Chemistry division, including loading specimens into the Siemens Workcell and performing osmolality, fetal fibronectin, and volatiles testing, as well as quality control on the Siemens Centaur.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate scientific field.
Possession of a California Clinical Laboratory Scientist License or a similar license of equal or higher level issued by the State Department of Health.
Experience with a clinical laboratory computer system and PC skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills relative to clinical results.
Ability to work independently and under pressure, recognize and resolve problems, and maintain a high level of organization.

Nice To Haves

At least twelve months of recent (within the last two years) experience as a Licensed Clinical Lab Scientist, with recent clinical microbiology experience.

Responsibilities

Receive, time-stamp, and log incoming specimens for General Bacteriology, Mycology, Mycobacteriology, Parasitology, Virology, and/or Serology into the laboratory computer system.
Review requisitions for unusual culture requests or diagnoses requiring special handling, assess specimen collection, and contact physicians or patient locations to obtain needed information or satisfactory specimens.
Process and plate specimens for General Bacteriology, Mycology, Virology, and/or AFB using nutrient, selective, and differential media; load and monitor the blood culture instrument.
Prepare, stain, and interpret gram stains, AFB stains, parasitology iron hematoxylin stains, and malaria smears.
Remove positive blood cultures from the instrument and perform gram stains, subculture, preliminary identification setup, and susceptibility testing.
Perform serology procedures and molecular diagnostic tests for bacterial, fungal, parasitic, viral, or autoimmune diseases, using techniques such as EIA, RT-PCR, and fluorescent microscopy; operate and maintain analyzers and, on occasion, perform new methods.
Prioritize and organize workload to expedite patient results; work independently with minimal supervision and be accountable for assigned responsibilities.
Accurately and professionally document work and enter results into the laboratory computer system.
Maintain a clean, organized work area and care for and maintain instruments.
Follow safety precautions and procedures required by regulatory agencies and UC and SFGH department policies.
Perform quality control procedures for reagents, test kits, and equipment.
Perform routine isolation, interpretation, identification, and/or antibiotic susceptibility testing of specimens for bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and parasites.
Assist with STAT testing in the Chemistry division, including loading specimens into the Siemens Workcell and performing osmolality, fetal fibronectin, and volatiles testing.
Perform quality control on the Siemens Centaur and adhere to section, laboratory, and safety policies.
Perform additional duties as assigned.