Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Chemistry

Guidehouse•Bethesda, MD

21h•Onsite

About The Position

We are currently searching for a Clinical Laboratory Scientist to provide support to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This is a full-time, on-site opportunity based in Bethesda, MD. Follow the laboratory’s established policies and procedures. Perform both routine and specialized laboratory procedures of moderate to high complexity on blood and body fluids in the Chemistry Service; including, but not limited to, specimen handling, specimen acceptability and processing, automated and manual chemistry assays, urinalysis, and blood gases. Record patient test results through a variety of data entry modes and retrieve information when necessary. Interpret results and relate them to the clinical history of the patient. Interact directly with patient care physicians in discussing the interpretation of test results and suggest follow up procedures, which may help answer clinical questions. Play a critical role in performing and adhering to Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and Quality Improvement (QC/QA/QI) policies and procedures. Ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations and guidelines, as well as State and agency requirements. Monitor, troubleshoot and initiate or take corrective action to maintain instrument function and quality, including detection of reagent problems and equipment malfunction. Calibrate, standardize, adjust, and maintain instruments. Identify the cause of common problems and mistakes and make simple repairs. Perform proficiency testing in the same manner as patient specimens. Adhere to safety procedures to minimize potential of hazardous spills or unnecessary contamination of the lab environment. Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results; correct problem or notify senior staff; document all corrective actions taken. Organize daily work based on priorities and needs of the laboratory and patients. Assist in performing inventory, rotating stock, and maintaining the necessary logs. Collaborate with staff to evaluate and/or develop new techniques; perform comparative studies with older technology; perform evaluations to determine new guidelines. Comply with accrediting and inspection agency requirements; participating in activities associated with the laboratory accreditation process. Comply with all hospital and laboratory mandatory trainings and competency assessments. May support laboratory operations for the NIH Clinical Center Special Clinical Studies Unit (SCSU), which includes environments involving patients exposed to communicable diseases outside standard care conditions. May perform clinical laboratory testing across Hematology, Chemistry, and Microbiology under enhanced BSL-2 safety protocols. May participate in training and maintain competency requirements to support SCSU laboratory operations, as applicable. May handle and ship biohazardous specimens in accordance with established safety and regulatory guidelines. If selected to support SCSU coverage, all required training will be provided.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum One (1) year of prior relevant experience.
Successful completion of a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Federal or DoD “public trust”.
Ability to lift 10 – 30 pounds.
Must be willing to work the day shift (Monday through Friday from 7:00am-3:30pm or similar; rotating holidays, weekends, and on-call shifts required).

Nice To Haves

Preferred fields of study: Biological Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
Excellent hand-eye coordination.
Strong communications skills, both oral and written.
Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.
Two (2) years of experience working in a clinical hospital laboratory preferred.
Generalist experience preferred, duties will include work in chemistry.
Prior experience in mass spectrometry, HPLC, or protein electrophoresis preferred but not required.
Candidates with an active public trust or suitability are preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform routine and specialized laboratory procedures of moderate to high complexity on blood and body fluids in the Chemistry Service.
Handle specimen acceptability and processing.
Perform automated and manual chemistry assays, urinalysis, and blood gases.
Record patient test results and retrieve information.
Interpret results and relate them to the clinical history of the patient.
Interact with patient care physicians to discuss interpretation of test results and suggest follow-up procedures.
Perform and adhere to Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and Quality Improvement (QC/QA/QI) policies and procedures.
Ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, guidelines, and State and agency requirements.
Monitor, troubleshoot, and take corrective action to maintain instrument function and quality.
Calibrate, standardize, adjust, and maintain instruments.
Identify the cause of common problems and mistakes and make simple repairs.
Perform proficiency testing.
Adhere to safety procedures to minimize potential of hazardous spills or contamination.
Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results, correct them, or notify senior staff, and document all corrective actions.
Organize daily work based on priorities and needs of the laboratory and patients.
Assist in performing inventory, rotating stock, and maintaining necessary logs.
Collaborate with staff to evaluate and/or develop new techniques, perform comparative studies, and perform evaluations to determine new guidelines.
Comply with accrediting and inspection agency requirements and participate in laboratory accreditation processes.
Comply with all hospital and laboratory mandatory trainings and competency assessments.
May support laboratory operations for the NIH Clinical Center Special Clinical Studies Unit (SCSU), performing clinical laboratory testing across Hematology, Chemistry, and Microbiology under enhanced BSL-2 safety protocols.
May participate in training and maintain competency requirements to support SCSU laboratory operations.
May handle and ship biohazardous specimens in accordance with established safety and regulatory guidelines.

Benefits

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
Parental Leave
401(k) Retirement Plan
Group Term Life and Travel Assistance
Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities
Employee Referral Program
Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
Care.com annual membership
Employee Assistance Program
Supplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)
Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus