CLS/MLT NIGHTS

LCMC Health•Metairie, LA

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist performs clinical laboratory testing, evaluates and reports data, and helps identify information that may support the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The role handles blood, body fluid, tissue, and other specimens, maintaining specimen integrity, safety, quality-control standards, and accurate documentation throughout testing and reporting. The position also performs blood bank and microbiology procedures, operates and maintains laboratory instruments, manages supplies and waste, and may assist with bone marrow specimen collection and processing.

Requirements

Clinical Lab Generalist licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners as CLG or CLS.

Responsibilities

Assess specimens for acceptability, prepare or change reagents and controls as needed, and document these actions.
Label, accession, and distribute specimens while maintaining patient identification and specimen integrity; inoculate specimens on appropriate media.
Initiate orders for blood and blood components from the appropriate supplier.
Follow hospital and laboratory safety and infection-control policies and report variances to section supervisors.
Select and initiate manual, micro-method, or backup procedures when appropriate.
Compare patient results with previous results from the same encounter, investigate discrepancies, and report verified results within established turnaround times.
Prepare and interpret Gram stains and other wet and dry preparations for bacteriology and parasitology.
Perform routine blood bank and serology procedures, including ABO/Rh typing and retesting, antibody detection and identification, and compatibility testing.
Prepare blood components using aseptic technique and proper storage.
Evaluate serological reactivity to assist with antibody identification and crossmatch incompatibilities.
Use universal precautions when handling blood or body fluids and disinfect countertops at the end of the shift.
Operate, calibrate, check, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment after orientation; troubleshoot basic malfunctions and document actions.
Determine when to contact an instrument service representative.
Analyze and document quality-control material and report results outside established limits to the technical supervisor.
Conduct precision, accuracy, and linearity comparison studies; document proficiency surveys; and route forms and reagent quality-control records as specified.
Assist with clinical orientation of new or less-skilled laboratory personnel when requested by the section supervisor.
Package and dispose of waste chemicals properly and maintain documentation of generated waste.
Enter orders and results manually or electronically and review information for accuracy before verification.
Document critical-call notifications, duplicate checks, performance date and time, technologist initials, and expected age-related normal values on downtime reports as appropriate.
Check assigned instruments and benches for reagent and supply levels, replenish supplies, report low or unacceptable inventory, document receipt and use dates and expiration, and maintain adequate inventory for incoming shifts.
Receive, process, and preserve tissue specimens from surgery, autopsy, and nursing floors; store and preserve other non-tissue specimens for the non-core laboratory.
Prepare reagents and collection supplies for bone marrow aspirations, assist physicians in obtaining bone marrow specimens, and perform special stains and applicable protocols.