Clinical Laboratory Scientist

LCMC Health•Marrero, LA

16h•Onsite

About The Position

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this department. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities, and LCMC Health reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist ensures specimens received by the laboratory are acceptable for testing by applying the appropriate criteria, including receiving, processing, and distribution of lab specimens, and applying criteria for specimen rejection as applicable. They follow hospital/laboratory safety and infection control policies, universal precautions, and guidelines for handling biohazardous and chemically hazardous materials. The role involves operating and maintaining laboratory instrumentation, preparing reagents and specimens, reporting test results accurately and timely, and performing high complexity testing. The scientist may float between laboratory sections as needed, maintains working knowledge of policies and procedures, and troubleshoots basic instrument malfunctions. They analyze quality control material, perform comparison studies, and review results for accuracy. Documentation of critical values, investigation of unexpected results, and proper routing of electronic results and forms are also key responsibilities. The role includes managing inventory levels and maintaining competencies in each laboratory section per CLIA guidelines. Additionally, the Clinical Laboratory Scientist assists in the clinical orientation and training of new personnel and students, and performs duties within the scope of practice in various situations.

Requirements

Associate degree of Applied Science in accredited program
Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLS- Technician) - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
For all temporary licensure employees, a copy of your national certification exam report stating you passed must be submitted prior to your temporary licensure expiration.
A permanent licensure MUST be acquired within1 year of hire.

Responsibilities

Ensures specimens received by the laboratory are acceptable for testing by applying the appropriate criteria.
Receiving, processing, and distribution of lab specimens.
Applying criteria for specimen rejection as applicable.
Follows hospital/laboratory safety and infection control policies and reports variances to section supervisors as they occur.
Follows universal precautions at all times when dealing with blood or body fluids.
Handles biohazardous and chemically hazardous materials per safety guidelines.
Disinfects workspace at appropriate frequencies per quality manual.
Assures proper packaging and disposal of waste chemicals.
Maintains proper documentation of generated waste.
Operates both primary and secondary instrumentation proficiently.
Changes or prepares reagents, controls and documents per policy.
Prepares specimens for testing per policy and procedure.
Reports test results within established departmental turn-around times after verifying documentation is complete and accurate.
Performs up to high complexity testing accurately and timely in laboratory section(s).
Floats between laboratory sections and assists in other areas as needed per workflow demands.
Maintains working knowledge of policies, procedures, protocols, processes applicable to assigned laboratory sections.
Operates, calibrates, conducts performance checks and maintains any clinical laboratory instrument or equipment.
Troubleshoots basic instrument malfunctions and documents appropriately.
Determines when an instrument’s service representative should be contacted for assistance.
Analyzes quality control material for each procedure, records values according to section policy and reports to technical Supervisor when results are outside established limits.
Performs comparison studies of precision, accuracy and linearity on new or existing procedures and reports results by established deadlines.
Performs and accurately records proficiency surveys.
Reviews results for accuracy before verification.
Documents Critical Call Value notification, and investigates delta checks as appropriate.
Investigating unexpected or absurd results as needed.
Properly routes electronic results, forms and copies within the specified time frame.
Performs all aspects of reagent quality control as specified in the quality control manuals.
Manages appropriate inventory levels for testing escalating to leads as needed.
Responsible for the continuous operations in testing of specimens in each laboratory section.
Responsible for maintaining competencies in each laboratory section per CLIA frequency guidelines.
Assists in the clinical orientation and training of new or less skilled laboratory personnel as requested by the section Supervisor.
Assists with students, intern, or resident clinical education.
Performs any duties within the scope of practice as assigned in routine, unusual or emergency situations.