Clinical Laboratory Scientist

AHMC Healthcare•Monterey Park, CA

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist assists in operating the hospital clinical laboratory, overseeing and performing routine and STAT testing in Hematology, Chemistry, Blood Bank, and Microbiology. The CLS is responsible for result accuracy and appropriate documentation of patient, quality-control, and maintenance data; consults with nursing and medical staff as needed; monitors section functions; and assists with developing and revising laboratory policies and procedures. The role involves working independently with little or no direct supervision while following laboratory policies and regulatory guidelines. The CLS supports timely testing and patient care, maintains instruments and supplies, addresses quality-control and instrument or reagent issues, communicates concerns to appropriate personnel, and assists coworkers and trainees as needed.

Requirements

A valid and current Clinical Laboratory Technologist license issued by the State of California Department of Health Services.
BCLS card (AHA) within 90 days of hire.
Proficiency in written and oral communication.
Good manual dexterity.
Ability to work well under supervision and in times of stress.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent, is preferred.

Responsibilities

Verify patient name and medical record number before collecting specimens or performing tests.
Reject unsuitable specimens and document the reasons.
Perform and document calibration, quality control, and preventive maintenance to validate instrument or testing-protocol accuracy and precision.
Report instrument problems on the Action Taken form and document actions taken to resolve instrument or reagent problems.
Perform instrument startup and shutdown procedures at the beginning and end of shifts.
Follow laboratory policies when performing tests on laboratory instruments.
Compare current results with previous results before verification and resolve or verify discrepancies.
Respond to abnormal values and flags according to laboratory policy before verifying results.
Perform proficiency testing according to departmental guidelines; monitor responsible quality control, trends, and action items.
Ensure testing is performed in a timely manner, including accommodating STAT orders and reporting results within one hour or less.
Ensure patient or guardian care and instructions are appropriate to the patient's age and level of understanding.
Attend in-service programs, maintain required in-service hours, and provide verification of attendance.
Assist in training another employee when requested.
Perform daily, weekly, and monthly preventive maintenance of instruments.
Help develop and maintain laboratory policies and procedures; review and sign applicable manuals annually and regularly review and sign the communication log book.
Use the LIS to verify orders and receive samples accurately, and document critical-result calls in the LIS, including who was called, the time, and who called.
Dispose of hazardous materials in the proper containers and follow safety procedures for HIV and HBV transmission precautions and hazardous substances.
Maintain adequate supplies and communicate concerns and problems accurately and promptly to appropriate personnel; seek guidance as needed.
Respond to scheduling changes related to admissions, STAT, ER, outpatient, and timed testing.
Batch testing whenever possible to reduce testing costs.
Refer abnormal results to the pathologist or supervisor according to laboratory policy.
Investigate instrument flags, asterisks, or codes to ensure reported results are accurate and instrument problems are corrected.
When functioning as lead technologist, operate within budgetary guidelines and staffing needs.
Assist coworkers with daily tasks or special projects and complete assigned work, special projects, and prior-shift work accurately and within appropriate time frames.
Check pending work throughout the shift and at shift end, resolve specimen or workflow issues, and ensure assigned workstation work is complete.
Place the signed PTR in the designated location.
Maintain policies and procedures, quality-control procedures, and preventive-maintenance manuals.
Return promptly from errands, breaks, and meals, and inform the immediate supervisor if a rest or meal period is missed.
Follow up on quality-control and instrument or reagent problems, institute corrective action, and document actions taken; communicate with manufacturers to resolve instrument problems or assist with resolution.
Ensure all shifts comply with laboratory policies and regulatory-agency guidelines, and document and write revised procedures or policies when changes occur.
Report suggestions or recommendations for improvements to departmental policies and procedures to the supervisor.
Perform other duties as assigned.