Current Department Employees: CLS Technical Specialist

Tahoe Forest Health System•Truckee, CA

About The Position

The CLS Technical Specialist performs complex medical laboratory testing, procedures, and analyses to provide accurate and timely data supporting the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. In addition to Clinical Laboratory Scientist responsibilities, this role provides technical leadership and subject-matter expertise within assigned areas and supports the Laboratory Management Team with technical, quality, accreditation, regulatory, operational, and administrative functions. The specialist promotes regulatory and accreditation compliance, supports staff competency and development, evaluates laboratory processes and technology, and contributes to continuous improvement and effective laboratory operations. This is a full-time, day-shift position. The role has no supervisory responsibilities and may include other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Certificate of completion from a college or vocational school in medical technology or a related science, with completion of an accredited clinical laboratory (hospital-based) program.
Three or more years of relevant experience.
California Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license upon hire.
Nevada Clinical Laboratory Technologist-General Supervisor License upon hire.
Ability to perform each essential duty satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Responsibilities

Perform complex laboratory testing according to established procedures; evaluate results, recognize abnormalities or deviations, and take appropriate action to ensure accuracy, precision, and patient safety.
Evaluate pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes; identify factors that may affect results and take appropriate corrective action.
Analyze quality-control data and determine the validity of patient results; respond to questions about results, methodologies, specificity, sensitivity, and factors that may influence testing.
Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instruments and equipment; ensure required maintenance is completed and documented, and coordinate vendor service when necessary.
Perform and evaluate new techniques and procedures, including method comparisons, reference-interval establishment, and assessment of space and personnel requirements; write and revise technical procedures as needed.
Ensure compliance within assigned areas with applicable regulatory, accreditation, safety, HIPAA, and organizational requirements.
Maintain current policies, procedures, and required documentation for assigned areas.
Monitor daily operations, including quality control, corrected reports, pending lists, shift reports, instrument issues and maintenance, supply levels, and other operational concerns; submit Quality Monitor Reporting (QMR) as appropriate.
Use time away from bench duties to complete regulatory, accreditation, quality, technological, and other specialist responsibilities.
Promote timely and accurate communication of laboratory results to appropriate providers and caregivers, and respond professionally to inquiries and concerns.
Receive, document, and appropriately escalate complaints or concerns from staff, providers, and patients.
Assist with staff competency assessments, direct observations, training, and education; with supervisor support, provide updates about procedures, policies, and operational issues.
Review and potentially submit Proficiency Testing results associated with assigned areas.
Participate in laboratory leadership meetings and present updates for assigned areas as requested.
Document and communicate staff work-time discrepancies and other staffing or operational concerns to the appropriate laboratory supervisor.
Monitor laboratory information systems and end-user computer operations, and participate in software verification, downtime procedures, and recovery.
Maintain a safe work environment and support compliance with laboratory safety requirements.
Collaborate with external departments, quality committees, vendors, and other organizational groups as directed by laboratory management.
Demonstrate System Values and comply with System policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.