CLS
About The Position
The CLS performs waived, moderate, and highly complex laboratory tests authorized under CLIA and applicable state law, with duties appropriate to their education, training, experience, and technical abilities. The position performs a variety of laboratory procedures using manual and automated methods across disciplines including Hematology, Blood Bank, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Coagulation, Microbiology, and Immunology. The CLS follows laboratory procedures and quality-control policies, documents corrective actions, identifies and addresses testing problems, reviews patient results for accuracy before reporting, and maintains instruments and equipment. The role may also include venipuncture or capillary puncture, assisting with laboratory policies and procedures, serving as Lead Tech in a supervisor’s absence, and taking on LIS and/or POCT responsibilities. The CLS follows department and hospital policies related to safety, infection control, emergency preparedness, and human resources. Other duties may be assigned by the department manager or director.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in chemical, physical, or biological health science, or Medical Laboratory Technology, from an accredited institution, or other educational requirements stated in CLIA (42 CFR 493.1423).
- Current and valid state license if required in the state where the laboratory is located.
Nice To Haves
- ASCP certification or equivalent is preferred.
- One year of hospital laboratory work experience is preferred but not required.
Responsibilities
- Perform waived, moderate, and highly complex laboratory tests in accordance with CLIA and applicable state requirements.
- Follow procedures for collecting, processing, analyzing, and reporting patient test results.
- Follow quality-control policies and document corrective actions when test systems deviate from established performance specifications.
- Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance and correct them or promptly notify the supervisor, Director, or Medical Director.
- Perform a variety of laboratory procedures using manual and automated methods in Hematology, Blood Bank, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Coagulation, Microbiology, Immunology, and other laboratory disciplines as introduced.
- Perform and document instrument and equipment maintenance at the required intervals.
- Review patient results for accuracy before releasing or reporting them.
- Recognize age-specific differences in expected results, from newborns to geriatric patients.
- Test proficiency-testing samples in the same manner as patient samples and avoid collaboration with other laboratories before reporting results to the appropriate agencies.
- Perform venipuncture or capillary puncture on patients of various ages when required.
- Assist in developing and maintaining laboratory policies and procedures.
- Follow department and hospital policies related to safety, infection control, emergency preparedness, and human resources.
- May serve as Lead Tech for a section or department during their shift when a supervisor is absent.
- May be assigned responsibilities related to LIS and/or POCT.
- Perform other duties assigned by the department manager or director.
