Immunohematology Laboratory Scientist III

Bloodworks NW • Seattle, WA

2d • $41 - $64 • Onsite

About The Position

Bloodworks Northwest is hiring an Immunohematology Laboratory Scientist III for its Immunohematology Reference Laboratory. The laboratory performs clinical testing under routine and emergency protocols. This role is in training for the Immunohematology Laboratory Scientist IV position.

The Scientist III performs complex red-cell reference testing, supports timely fulfillment of blood orders, and serves as a technical resource for laboratory professionals and physicians. The position also supports rare-donor program activities, inventory and reagent management, documentation, quality control and assurance, staff competency assessments, and maintenance of current procedures and practices.

This is a highly regulated, essential position with direct responsibility to donors and/or patients. It is a second-shift role with an eight-hour workday and a Tuesday–Saturday/Monday–Friday rotation. Telecommuting is not offered. The role includes scheduled on-call work, overtime, weekends and holidays, possible extended or consecutive shifts during emergencies, and intermittent work in cold rooms and walk-in freezers. It involves direct exposure to bloodborne pathogens and work with volunteers.

Requirements

• Qualify as Testing Personnel for High Complexity Testing under CLIA personnel requirements in Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, another Biological Science, or equivalent.
• Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Blood Bank Technologist (BB), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), or equivalent.
• At least 2–3 years of Immunohematology Laboratory experience.
• Ability to comply with Bloodworks' Mandatory Vaccinations policy.
• Understand the criticality of testing as it relates to blood components prepared for transfusion and organs being transplanted, the financial value of reagents and blood components, and the need to follow applicable regulatory requirements, including AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, Washington State rules, and FDA Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Ability to perform independent work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Functional proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to push, pull, and lift an average of 40 pounds throughout the day and carry an average of 20 pounds.
• Significant manual dexterity to operate instruments and perform data entry.
• Ability to perform the job's required mental and physical activities, including teamwork, communication in English, accurate testing and documentation, and frequent standing, walking, reaching, handling, and repetitive hand and wrist motions.

Nice To Haves

• Certification as a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB).

Responsibilities

• Perform daily workups of complex antibody problems and other red-cell reference testing, and fill blood orders promptly.
• Perform antibody identification using tube, gel, and solid-phase methods.
• Perform warm autoantibody evaluations using matched cells and adsorption-elution techniques.
• Use enhancing reagents and enzymes to evaluate complex antibody problems.
• Perform extended transfusion-reaction evaluations, neonatal evaluations, and antibody titers.
• Provide technical consultation and customer service to internal and external laboratory professionals and physicians, including on result significance, billing, and logistics.
• Maintain and track inventory of antigen-typed units and testing supplies.
• Maintain proficiency in thawing rare units through the American Rare Donor Program (ARDP).
• Type, pack, and send rare units provided to the national exchange of rare units.
• Participate in initiatives supporting American Rare Donor Program requirements and maintenance of AABB IRL accreditation.
• Prepare and quality-control reagents and serum for daily operations.
• Review workup documentation and final reports, and coordinate billing for testing performed.
• Encourage cooperation among staff and maintain a professional, productive working environment.
• Troubleshoot equipment and transportation problems.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of testing, research, and validation; perform and document equipment quality control and maintenance.
• Work with laboratory staff to develop clear, concise, up-to-date standard operating procedures.
• Understand and participate in laboratory quality assurance functions, and report incidents involving unusual circumstances or failure to follow written procedures.
• Complete CAP/AABB survey assignments within the allotted timeframe.
• Coordinate direct observations for competency assessments.
• Keep current with emerging technologies and trends in red-cell reference testing.
• Participate in at least six contact hours of continuing education per year.
• Comply with applicable standard operating procedures and perform other duties as assigned.
• Work scheduled on-call periods of up to 12 days each month, and work scheduled holidays and weekends.
• Be prepared to work extended and/or consecutive shifts and possibly at a different location during inclement weather or other emergencies.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees regularly scheduled for 24 or more hours per week; family coverage is also available.
• Retirement plans (401a and 403b).
• Consolidated paid leave program, accruing 4.8–6.8 weeks of time off per year based on length of service.
• Subsidized transit program.
• Educational reimbursement.
• Relocation assistance bonus may be available to candidates hired from outside the service area, subject to conditions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level