Lab Scientist - Referrals

OU Health•Oklahoma City, OK

11d

About The Position

The Lab Scientist - Referrals position is in the Laboratory Outreach department. Under close supervision, the Lab Scientist performs routine standardized clinical diagnostic tests in a clinical laboratory. The work may involve infectious agents. The position may be filled at levels 1–3 based on education, experience, and license requirements. The role performs waived and nonwaived patient testing; receives, sorts, evaluates, and routes specimens; and records laboratory and patient information in the OUH lab informatics system. It also involves preparing chemical solutions and reagents, performing quality control and proficiency testing, operating and maintaining laboratory instruments, assessing testing issues, communicating notification values to clinical staff, and participating in quality, safety, regulatory, inventory, and professional development activities. OU Health describes a comprehensive benefits package that includes PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, among other benefits. A possible sign-on bonus and relocation assistance may be available to eligible new hires located more than 100 miles away.

Requirements

Associate degree in Medical Lab Technology (MLT), or a bachelor's degree including 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, or 24 semester hours of science courses comprising six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and twelve semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination.
Clinical or other laboratory setting experience: Level 1 requires 0–3 years; Level 2 requires 3–5 years; Level 3 requires 5 or more years.
For Level 2 and Level 3, nationally recognized certification through one of the listed governing accreditations is required: ASCP, AMT, AABB, NASKL, ASCLS, HHS, ASHI, AAB, ABB, AMS, CRP, EBPH, Military, or NILA.
Skills to perform required laboratory testing.
Ability to work as part of a team and follow instructions.
Ability to report to work consistently and dependably as scheduled.
Ability to maintain legible, accurate, and organized records.
Ability to handle confidential information discreetly and exercise sound judgment.
Ability to multitask and remain calm in stressful situations.
Ability to understand operations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to work and communicate professionally, politely, courteously, compassionately, and cooperatively with coworkers and other caregivers, and meet their needs.
Demonstrated initiative, effort, and commitment to establishing priorities and completing assignments.
Core knowledge and understanding of normal laboratory processes.

Nice To Haves

For Level 1, nationally recognized certification through ASCP, AMT, AABB, NASKL, ASCLS, HHS, ASHI, AAB, ABB, AMS, CRP, EBPH, Military, or NILA is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform waived and nonwaived laboratory patient testing promptly and reliably according to hospital and departmental policies.
Comply with hospital and laboratory safety policies and procedures, including appropriate use of PPE.
Participate in performance improvement activities and support regulatory and accreditation standards.
Participate in laboratory quality activities, including quality monitoring and auditing, occurrence and deviation documentation, and performance improvement.
Receive and sort specimens, assess their acceptability for testing, and distribute them to appropriate laboratories or laboratory sections.
Record patient demographics and information about specimen collection, identification, preservation, processing, quality control, test results, and specimen referral in the OUH lab informatics system.
Assess potential performance problems during testing and take appropriate action.
Prepare and appropriately label chemical solutions and reagents.
Perform quality control procedures according to authorized laboratory policy.
Operate, calibrate, and maintain instrumentation within training and established protocols.
Document completion of instrument maintenance and function checks.
Take responsibility for professional development.
Call notification values to appropriate clinical staff and document notifications in the electronic medical record.
Perform proficiency testing according to laboratory and regulatory requirements.
Participate in inventory management and complete annual competency assessments.
Perform other duties as assigned.