Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist/Technician

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

UPMC Mercy is hiring a full-time Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist or Lead Medical Laboratory Technician. The role combines hands-on laboratory testing with expanded leadership responsibilities, including staff competency support, inventory and purchasing, training, and serving as a supervisory designee when needed. Applicants will be placed into the appropriate job title and salary based on their individual experience and education. The Lead Medical Laboratory Technician title starts at $27.40 per hour. UPMC offers a sign-on bonus to those who qualify. The position is scheduled for a daylight shift from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Duties include laboratory operations, quality assurance, staff support and training, procedure development and validation, and maintaining compliance with laboratory and hospital policies.

Requirements

For the Medical Laboratory Scientist title, meet one of the following: a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and successful completion of an accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist program; a bachelor's degree with a major in biological, chemical, or clinical laboratory science and ASCP or equivalent categorical or MLT certification; or a bachelor's degree with a major in biological, chemical, physical, or clinical laboratory science and at least three years of experience in a role equivalent to Medical Laboratory Technician in a clinical laboratory.
For the Lead Medical Laboratory Technician title, three years of experience with Medical Laboratory Technician certification, or four years of experience without certification.
Act 34 clearance.
Master new procedures within established time frames and follow laboratory procedures, protocols, and safety policies.

Nice To Haves

Three years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist is strongly preferred.
For the Lead Medical Laboratory Technician title, two years of experience in the host laboratory is preferred.
ASCP or equivalent certification in Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) or categorical certification is preferred.
ASCP or equivalent certification in medical technology (MT) or categorical certification is preferred.
Histocompatibility Technologist (CHT) certification from the American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI) is preferred for the HLA Laboratory.

Responsibilities

Assume supervisory duties and perform in-charge duties as needed; evaluate and address problems when the Supervisor is absent and communicate issues to the appropriate Laboratory Supervisor, Manager, or Director.
Participate in an extensive administrative call rotation with other supervisory staff, only for the Tissue Typing Laboratory.
Assist supervisory personnel with observing and documenting laboratory staff competency.
Perform all duties of a Medical Technologist.
Ensure instrument maintenance and function checks are completed and accurately documented; troubleshoot instrument malfunctions and report problems.
Review QC logs and report errors, omissions, or discrepancies.
Compile quality assurance data and prepare reports as directed.
Monitor proficiency testing and assist the Director with evaluating results and documenting responses to deficiencies.
Assist with staff scheduling as directed by the Laboratory Supervisor or Manager.
Maintain confidentiality, interact professionally with other departments, and represent the Laboratory on hospital committees as needed.
Follow policies for critical and abnormal result reporting and turnaround times; participate in and monitor quality assurance indicators.
Follow hospital appearance, identification badge, telephone and internet use, attendance, compliance, and safety policies; help monitor subordinate attendance and serve as a compliance resource.
Monitor inventory levels and act to prevent supply shortages or overages; perform purchasing as directed when the Laboratory Supervisor or Manager is absent.
Master new procedures within established time frames and remain aware of procedural and protocol changes.
Conduct organized and thorough orientation and training; serve as a resource to employees on procedures and test outcomes.
Develop, perform, or evaluate special projects; evaluate and validate new procedures or reagent systems.
Formulate, author, or revise procedures according to CLSI guidelines.
Prepare and deliver student lectures and bench instruction where relevant.