Medical Lab Scientist Senior

UVA Community Health•Culpeper, VA

About The Position

Performs Quality Control (QC) and complex patient testing, develops skills and maintains competency in routine, “specials” and assigned laboratory areas. Patient tests and Quality Control (QC) material tests are performed and results reported in accordance with departmental policy. Error rate is consistent with established departmental standards. Critical values are reported and documented per medical laboratory policy. Clinical correlation of results with other known patient parameters is incorporated in result verification per department procedure. Workload is prioritized and managed to meet expected Turn-Around-Time (TAT). Competence is maintained, and new skills are added as technologies change. Correctly uses supplies and reagents and assists in inventory management. Inventory levels are assessed and steps to maintain appropriate levels are initiated to maintain operational continuity. Reagents are received, stored and quality is verified properly prior to use following departmental policies. Reagents and supplies are utilized according to manufacturer and/or procedural instructions. Disposal of reagents and supplies is in accordance with safety guidelines. Performs advanced equipment Trouble-shooting and maintenance responsibilities. Routine and complex equipment maintenance is performed and documented on a scheduled basis, consistent with department policy. Instrument malfunctions are recognized and trouble-shooting procedures are initiated, documented and resolved in a timely manner. Malfunctions are reported to the Lead Technologist or Manager for the area, or Manufacturer’s Technical Service is contacted for resolution as needed to maintain workflow and to schedule repairs. Processes required for instrument re-entry into use are performed. Serves as a team leader. The role of Operations Supervisor is filled as needed. A smooth transition between shifts is facilitated. When acting as the Operations Supervisor, workflow and staffing are assessed and corrective actions are initiated, when appropriate, to maintain operational continuity and efficiency. As directed by the Lead Technologist or Manager for the area, product/method/new test development is coordinated and implemented as needed. Workstations are restocked with supplies to maintain a consistent workflow. Specimen status trends and issues are identified and corrective action is implemented, consistent with departmental policy. Peer interviewing is conducted in a fair and standardized manner. Initiates activities associated with quality, safety and compliance programs. Quality Assurance (QA) monitoring efforts are led to implement improvements. Quality issues are reported and investigated promptly and accurately. Suggestions for Process Improvement are formulated and submitted for consideration on a routine basis. Compliance guidelines are applied to all testing and reporting activities. Laboratory operations are conducted to ensure a safe working environment at all times. Technical and/or operational studies and projects are coordinated or participated in. Serves as expert for analytical and technical questions and problems. Staff inquiries are addressed in a correct and timely manner, utilizing appropriate resources. Assistance is provided as requested by staff and management to investigate and resolve problems. Problems resolution and documentation is reviewed to ensure completeness and accuracy. Customer complaints are handled professionally and in a timely manner. Unresolved problems are communicated to management and other appropriate staff. Serves as a trainer, role model, and mentor for staff and healthcare professional students. Consultation related to job responsibilities, training and career development is provided to Clinical Laboratory Scientist 1, Clinical Laboratory Scientist 2, students and healthcare professionals as requested. Onboarding techniques are used to engage and retain new employees. Training methods are selected to accommodate employee needs and maximize effectiveness. Procedures are explained in an accurate manner. Training documentation is completed accurately in a timely manner. Assessment of trainees, including problems or concerns, is provided and documented constructively. Trainees are supervised at all times during performance and reporting of laboratory results. Professional behavior is modeled at all times during interactions. ORGANIZATIONAL DUTIES: Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills. Positive, professional demeanor is projected through verbal and non-verbal communications. Information for patients and staff is delivered in a manner that is supportive, timely and understandable. Interpersonal conflicts are resolved using appropriate methods and organizational resources, including but not limited to Employee Relations Services and Faculty Employee Assistance Program. Diverse perspectives are acknowledged; language and behaviors are modeled that build inclusiveness in the work environment. Ideas and suggestions are clearly communicated. Clarification of communication is requested when appropriate. Serves, manages and supports internal and external customers. Privacy is maintained at all times for patient and employee information. Actions are initiated to meet or exceed customer/co-workers expectations in delivering service by implementing the I Make the Difference philosophy (Ownership begins with me; Greet customers by making eye contact and smiling; Provide positive, professional and prompt responses, e.g. helping visitors find their way; Close every interaction with – Is there anything else I can do for you?). Appropriate resources throughout the Organization are used consistently to meet customer needs. Relationships with staff in other work areas are fostered to meet internal and external customer needs. Positive working relationships with peers, management and customers are maintained at all times. Organizational Mission and Values of Accountability, Stewardship, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect and Excellence are evident in behaviors. Participates in performance improvement activities. Participation in Performance Improvement activities and initiatives is on-going. Initiative is demonstrated to proactively diagnose and resolve problems. Change is met with positive, supportive behavior. Participates as a team member and is accountable for own work responsibilities. Time off is scheduled to avoid disrupting workflow. Help is offered to others to solve problems and complete tasks to facilitate communication and positive team dynamics. Productive work habits are consistently displayed. Accountability for actions and decisions is demonstrated in daily work. Feedback is solicited and accepted in a positive manner. Constructive input is offered to support the work unit. Patient Care: Shows a commitment to provide the highest level of patient care. Collects, labels, and prepares specimens for testing. Maintains required documentation for all lab procedures. Processes requisitions for testing. Prepares and distributes reports.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree - from an accredited college or university in medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or chemical, physical or biological science or equivalent.
Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Science program.
OR Bachelor’s Degree to include 35 semester hours comprised of Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Math AND 5 years fulltime experience in Blood Bank, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Hematology.
OR Bachelor’s Degree to include 30 semester hours in Biology and Chemistry AND 5 years fulltime experience in categorical exam area
3 year of experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist required
Technologist/Scientist Cert from ASCP or AMT-MT
(BB, C, H, MT/MLS, M, MB) Required
All individuals certified ASCP beginning January 1, 2004 must participate and maintain ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) through the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP).
All individuals who are certified AMT beginning January 1, 2006 must participate and maintain AMT Certification Continuation Program (CCP).
Knowledge of current medical terminology to perform full range of laboratory tests.
Knowledge of laboratory equipment and testing to perform quality control checks and troubleshooting of instrumentation.
Knowledge of medical terminology to communicate with medical staff regarding laboratory procedures and results.
Skill in performing a full range of laboratory tests.
Skill in anticipating and reacting calmly to emergency situations.
Skill in developing and maintaining department quality assurance.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, hospital staff and the public.
Ability to read and understand information about instrumentation in laboratory field.
Ability to follow written protocols.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to communicate clearly.

Nice To Haves

May require the use of safety equipment, such as HEPA mask, for infection prevention:
On call responsibilities as directed:
Ability to travel between campus buildings, remote facilities, and out of town as needed:

Responsibilities

Performs Quality Control (QC) and complex patient testing.
Develops skills and maintains competency in routine, “specials” and assigned laboratory areas.
Performs patient tests and Quality Control (QC) material tests and reports results in accordance with departmental policy.
Reports and documents critical values per medical laboratory policy.
Incorporates clinical correlation of results with other known patient parameters in result verification per department procedure.
Prioritizes and manages workload to meet expected Turn-Around-Time (TAT).
Maintains competence and adds new skills as technologies change.
Correctly uses supplies and reagents and assists in inventory management.
Assesses inventory levels and initiates steps to maintain appropriate levels for operational continuity.
Receives, stores, and verifies reagent quality prior to use following departmental policies.
Utilizes reagents and supplies according to manufacturer and/or procedural instructions.
Disposes of reagents and supplies in accordance with safety guidelines.
Performs advanced equipment troubleshooting and maintenance responsibilities.
Performs and documents routine and complex equipment maintenance on a scheduled basis, consistent with department policy.
Recognizes instrument malfunctions, initiates, documents, and resolves troubleshooting procedures in a timely manner.
Reports malfunctions to the Lead Technologist or Manager for the area, or contacts Manufacturer’s Technical Service for resolution as needed.
Performs processes required for instrument re-entry into use.
Serves as a team leader.
Fulfills the role of Operations Supervisor as needed.
Facilitates a smooth transition between shifts.
Assesses workflow and staffing and initiates corrective actions when acting as the Operations Supervisor to maintain operational continuity and efficiency.
Coordinates and implements product/method/new test development as directed by the Lead Technologist or Manager.
Restocks workstations with supplies to maintain a consistent workflow.
Identifies specimen status trends and issues and implements corrective action consistent with departmental policy.
Conducts peer interviews in a fair and standardized manner.
Initiates activities associated with quality, safety, and compliance programs.
Leads Quality Assurance (QA) monitoring efforts to implement improvements.
Reports and investigates quality issues promptly and accurately.
Formulates and submits suggestions for Process Improvement for consideration on a routine basis.
Applies compliance guidelines to all testing and reporting activities.
Conducts laboratory operations to ensure a safe working environment at all times.
Coordinates or participates in technical and/or operational studies and projects.
Serves as an expert for analytical and technical questions and problems.
Addresses staff inquiries correctly and in a timely manner, utilizing appropriate resources.
Provides assistance as requested by staff and management to investigate and resolve problems.
Reviews problem resolution and documentation for completeness and accuracy.
Handles customer complaints professionally and in a timely manner.
Communicates unresolved problems to management and other appropriate staff.
Serves as a trainer, role model, and mentor for staff and healthcare professional students.
Provides consultation related to job responsibilities, training, and career development to Clinical Laboratory Scientist 1, Clinical Laboratory Scientist 2, students, and healthcare professionals as requested.
Uses onboarding techniques to engage and retain new employees.
Selects training methods to accommodate employee needs and maximize effectiveness.
Explains procedures in an accurate manner.
Completes training documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
Provides and documents constructive assessment of trainees, including problems or concerns.
Supervises trainees at all times during performance and reporting of laboratory results.
Models professional behavior at all times during interactions.
Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills.
Projects a positive, professional demeanor through verbal and non-verbal communications.
Delivers information for patients and staff in a supportive, timely, and understandable manner.
Resolves interpersonal conflicts using appropriate methods and organizational resources.
Acknowledges diverse perspectives and models language and behaviors that build inclusiveness in the work environment.
Communicates ideas and suggestions clearly.
Requests clarification of communication when appropriate.
Serves, manages, and supports internal and external customers.
Maintains privacy at all times for patient and employee information.
Initiates actions to meet or exceed customer/co-workers expectations in delivering service by implementing the I Make the Difference philosophy.
Consistently uses appropriate resources throughout the Organization to meet customer needs.
Fosters relationships with staff in other work areas to meet internal and external customer needs.
Maintains positive working relationships with peers, management, and customers at all times.
Demonstrates Organizational Mission and Values of Accountability, Stewardship, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence in behaviors.
Participates in performance improvement activities and initiatives on an ongoing basis.
Demonstrates initiative to proactively diagnose and resolve problems.
Meets change with positive, supportive behavior.
Participates as a team member and is accountable for own work responsibilities.
Schedules time off to avoid disrupting workflow.
Offers help to others to solve problems and complete tasks to facilitate communication and positive team dynamics.
Consistently displays productive work habits.
Demonstrates accountability for actions and decisions in daily work.
Solicits and accepts feedback in a positive manner.
Offers constructive input to support the work unit.
Shows a commitment to provide the highest level of patient care.
Collects, labels, and prepares specimens for testing.
Maintains required documentation for all lab procedures.
Processes requisitions for testing.
Prepares and distributes reports.