Medical Lab Scientist

Lexington Medical Center • Chapin, SC

2d

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) provides laboratory services for inpatient and outpatient healthcare consumers. The role supports patient outcomes by ensuring high-quality laboratory testing and accurate analysis, performing routine and specialty testing to provide timely, precise information for diagnosis and treatment. Work is conducted in accordance with Lexington Medical Center’s mission, vision, and strategic imperatives.

The MLS performs manual and automated testing, processes specimens, and may collect blood specimens through venipuncture or capillary puncture using techniques appropriate to patients’ ages and needs. The scientist carries out testing in line with laboratory accreditation requirements and established procedures, independently evaluates test performance and results, maintains instruments and quality-control records, identifies abnormal or critical results, and follows required notification procedures. The role also includes supporting patient care, teamwork, training colleagues and students, continuing education, and proper handling of hazardous waste.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a nationally or internationally accredited educational institution, or current active Medical Laboratory Scientist (MT/MLS) certification may be considered in lieu of the degree.
• Active Medical Laboratory Scientist (MT/MLS) certification from the ASCP Board of Certification or an equivalent state or governmental certification, including NCA, AMT, or AAB.
• Certification may be at the MLS level or categorical in a recognized clinical laboratory science discipline; practice with categorical certification is limited to the category or categories listed by the certifying board.
• Registry-eligible candidates without active MT/MLS certification may be considered but must obtain certification within one year of hire; those who fail to obtain it must hold certification before reapplying.
• Ability to perform assigned laboratory testing and maintain competency in the applicable testing categories.
• Ability to communicate and work collaboratively with healthcare workers, patients, and families.

Responsibilities

• Perform manual and automated laboratory testing, including routine and specialty tests.
• Collect patient specimens as required, including venipuncture and capillary puncture using developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Process laboratory specimens for assigned departments.
• Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor test procedures independently using manual and instrumental techniques.
• Calibrate instruments, verify performance against manufacturer specifications, conduct quality control and preventative maintenance, and confirm correct instrument operation.
• Recognize instrument malfunctions, perform corrective action and troubleshooting, contact service when needed, and document actions appropriately.
• Review patient and instrument data for accuracy and maintain records, including quality-control reports.
• Recognize abnormal results, evaluate and correlate results with other test data or diagnoses, interpret results appropriately, and take required follow-up action.
• Notify appropriate personnel of abnormal, critical, or alert results according to policy.
• Maintain competency in assigned waived, moderate, and high complexity testing.
• Follow laboratory and LMC safety policies and procedures.
• Provide patient care and support appropriate to patients’ cognitive, physical, and emotional needs.
• Perform assigned testing independently, multitask as necessary, and promote teamwork.
• Complete additional assignments such as supply inventory and writing or revising laboratory procedures, manuals, reports, and other documents.
• Review quality-control documents for outliers and trends and take appropriate action; review abnormal results, critical values, overdue logs, and pending logs and communicate as appropriate.
• Train new employees and students on technical procedures and equipment as assigned.
• Work collaboratively with coworkers, nurses, physicians, other healthcare workers, administration, patients, and families.
• Inform personnel of circumstances that could affect testing quality and initiate appropriate follow-up.
• Provide or refer appropriate information when test-result interpretation or explanation is requested.
• Communicate courteously and accurately and follow confidentiality policies.
• Facilitate learning for coworkers, students, healthcare team members, and the community, including teaching students and new employees in a clinical setting.
• Maintain continuing education requirements for national certification and MLS LMC level requirements.
• Recognize and incorporate individual differences into the provision of care.
• Question and evaluate testing procedures and methods and support changes through research utilization and experiential learning.
• Apply clinical reasoning, decision-making, critical thinking, and experiential knowledge.
• Ensure hazardous waste and hazardous waste pharmaceuticals are properly separated, labeled, closed, stored, managed, and prepared for offsite disposal.
• Complete initial RCRA training within six months of hire and annual RCRA training thereafter.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and life insurance benefits effective day one.
• Healthcare and dependent-care flexible spending accounts.
• Eligibility to enroll in the 403(b) match plan on day one; LHI matches dollar for dollar up to 6%.
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to one times salary.
• Optional supplemental life insurance at low-cost premiums, up to three times salary.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage for full-time employees after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Student loan forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time