Medical Lab Scientist (Day Shift) - New Northeast Emergency Department

Lexington Medical Center • Columbia, SC

1d • Onsite

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, and providing timely information for patient diagnosis and treatment. Responsibilities are carried out 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 developmentally appropriate techniques. The scientist independently performs assigned procedures, monitors test and instrument performance, maintains quality and safety standards, reviews and interprets results, reports critical or abnormal findings, and supports the training and learning of colleagues and students.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a nationally or internationally accredited educational institution, or current active Medical Laboratory Scientist (MT/MLS) certification in lieu of the degree.
• Active Medical Laboratory Scientist (MT/MLS) certification from ASCP Board of Certification or an equivalent state or governmental certifying body, including NCA, AMT, or AAB.
• Certification may be at the MLS level or a recognized clinical laboratory science categorical level; practice is limited to the category or categories listed for categorical certification.
• Registry-eligible candidates without active MT/MLS certification may be considered, but must obtain certification within one year of hire.
• Ability to perform assigned laboratory testing independently and maintain competency in assigned testing.
• Required training: none.

Responsibilities

• Perform manual and automated laboratory testing and process specimens for assigned departments.
• Collect patient specimens, including venipunctures and capillary punctures when required, using age-appropriate techniques.
• Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor test procedures independently using manual or instrumental techniques.
• Calibrate instruments, verify performance against manufacturer specifications, conduct quality control and preventative maintenance, and take corrective action when needed.
• Troubleshoot assigned equipment, communicate with service personnel, relay information to appropriate staff, and document actions.
• Review patient and instrument data for accuracy and maintain records, including quality-control reports.
• Recognize abnormal results, evaluate and correlate findings with other test results or diagnoses, take appropriate follow-up action, and seek assistance when necessary.
• Notify appropriate personnel of critical, alert, and other abnormal results according to policy.
• Maintain competency in assigned waived, moderate, and high-complexity testing.
• Follow laboratory safety policies and procedures and provide patient care appropriate to patients’ cognitive, physical, and emotional needs.
• Complete assigned testing independently, multitask as needed, and promote teamwork within the department.
• Complete additional assignments such as supply inventory and writing or revising procedures, manuals, reports, and other documents.
• Review quality-control documents for outliers and trends and take appropriate action; review abnormal-result, critical-value, overdue, and pending logs and communicate as appropriate.
• Train new employees and students on technical procedures and equipment as assigned.
• Collaborate with coworkers, nurses, physicians, other healthcare workers, administrators, patients, and families to support shared goals.
• Inform personnel of circumstances that may affect testing quality and initiate appropriate follow-up.
• Provide or refer appropriate explanations of test results when requested.
• Communicate courteously and accurately and follow confidentiality policies.
• Facilitate learning for coworkers, students, healthcare-team members, and the community; participate in teaching laboratory science students and new employees in a clinical setting.
• Maintain continuing-education requirements for national certification and Lexington Medical Center MLS-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 segregated, labeled, stored, closed, and managed for disposal; complete initial RCRA training within six months of hire and annual training thereafter.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time