Medical Lab Scientist

Lexington Medical Center • West Columbia, SC

2d

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) provides laboratory services for Lexington Medical Center inpatients and outpatients. The MLS ensures high-quality laboratory testing and accurate analysis to support patient outcomes, performing routine and specialty testing that provides timely, precise information for diagnosis and treatment. The role performs manual and automated laboratory testing and may collect blood specimens, including venipunctures and capillary punctures using developmentally appropriate techniques for patients of various ages. Work is performed in accordance with laboratory accreditation requirements, established laboratory procedures and policies, and Lexington Medical Center’s mission, vision, and strategic imperatives.

The MLS independently processes specimens and performs, evaluates, and monitors testing; calibrates and troubleshoots instruments; carries out quality control and maintenance; reviews results and records; recognizes and reports abnormal or critical findings; and maintains competency across assigned testing. The role also supports patient care, teamwork, communication, training, continuing education, and safe laboratory operations.

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.
• Actively hold Medical Laboratory Scientist (MT/MLS) certification through the ASCP Board of Certification or an equivalent state or governmental certification, including NCA, AMT, or AAB Board of Registry.
• National certification may be at the MLS level or a categorical certification 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.

Responsibilities

• Perform manual and automated laboratory testing, including routine and specialty testing.
• Collect patient specimens as required, including venipunctures and capillary punctures using developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Process laboratory specimens related to assigned departments.
• Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor test procedures independently using manual and/or instrumental techniques.
• Calibrate instruments, verify data against manufacturer specifications, perform routine quality control and preventive maintenance, and verify proper instrument operation.
• Recognize instrument malfunctions, take corrective action, troubleshoot equipment, communicate with service personnel, and document appropriately.
• Review patient and instrument data for accuracy and maintain records such as quality-control reports.
• Recognize abnormal results, correlate data with other test results or diagnoses, interpret results appropriately, and conduct follow-up action or seek assistance as needed.
• Notify appropriate personnel of abnormal, critical, and alert results in accordance with policy.
• Maintain competency for assigned waived, moderate, and high-complexity testing.
• Follow laboratory safety policies and procedures and provide patient care and support appropriate to patients’ cognitive, physical, and emotional needs.
• Perform assigned testing independently, multitask as needed, and promote teamwork within the department.
• Complete additional assignments such as inventorying supplies and writing or revising laboratory procedures, manuals, reports, and other documents.
• Review quality-control documents for outliers and trends, take appropriate action, and review abnormal-result, critical-value, overdue, and pending logs.
• Train new employees and students on technical procedures and equipment as assigned.
• Collaborate courteously and accurately with coworkers, nurses, physicians, other healthcare workers, administrators, patients, and families while following confidentiality policies.
• Inform personnel of circumstances that may affect testing quality and initiate appropriate follow-up.
• Facilitate learning for coworkers, students, and other members of the healthcare team and community.
• Maintain continuing-education requirements for national certification and Lexington Medical Center MLS-level requirements, and participate in teaching students and new employees in clinical settings.
• Recognize and incorporate individual differences into the provision of care.
• Question and evaluate testing procedures and methods and support improvements through research utilization and experiential learning.
• Apply clinical reasoning, decision-making, critical thinking, and informed experiential knowledge and skill.
• Ensure hazardous waste and hazardous-waste pharmaceuticals are properly discarded, stored, managed, labeled, and closed for offsite 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 effective day one.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Eligibility for enrollment in a 403(b) match plan on day one; Lexington Health 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.
• 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
• Career Level: Entry Level