Medical Laboratory Scientist 2, HMC Microbiology Laboratory

University of Washington • Seattle, WA

3d

About The Position

UW Medicine’s Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology is hiring a Medical Laboratory Scientist 2 for the Microbiology Team at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. HMC is Washington’s only designated Level 1 adult and pediatric trauma center and verified burn center, serving vulnerable and underserved populations. The Microbiology team performs mycobacteriology testing for HMC patients and clients throughout Washington. Testing includes acid-fast bacilli smears, Mycobacterium tuberculosis PCR, organism identification, and susceptibility testing. The laboratory coordinates with infection control, infectious diseases, and public health laboratories to provide timely, accurate results.

In addition to performing all duties of an MLS 1, the MLS 2 supports the Manager and MLS Leads with staff and student education, training, performance feedback, and daily operations. The role exercises technical judgment in testing and quality processes, supports staff and clients, and contributes to the development and evaluation of laboratory procedures.

This is a regular, 100% FTE position on the day shift, Monday through Friday, with rotating weekends and holidays. The position is represented by SEIU Local 925 Healthcare Prof/Lab Tech. Pay ranges from $41.26 to $60.82 per hour.

Requirements

• Accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science, or equivalent education and experience.
• Current Medical Laboratory Scientist certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or an equivalent certifying organization, or certification from a specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division.
• Two years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 or equivalent experience.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except where legal requirements, such as certification or registration, apply.

Responsibilities

• Recognize, troubleshoot, correct, and document problems associated with patient testing, quality control, and preventive maintenance.
• Assist with instruction and training for employees, post-doctoral fellows, residents, medical students, and medical technology students, and provide timely evaluation feedback.
• Participate in continuing education activities and keep ASCP or other certifications current according to the relevant organization’s guidelines.
• Assist in developing and evaluating new procedures and processes and assess the relevance and accuracy of existing procedures and processes.
• Review staff work to ensure reports are correct and clinically relevant; ensure corrected reports and corrective actions are completed and documented promptly.
• Consult with healthcare providers about critical or abnormal findings.
• Use information management systems to accession, status, verify, and reject orders, and enter test results into the laboratory information system.
• Ensure critical values, STAT results, courtesy notifications, and routine results are reported according to protocols, with appropriate turnaround times and complete documentation.
• Ensure quality-control standards and competencies are met and documented, and ensure preventive maintenance is performed according to protocols, assisting staff as needed.
• Troubleshoot methods and instrumentation.
• Provide daily leadership when designated and assist with daily staff operations, including workload management, technical assistance, responding to inquiries and complaints, safety compliance, and minimizing overtime.
• Participate in improving current processes and procedures.
• Provide administrative assistance, including interviewing and selecting employees, evaluating employees, documenting staff competencies, and recommending cost-containment strategies.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, which may include scheduling, purchasing supplies, and quality-improvement projects.
• Provide care or other services using knowledge and skills appropriate to patients’ age-related physical, psychosocial, educational, and safety needs.
• Perform all duties of an MLS 1 and related duties as required.

Benefits

• Monthly accruing vacation and sick time.
• 12 paid holidays.
• State Employee Tuition Exemption Program covering up to 6 credits of qualifying coursework per quarter at the University of Washington or participating colleges and universities.
• Fully subsidized U-PASS public transit pass covering multiple regional transportation options.
• Healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options.
• Free fitness, healthy eating, finance, and stress-reduction classes through Whole U.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level