Medical Laboratory Scientist 2, HMC Point of Care Testing

University of Washington Medical Center • Seattle, WA

1d • $41 - $61 • Onsite

About The Position

UW Medicine’s Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology is hiring a Medical Laboratory Scientist 2: POCT Coordinator for the Point of Care Testing team at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. The role builds collaborative relationships with Patient Care Services to support the quality of the POCT Program and serves as a liaison and resource between the Clinical Laboratory and Patient/Ambulatory Care Services. It provides POCT staff with tools and resources to meet regulatory requirements.

The coordinator manages testing data, quality control and quality assurance activities, proficiency testing, staff education and competency support, method evaluations, troubleshooting, regulatory compliance, audits, and policy and procedure documentation. The position visits on-site and off-site testing locations as needed and shares responsibility for emergency coverage, overtime, on-call, and call-back needs.

This is a regular, 100% FTE position with a Monday–Friday day schedule. UW Medicine describes its work as collaborative and grounded in integrity and compassion, with a commitment to a respectful, welcoming environment.

Requirements

• Accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or equivalent education/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 licensure, certification, or registration, apply.

Responsibilities

• Manage electronic quality-control, result, and corrective-action data in data-management software; compile and distribute quality-control summaries to unit managers and nursing leadership.
• Maintain test menus for testing locations and staff training documentation in Learning Hub and paper or electronic checklists.
• Monitor TempTrak temperature and humidity readings at testing sites and assist with corrective-action plans.
• Place orders through Purchase Path, open UWIT tickets when warranted, track data in spreadsheets, use Excel pivot tables as needed, and register for and attend Learning Hub audiences as needed.
• Review quality-control data and monthly quality-assurance summaries, log sheets, or instrument downloads; conduct periodic site audits, including at off-site locations.
• Draft and distribute quality-control summaries and corrective-action recommendations to POCT managers and/or directors when regulatory standards are not met.
• Perform quality control on new reagent lots and shipments, notify departments when lots are cleared for distribution, and follow up on lots that cannot be released.
• Coordinate and distribute proficiency-testing surveys to POCT locations for each MTS License, prepare evaluations and reports, and provide corrective-action tools to testing staff and physicians when scores are unacceptable.
• Represent the department professionally and communicate respectfully, clearly, directly, and promptly, orally and in writing; maintain organized documentation and current expertise in procedures.
• Visit on-site and off-site POC testing locations for record review, troubleshooting, proficiency-testing delivery, supply delivery, audits, and training as needed.
• Assist with corrective-action plans, Learning Hub module reviews, competency exams, skills checklists, educational presentations, supporting documents, orientation, and competency validations as applicable.
• Support evaluations, validations, and correlation of new methods or instruments; assist with training and related procedure, policy, checklist, quality-control-log, and competency documents.
• Help staff troubleshoot quality-control, quality-assurance, method, and instrument problems; consult clinical engineering, Scientific Instruments, or vendors for ongoing issues.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations, including TJC, DOH, and CLIA; perform audits, communicate results, follow up on corrective actions, and assist with inspection preparation and responses.
• Report compliance issues to the POCT Leadership Committee and help maintain and review the procedure manual, policies, and procedures; suggest revisions and integrate new or revised procedures into the workplace.
• Follow established policies, procedures, and techniques; adapt to new routines, schedules, cross-coverage, and off-site coverage; share emergency coverage, overtime, on-call, and call-back needs.
• Participate in and support quality-assessment and improvement activities and remain receptive to new ideas and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned at POC locations.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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