Medical Laboratory Scientist II (MLS)

Hillsboro Medical Center•Hillsboro, OR

1d•$41 - $59

About The Position

The Medical Technologist II/Medical Laboratory Scientist performs routine and complex laboratory tests at a professional level, providing data used to diagnose, evaluate, and treat human illnesses and diseases in one or more laboratory sections. The role applies independent judgment and critical thinking to technical problems, assists with test development, monitors quality control, participates in training, and fulfills charge technologist duties when laboratory management is absent. The position maintains quality and competency standards, reviews and evaluates results before verification, keeps laboratory procedures and work areas current, communicates urgent results, and troubleshoots instrumentation and specimen issues. When acting as lead technologist, the employee supports staff, documents issues, and resolves scheduling concerns. Relocation assistance is available up to $15,000. The stated pay range is $40.79 to $59.17 per hour.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or a chemical, physical, or biological science. If the degree is outside those science disciplines, at least two years of laboratory training or experience, or both, in high-complexity testing is required in lieu of the specified degree.
Provide a copy of the highest science-related academic diploma or transcript upon hire.
Three years of previous hospital experience as a Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist.
If Microbiology bench competencies are required, three recent years of clinical Microbiology experience as a Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist.
Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) by the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) or a nationally recognized equivalent approved by Laboratory Administration, required before an employment offer.
Ability to meet CLIA standards for high-complexity testing.
For Medical Technologists initially ASCP-certified after January 1, 2004, participation in the ASCP BOC Certification Maintenance Program, with three-year renewal, is required. Those certified before January 1, 2004 must be active and are certified for life.
Flexibility and willingness to support Laboratory staffing to meet patient-care needs.
Knowledge and skills through experience and/or training to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served in the job.
Effective communication skills.
Professional personal appearance that makes a good first impression.
Ability to look for ways to improve customer service.
Ability to keep abreast of new computer functions, computer use, and computer and printer changes relevant to the work.
Current employees must be in good standing, with no plan of action developed within the past 12 months.

Nice To Haves

Cross-trained and maintaining competency as a generalist with Microbiology and/or Blood Bank competencies to provide coverage as needed, or as a specialist in Microbiology and/or Blood Bank.
Lead Technologist experience responsible for department operations in Hematology, Microbiology, Blood Bank, or Chemistry sections of the core Laboratory.
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Perform and evaluate quality-control testing according to departmental policies and procedures.
Participate in training new staff in general laboratory practice and the employee’s primary area of expertise.
Participate in competency oversight of staff in the primary area of expertise.
Complete competency testing through CAP and/or quality-control performance, including annual peer observation of technique in scheduled areas.
Keep current with policy and procedure changes; provide input to and directly review or update procedures for final review by Medical and Lab Directors.
Maintain the work center, keeping it clean and stocked, and prepare or replace reagents as needed; receive, log, and stock supplies.
Prioritize and evaluate results before verification, including assessment of critical limits, delta checks, method linearity, and result plausibility; document follow-up when needed.
Communicate results requiring immediate or prompt attention to physicians or nurses and follow up with the pathologist in a timely manner.
As lead technologist, address staff problems and questions or contact laboratory management, document issues for management, and resolve scheduling issues related to absences.
Participate fairly and honestly in peer review, both as reviewer and reviewed.
Maintain competency in each testing area and participate in proficiency testing whenever possible.
Troubleshoot instrumentation problems to restore instrument use as quickly as possible.
When necessary, log specimens into the LIS, assess specimen acceptability, and resolve issues involving unacceptable or improperly labeled specimens.