Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead, UWMC Northwest Lab

University of Washington • Seattle, WA

7d

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead performs routine clinical laboratory testing used to screen, diagnose, and treat pathological conditions across Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Microbiology, Urinalysis, and transfusion medicine. The Lead works with departmental managers on quality control reviews, lot verifications, procedure editing, safety and quality assurance, competency development, analytical measurement range and linearity studies, LIS testing, and CAP/CMS requirements. The role also supports laboratory operations, training, quality initiatives, and preparation for inspections.

The position is 100% FTE on the night shift, with the work schedule to be discussed with the hiring manager. The role is based at the University of Washington Medical Center Northwest Laboratory.

Requirements

• Accredited bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, or equivalent education/experience.
• Medical Laboratory Science certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology or equivalent, or certification from a specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division.
• Three years of professional experience, including one year as a Medical Laboratory Scientist 2 or equivalent.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except where legal requirements, such as licensure, certification, or registration, apply.

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical laboratory testing across Hematology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Microbiology, and Urinalysis, including appropriate sample processing and interventions.
• Recognize reportable-range issues, critical results, and urgent results; communicate results to providers within the expected timeframe and document communications in the LIS, including read-back or reasons for no read-back.
• Run and evaluate quality control, enter QC results into the LIS or applicable monitoring system, and perform assigned quality assurance work.
• Organize and perform research-sample validation, carryover studies, and validation of new instrumentation and assays as appropriate.
• Perform bench maintenance, triage samples in middleware, interpret flags, determine whether results are reportable, validate middleware results, and perform manual testing and result reporting in the LIS.
• Perform manual procedures such as differentials, urine microscopy, Gram staining and slide interpretation, body-fluid counts and analysis, manual hematocrit testing, and specified kit tests; make and analyze cytospin preparations.
• Identify and differentiate normal and abnormal cell morphology, blood and nucleated cells, urine elements, and microbiological elements using microscopes.
• Train students and new employees in assigned bench tasks; act as a resource for trainees and staff, provide peer-review feedback, coordinate educational programs, and support competency and retraining initiatives.
• Replenish reagents, manage inventory and supplies, prepare and document reagents, controls, and standards, and update instruments with new lot parameters when appropriate.
• Perform analyzer maintenance and troubleshoot technical issues, following up with departmental managers as needed.
• Retrieve stored samples, slides, reagents, and other materials for review; cancel and credit results, notify providers of canceled tests, and request additional testing as needed.
• Recognize and manage mislabeled specimens, and identify when consultation with a Lab Medical Resident may be needed.
• Use transfusion medicine electronic information systems; process specimens; monitor blood-component storage temperatures; maintain and troubleshoot transfusion equipment; retrieve, tag, release, thaw, return, or quarantine components as appropriate.
• Respond to transfusion emergencies, expedite product provision, document thoroughly, and communicate component readiness, turnaround expectations, and transfusion review information to clinical teams.
• Collaborate with colleagues and clinical teams, maintain a positive work environment, follow laboratory safety procedures, use appropriate PPE, and dispose of hazardous chemical and biohazardous waste according to SOPs.
• Maintain competency in assigned departments and the LIS, demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving, and provide workflow, procedure, and competency feedback to staff.
• Write and edit procedures as needed and work with managers on QC reviews, lot verifications, safety and QA assignments, competency development, AMR and linearity studies, LIS testing, and CAP/CMS requirements.
• Organize monitoring and identification of key performance indicators, assist with CAP inspection preparation, and help document and follow up on CAP proficiency-testing failures.

Benefits

• Vacation and sick leave 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 participating colleges or universities.
• Fully subsidized U-PASS public transit pass.
• 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: Senior