Medical Laboratory Scientist Specialist, FT, Nights

Prisma Health•Columbia, SC

22h•Onsite

About The Position

Conducts or supports laboratory testing to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, ensuring proficiency and accuracy in all aspects of laboratory testing and following established policies and procedures. The role applies professional medical technology knowledge to laboratory tests, including broad knowledge of testing methodologies and quality assurance procedures and specialized knowledge of disease states and the clinical significance of tests. The specialist meets CLIA requirements for General Supervisor responsibilities in assessing competency for high-complexity testing and Technical Consultant responsibilities in assessing competency for moderate-complexity testing. This non-management position performs and reports testing across waived, moderate, and high-complexity procedures; reviews pending work; monitors quality control, quality management, supplies, and reagent inventory; and maintains regulatory compliance, specimen integrity, and a safe working environment. The specialist may assume responsibility for section operations in the supervisor’s absence, serve as General Supervisor or Technical Consultant, instruct and educate colleagues and customers, and operate, maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation. The position reports to a supervisor, manager, director, or executive.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemical, biological, clinical, or medical laboratory science, or medical technology, from an accredited institution.
Two years of post-training technical experience in high- and moderate-complexity testing.
Meet CLIA training and experience requirements, including requirements defined in 42 CFR 493.1423 and 42 CFR 493.1489.
Demonstrated mastery of medical technology principles, concepts, and methods, evidenced by successful completion of one of the following certifications: MT (ASCP), MLS (ASCP)cm, Categorical (ASCP), Categorical (ASCP)cm, MT (AMT), MLS (ASCPi), or Categorical (ASCPi).
State Medical Technologist license, required for team members working in Tennessee.
Organizational skills.
Ability to prioritize tasks appropriately.
Computer skills.
In lieu of a bachelor’s degree: 60 semester hours from an accredited institution, including either 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses or 24 semester hours of science courses consisting of six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination; and laboratory training through an ABHES- or CAAHEP-approved or accredited clinical laboratory training program, which may be included in the 60 semester hours, or at least three months of documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high-complexity testing.
Foreign degrees must be deemed acceptable following evaluation as outlined by the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

Responsibilities

Perform and report waived, moderate, and high-complexity laboratory test results according to standard operating procedures.
Apply medical technology principles and professional knowledge to conduct accurate testing and solve problems or escalate them appropriately.
Operate computerized laboratory data systems and applications, and review pending work using established protocols.
Complete required continuing education and six-month and annual competency assessments; participate in or oversee proficiency testing as assigned.
Monitor quality control and quality management, evaluate and investigate variances, notify the appropriate individual of unresolved issues, and perform lookbacks when required.
Monitor supply and reagent inventory, document supply receipt and opening, track expiration dates, and use laboratory resources efficiently.
Comply with governmental and accrediting standards and conditions, and perform competency assessments in accordance with regulatory standards.
Assume responsibility for section operations in the supervisor’s absence and serve as General Supervisor or Technical Consultant.
Instruct students, new team members, laboratory support staff, and hospital personnel in procedures, techniques, and theory.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment and respond promptly to safety violations.
Collect, label, handle, and process specimens according to policy; verify patient, specimen, and result identification and evaluate specimen integrity.
Recognize customer satisfaction issues and respond or escalate appropriately; educate and support laboratory customers.
Communicate information, including critical values, to healthcare team members and complete required documentation.
Support system and campus financial, customer service, and quality initiatives; complete team assignments and contribute to work-unit action plans and department goals.
Operate laboratory instrumentation; establish standards and write instructions for instrument and equipment calibration or standardization.
Identify potential issues and equipment malfunctions, investigate and resolve technical problems, troubleshoot with appropriate individuals or service representatives, and document actions.
Perform and document instrumentation maintenance and operational or function checks.
Perform other duties as assigned.