Medical Laboratory Scientist, Sr.

UVA Health•Gainesville, VA

About The Position

Performs quality control and complex patient testing, develops and maintains competency in routine, specialized, and assigned laboratory areas, and reports results in accordance with departmental policies. The position requires clinical correlation of results with other patient information, timely reporting of critical values, and workload prioritization to meet turnaround-time expectations. The incumbent maintains and expands skills as technology changes and manages laboratory supplies and reagents to support operational continuity. Performs advanced equipment troubleshooting and maintenance, documents scheduled maintenance, identifies and resolves instrument malfunctions, and coordinates repairs when needed. Serves as a team leader and may fill in as Operations Supervisor, assessing workflow and staffing and initiating corrective actions. Coordinates product, method, or new-test development as directed, and identifies and addresses specimen-status trends and issues. Leads quality assurance monitoring and participates in quality, safety, compliance, and process-improvement activities. Serves as an expert resource for technical and analytical questions, assists with problem resolution, and handles customer complaints professionally. Trains, mentors, and supports laboratory staff, students, and healthcare professionals, documenting training and supervising trainees during laboratory testing and reporting. The role also includes patient-care support such as collecting, labeling, and preparing specimens; maintaining laboratory documentation; processing testing requisitions; and preparing and distributing reports. The incumbent is expected to communicate professionally, protect patient and employee privacy, support internal and external customers, collaborate with colleagues, and demonstrate UVA Community Health’s organizational values.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or a chemical, physical, or biological science, or equivalent, and successful completion of a NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Science program; alternatively, one of the specified bachelor’s-degree and laboratory-experience pathways described in the posting.
Three years of experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
Technologist/Scientist certification from ASCP or AMT-MT; listed certification categories include BB, C, H, MT/MLS, M, and MB.
ASCP-certified individuals beginning January 1, 2004 must participate in and maintain ASCP Board of Certification through the Certification Maintenance Program; AMT-certified individuals beginning January 1, 2006 must participate in and maintain AMT certification through the Certification Continuation Program.
Knowledge of current medical terminology, laboratory equipment, testing, quality control, and instrumentation troubleshooting.
Skill in performing a full range of laboratory tests; anticipating and responding calmly to emergencies; developing and maintaining departmental quality assurance; and maintaining effective working relationships.
Ability to read and understand information about laboratory instrumentation, follow written protocols, work independently, and communicate clearly.
Ability to perform quality control testing, equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting; follow safety policies and regulatory requirements; and perform duties in preparation for inspections.
Ability to cooperate with a team, provide information and consultation, support other staff, communicate professionally with co-workers, and participate in staff meetings.
Ability to perform competency and proficiency testing, complete educational activities, and participate in improvement of methods and processes.
Physical ability to stand constantly, walk frequently, and bend or stoop; proficient communication, auditory, and visual skills; attention to detail; and ability to write legibly.
Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 100 pounds; Safe Handling Equipment must be used for weights over 35 pounds.
May be required to use safety equipment such as a HEPA mask for infection prevention; on-call responsibilities may be assigned; travel between campus buildings, remote facilities, and out of town may be required.

Responsibilities

Perform quality control and complex patient testing and report results in accordance with departmental policies.
Report and document critical values according to medical laboratory policy.
Correlate test results with other known patient parameters during result verification.
Prioritize and manage workload to meet expected turnaround times.
Maintain competency in laboratory areas and develop new skills as technologies change.
Assess inventory levels; receive, store, and verify reagent quality; use and dispose of reagents and supplies according to applicable instructions and safety guidelines.
Perform and document routine and complex equipment maintenance and advanced troubleshooting; report malfunctions and coordinate technical service or repairs as needed.
Perform processes required to return instruments to service after malfunctions.
Serve as a team leader and fill the Operations Supervisor role as needed; facilitate shift transitions and assess workflow and staffing when acting in that capacity.
Coordinate and implement product, method, or new-test development as directed.
Restock workstations and identify and address specimen-status trends and issues.
Conduct fair and standardized peer interviews.
Lead quality assurance monitoring and initiate quality, safety, and compliance activities; report and investigate quality issues and submit process-improvement suggestions.
Coordinate or participate in technical and operational studies and projects.
Serve as an expert resource for analytical and technical questions; assist staff and management with problem investigation and resolution, review documentation, and communicate unresolved issues.
Handle customer complaints professionally and promptly.
Train, mentor, and serve as a role model for laboratory staff, students, and healthcare professionals; select appropriate training methods, document training, assess trainees, and supervise trainees during testing and reporting.
Communicate professionally, maintain privacy, support internal and external customers, foster positive working relationships, and participate in performance-improvement activities.
Collect, label, and prepare specimens for testing; maintain required procedure documentation; process requisitions; and prepare and distribute reports.
Schedule time off to avoid disrupting workflow and assist colleagues to support team operations.