Medical Laboratory Scientist, Sr.

UVA Community Health•Manassas, VA

6d•$33 - $51

About The Position

The Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist performs quality control and complex patient testing while maintaining competency in routine, specialized, and assigned laboratory areas. The position verifies and reports results according to departmental policy, reports and documents critical values, correlates results with other patient information, and prioritizes workload to meet turnaround-time expectations. It also supports inventory management, proper reagent handling, and the safe use and disposal of supplies. The role performs and documents scheduled routine and complex equipment maintenance, troubleshoots instrument malfunctions, coordinates repairs, and completes procedures needed to return equipment to service. It serves as a team leader and may fill in as Operations Supervisor, helping assess workflow and staffing and facilitate transitions between shifts. As directed, the scientist coordinates product, method, or new-test development and contributes to quality assurance, safety, compliance, process improvement, and technical or operational projects. The senior scientist serves as a technical resource, responds to staff questions, helps investigate and resolve problems, and handles customer complaints professionally. The role trains, mentors, and evaluates staff, students, and healthcare professionals, documenting training and supervising trainees during laboratory testing and result reporting. Organizational duties include maintaining patient and employee privacy, communicating professionally, supporting internal and external customers, participating in performance improvement, and contributing to a safe, inclusive, and collaborative workplace. Patient-care tasks include collecting, labeling, and preparing specimens, maintaining procedure documentation, processing test requisitions, and preparing and distributing reports. Additional duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university 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, a bachelor’s degree with the specified coursework and experience pathways described in the posting.
Three years of experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
Technologist/Scientist certification from ASCP or AMT-MT.
Required licensure in one or more of the listed areas: BB, C, H, MT/MLS, M, or MB.
ASCP-certified individuals beginning January 1, 2004 must participate in and maintain ASCP Board of Certification status 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 and testing, quality-control checks, and instrument troubleshooting.
Skill in performing a full range of laboratory tests; anticipating and calmly responding to emergencies; developing and maintaining department quality assurance; and establishing effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, hospital staff, and the public.
Ability to read and understand laboratory instrumentation information, follow written protocols, work independently, and communicate clearly.
Adhere to workplace and trade safety requirements, perform quality-control testing and equipment maintenance, and perform duties in preparation for inspections.
Perform competency and proficiency testing and complete educational activities to maintain and improve skills.
Physical ability to meet the stated medium-to-heavy demands: constant standing, frequent walking and bending or stooping, proficient communication, auditory and visual skills, attention to detail, legible writing, and ability to lift, push, or pull up to 100 pounds; use safe-handling equipment for weights over 35 pounds.
May be required to use safety equipment such as a HEPA mask for infection prevention; on-call responsibilities and travel between campus buildings, remote facilities, and out of town may be required.

Responsibilities

Perform quality control and complex patient testing in routine, specialized, and assigned laboratory areas; report results according to departmental policy.
Report and document critical values, verify results using clinical correlation, and manage workload to meet expected turnaround times.
Maintain competency and acquire new skills as laboratory technologies change.
Use supplies and reagents correctly; assess inventory levels and support continuity of operations through appropriate inventory management.
Receive, store, and verify reagent quality before use, follow manufacturer and procedural instructions, and dispose of reagents and supplies according to safety guidelines.
Perform and document scheduled routine and complex equipment maintenance; troubleshoot malfunctions, initiate and document corrective steps, coordinate service or repairs, and complete instrument re-entry procedures.
Serve as a team leader and fill the Operations Supervisor role as needed; assess workflow and staffing, initiate corrective actions when appropriate, and facilitate smooth shift transitions.
Coordinate and implement product, method, or new-test development as directed; restock workstations and identify specimen-status trends or issues and implement corrective action.
Conduct peer interviews fairly and consistently.
Lead quality assurance monitoring and improvement efforts; promptly report and investigate quality issues; submit process-improvement suggestions; and apply compliance guidelines to testing and reporting.
Help maintain a safe laboratory environment and 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, handle customer complaints, and communicate unresolved problems to appropriate personnel.
Train, mentor, and model professional behavior for staff, students, and healthcare professionals; provide consultation and career-development support as requested.
Use onboarding and appropriate training methods, explain procedures accurately, complete training documentation, assess trainees constructively, and supervise trainees during testing and result reporting.
Communicate professionally, maintain privacy, support internal and external customers, foster effective working relationships, and contribute to an inclusive and collaborative workplace.
Participate in performance-improvement activities, diagnose and resolve problems, support team members, maintain productive work habits, and demonstrate accountability.
Collect, label, and prepare specimens; maintain laboratory procedure documentation; process test requisitions; and prepare and distribute reports.
Perform additional duties as assigned.