Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee/1, Renton Central Lab: Microbiology
About The Position
UW Medicine’s Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology is hiring a Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee/1 for the Microbiology Team at the Renton Central Laboratory in Renton, Washington. The regional reference laboratory offers a diverse and complex test menu, modern instrumentation, and opportunities to collaborate with experienced laboratory professionals and develop technical expertise. This role performs and reports microbiology testing, including direct smears, organism identification, susceptibility testing, and serological procedures. The employee rotates through trained sections, operates and troubleshoots laboratory equipment, follows quality and reporting procedures, manages workloads, and supports training and evaluation of new tests or equipment. The position is 100% FTE, Wednesday through Sunday, on day shift. The role may be filled at the Trainee or MLS 1 level. Trainees must be eligible to take an applicable ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist or categorical certification examination within 18 months of hire. MLS 1 candidates must hold relevant certification and meet the stated experience requirement. The position is regular, with an hourly pay range of $38.46 to $56.73.
Requirements
- For the Trainee level: accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or equivalent education/experience.
- For the Trainee level: eligibility to take the Medical Laboratory Scientist or categorical certification examination from ASCP within 18 months from date of hire; failure to attain certification within that period may result in a recommendation for termination.
- For the MLS 1 level: accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or equivalent education/experience.
- For the MLS 1 level: current Medical Laboratory Scientist certification with ASCP or an equivalent certifying organization, or certification with a specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division.
- For the MLS 1 level: one year of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee; up to one year of on-the-job clinical testing experience in a Medical Laboratory Science Program externship may count.
- Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except where legal requirements such as licensure, certification, or registration apply.
Responsibilities
- Prepare, evaluate, and report direct smears, including Gram stains, KOH preps, Pneumocystis DFA stains, Auramine-O stains, Kinyoun stains, and Wright/Giemsa.
- Perform routine tests to identify bacteria, yeast, mold, and parasites according to laboratory protocols.
- Perform susceptibility tests, including disk diffusion, E-test, MIC, and other required methods, according to laboratory protocols.
- Perform serological procedures, including PCR, EIA, and latex agglutinations.
- Rotate through and maintain competency in all sections for which trained.
- Operate laboratory equipment and perform basic maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Use the laboratory information system and teach its use to others.
- Follow quality-control requirements and policies to validate results.
- Manage average workloads independently and request assistance when workloads are heavier.
- Perform work accurately and precisely; recognize, correct, and document errors.
- Interact professionally with health care providers.
- Identify critical or reportable results and report them according to policy to appropriate medical staff, epidemiology, or the Public Health Laboratory.
- Assist with evaluation of new tests and equipment and research projects as required.
- Instruct new employees, medical laboratory scientist students, medical students, residents, and fellows in routine procedures.
- Continue education and maintain certification through seminars, in-services, staff meetings, scientific journals, and participation in CAP proficiency surveys.
Benefits
- Monthly-accruing vacation and sick leave, including 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 public transit pass (U-PASS).
- Healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options.
- Fitness, healthy eating, finance, and stress reduction classes through Whole U.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
