Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee/1, Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics

University of Washington • Renton, WA

12d • $38 - $57 • Onsite

About The Position

UW Medicine’s Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology is hiring a Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee/1 for the Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics at the Renton Central Laboratory in Seattle, Washington. The role supports the clinical mission by performing infectious disease diagnostic testing and helping clinicians make timely, informed treatment decisions. Testing covers microbiology, virology, molecular diagnostics, microscopy, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

The successful candidate will perform and interpret laboratory tests, recognize and communicate unusual, discrepant, or critical findings, and help maintain quality, safety, and regulatory standards. The position also contributes to troubleshooting, instrument maintenance, procedure and assay development, quality improvement, and training of laboratory personnel. The division emphasizes collaboration, scientific curiosity, accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.

This is a regular, 100% FTE night-shift position, scheduled Sunday through Thursday with rotating holidays. The hourly pay range is $38.46–$56.73.

Requirements

• For the MLS Trainee level: an accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or equivalent education/experience.
• For the MLS Trainee level: eligibility to take the ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist or categorical certification examination within 18 months of hire; failure to obtain certification within that period may result in a recommendation for termination.
• For the MLS 1 level: an accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or equivalent education/experience.
• For the MLS 1 level: current Medical Laboratory Scientist certification from ASCP or an equivalent certifying organization, or certification from 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 toward this requirement.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except where legal requirements such as licensure, certification, or registration apply.

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical infectious disease diagnostic testing according to established procedures, regulatory requirements, and laboratory quality standards.
• Prepare, evaluate, and report direct smears and stains, including Gram, KOH, Pneumocystis DFA, acridine orange, Kinyoun, and Wright/Giemsa stains.
• Perform routine testing to identify bacteria, yeast, and parasites.
• Perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing, including disk diffusion, Etest, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and other approved methods as applicable.
• Perform serological and molecular testing, including latex agglutination, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
• Operate laboratory equipment and instrumentation, including automated blood culture systems, mass spectrometry instruments, automated susceptibility testing systems, BioFire systems, Cepheid GeneXpert systems, microscopes, biological safety cabinets, and Anoxomat systems.
• Record, evaluate, and interpret test results; respond appropriately to unusual, discrepant, or critical findings and communicate them to appropriate laboratory or clinical personnel.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and evaluating laboratory procedures and processes, and troubleshoot testing, instrumentation, and workflow issues.
• Calibrate, operate, troubleshoot, and perform or assist with preventive maintenance of instruments and related equipment.
• Perform and document quality control activities, monitor performance for trends and shifts, investigate failures, participate in corrective actions, and maintain quality assurance compliance using electronic QC systems.
• Use computer applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel, and other software for laboratory operations, analysis, documentation, and reporting.
• Use the laboratory information system, discipline-specific middleware, and institutional computer systems for results entry and review, data acquisition, quality control, and workflow management.
• Participate in orientation, instruction, and training of new employees, post-doctoral fellows, residents, students, and other laboratory personnel as assigned.
• Serve as a technical resource to laboratory personnel, including Clinical Laboratory Technicians and Specimen Processing Technicians, within the scope of training, competency, and procedures.
• Assist with designing, developing, validating, implementing, and evaluating laboratory procedures, assays, processes, and workflow improvements.
• Prepare, evaluate, and verify the quality and performance of reagents, standards, calibrators, and control materials.
• Maintain professional competency and continuing education in accordance with applicable certification organization and institutional guidelines.
• Participate in quality improvement, regulatory compliance, safety, and accreditation activities as assigned.
• Perform other related duties required to support the division’s operations and mission.

Benefits

• Vacation and sick time 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 and universities.
• Fully subsidized U-PASS public transit pass covering multiple forms of regional public transportation.
• Healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options.
• Fitness, healthy eating, finance, and stress-reduction classes through Whole U.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level