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. This regional reference laboratory offers a broad and complex test menu, state-of-the-art instrumentation, and opportunities to develop technical expertise alongside experienced laboratory professionals. The position performs microbiology testing, including direct smear preparation and evaluation, organism identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and serological procedures. It operates and maintains laboratory equipment, applies quality control requirements, reports results, supports evaluation of new tests and equipment, and provides instruction to trainees and students. The schedule is 100% FTE, Tuesday through Saturday, on the evening shift. The role may be filled at the Trainee or MLS 1 level. Trainees must be eligible to take the relevant ASCP certification examination within 18 months of hire. MLS 1 candidates must hold applicable certification and have one year of experience as an MLS Trainee, with qualifying clinical testing experience from a Medical Laboratory Science Program externship potentially counting toward that requirement.
Requirements
- 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 ASCP certification examination within 18 months of hire. Failure to attain certification within 18 months may result in a recommendation for termination.
- 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
- Prepare, evaluate, and report direct smears, including Gram stains, KOH preps, Pneumocystis DFA stains, Auramine-O stains, Kinyoun stains, and Wright/Giemsa.
- Perform routine-bench tests to identify bacteria, yeast, mold, and parasites according to laboratory protocols.
- Perform susceptibility testing, 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 trained sections and maintain competency in each.
- Operate laboratory equipment and perform basic maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Use the laboratory information system and teach its use to others.
- Understand quality-control requirements and follow policies for validating 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 follow procedures for reporting them to appropriate medical staff, epidemiology, or the Public Health Laboratory.
- Assist with evaluation of new tests and equipment and with research projects as required.
- Instruct new employees, medical laboratory scientist students, medical students, residents, and fellows in routine procedures.
- Continue education and maintain certification by attending seminars, in-services, and staff meetings, reading scientific journals, and participating in CAP proficiency surveys.
Benefits
- Monthly-accruing vacation and sick time.
- 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 regional transportation options.
- Healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options.
- Free 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
