Medical Laboratory Scientist - Per Diem

New York Oncology Hematology•Albany, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for accurately performing specimen analysis, instrument maintenance, and quality control procedures, including moderate and high complexity laboratory tests. The role involves adhering to quality assurance and safety policies, performing specimen collection, assisting with patient flow, and training employees in laboratory procedures. The Medical Laboratory Scientist may act as a primary operator for laboratory instruments, serve as a resource for laboratory science information, and potentially oversee daily laboratory activities in the absence of a supervisor. The role performs clinical tests crucial for disease diagnosis and treatment, requiring strong clinical thinking and technical skills to assess results and ensure equipment accuracy. The position operates within standard operating procedures and quality guidelines, performing and monitoring specialized diagnostic tests.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in medical technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or related health care field OR Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university with a major in biological science or chemistry with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry, which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the baccalaureate degree.
Current state license if required.
4-year degree candidates are required to take Hematology and/or Chemistry exam after 1 year of completion of training.
Licensure and certification requirements depend on the state.
Except for grandfathered situations, bachelor’s degree in medical technology required.

Nice To Haves

AMT, ASCP or equivalent certification preferred.
Lab experience is preferred.
Experience with moderate and high complexity laboratory testing.
Experience with specimen collection, instrument maintenance, and quality control procedures.
Experience with phlebotomy and specimen collection.
Experience with Chemistry, Hematology and Immunology specimen analysis.
Experience with laboratory equipment maintenance and operation.
Experience with quality control policies and documentation.
Experience with proficiency testing.
Experience preparing peripheral blood smears and performing WBC differentials.
Experience performing microscopic examination of urinary sediment.
Experience processing specimens for send-out testing.
Experience identifying and correcting test system performance issues.
Experience maintaining laboratory documentation.
Experience verifying critical results.
Experience maintaining supply inventory and preparing reagents.
Experience training employees in laboratory procedures.
Experience acting as a primary operator for laboratory instruments.
Experience participating in the development of new instruments and procedures.
Experience acting as a resource for laboratory science information.
Experience overseeing daily laboratory activities.
Experience complying with quality assurance standards, OSHA compliance laws, Universal Precaution procedures, and applicable regulatory agency standards.
Experience properly disposing of hazardous materials.
Experience maintaining a clean working environment.
Experience maintaining confidentiality of patient and medical staff information.

Responsibilities

Assists with performing phlebotomy and collecting appropriate specimens from patients as ordered.
Assures pre-authorization and completes appropriate consent forms (ABN) prior to collection of limited coverage tests.
Assists with special procedures as needed (i.e. bone marrows in the room).
Follows the laboratory’s procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting, and maintaining records of patient results.
Performs specimen analysis of all Chemistry, Hematology and Immunology specimens.
Maintains and operates all laboratory equipment.
Performs daily, weekly and monthly instrument maintenance as indicated.
Adheres to the laboratory’s quality control policies and documents all QC activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and instrument maintenance.
Records proper lot numbers of all controls, calibrators, and reagents.
Participates in proficiency testing by performing sample analysis and reporting results at least once a year.
Prepares peripheral blood smear and competently performs complete WBC differential on normal and abnormal smears.
Performs microscopic examination of urinary sediment.
Records results on appropriate worksheet and computer system and performs file maintenance.
Processes specimens for send-out testing.
Follows the laboratory’s policies whenever test systems are not within the laboratory’s established acceptable levels of performance.
Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either corrects the problem or notifies supervisor.
Documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications.
Maintains proper documentation as described by the quality assurance program including accessioning logs, test report logs, quality control logs, equipment records and checklists.
Verifies all critical results and documents with accurate follow-up.
Maintains adequate inventory of supplies and ensures that all supplies are viable before using in patient testing.
Prepares reagents, stains and other chemical solutions as needed.
Restocks the laboratory area as needed.
Sends specimens to reference laboratories for any testing not performed in house.
Processes incoming orders for lab testing including reference laboratory specimens.
Processes in-house and in-coming results for charting.
Charts patient results in a timely manner as needed.
Properly identify and band patients for blood product transfusion.
Processes properly labeled specimens according to local bloodbank policy.
Trains employees in laboratory procedures.
May act as primary operator for at least one laboratory instrument.
Participates in development of new instruments and procedures as needed.
Acts as a resource for laboratory science information.
May oversee daily laboratory activities of in the absence of supervisor.
Complies with quality assurance standards.
Adheres to all OSHA compliance laws and Universal Precaution procedures.
Complies with applicable regulatory agency standards.
Properly disposes of hazardous materials.
Maintains a clean working environment.
Maintains confidentially of all information related to patients and medical staff.
Performs CLIA classified Moderate and High complexity testing with minimal supervision.