Medical Laboratory Scientist

Fairview Health Services • Minneapolis, MN

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Fairview is seeking a Medical Laboratory Scientist to join the Acute Care Laboratory at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center-West Bank. This is a full-time, 1.0 FTE evening-shift position from 2:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m., including three of every six weekends. The role is eligible for a shift incentive bonus of up to $1,000 paid every six months, prorated based on FTE.

The Acute Care Laboratories support testing in hematology, chemistry, blood gas, coagulation, urinalysis, transfusion medicine, and blood collection and processing. The West Bank laboratory serves pediatric and adult patients and is staffed 24/7 by a team of 100 professionals.

The Medical Laboratory Scientist independently performs the major responsibilities of professional laboratory practice, including a wide variety of complex diagnostic and therapeutic testing. The scientist serves as a resource for resolving problems and interpreting results, correlates data using clinical knowledge and technical expertise, collaborates with laboratory customers to promote satisfaction, and participates in laboratory performance improvement activities.

Requirements

• Baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university in a related laboratory field, including the related laboratory practicum or equivalent routes that meet CLIA ’88 qualifications for high-complexity testing personnel.
• Qualifying education may be a bachelor’s degree in chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution; documentation of the field of study must be provided.
• Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree plus 16 semester hours in biology, including one semester in microbiology, and 16 semester hours in chemistry, including one semester in organic chemistry or biochemistry; transcript must be provided.
• Alternatively, transcript evaluation verifying equivalency to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; equivalency documentation must be provided.
• Alternatively, completion of a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training course and a bachelor’s degree, plus specified biology and chemistry coursework; transcript must be provided.
• Alternatively, a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in molecular biology, biotechnology, chemistry, biology, cytology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field; documentation of the field of study must be provided.
• Possess, or be eligible to receive, appropriate HHS-approved laboratory certification: ASCP, ASCPi, or AMT MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) or MT (Medical Technologist) within one year. HEW Medical Technologist certification may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Obtain specimens from patients of all ages and degrees of physical or mental disability, following established guidelines and prioritizing work.
• Verify patient and specimen identification, assess specimen integrity, and determine testing and procurement priorities.
• Perform complex diagnostic and therapeutic testing, including waived, moderate, or high-complexity testing as defined by CLIA ’88.
• Independently perform major responsibilities of professional laboratory practice.
• Operate laboratory instrumentation and information systems according to procedure and complete specified instrument maintenance.
• Recognize problems, troubleshoot laboratory procedures and unexpected operational events, take appropriate action, and consult a supervisor when necessary.
• Initiate appropriate safety or emergency responses.
• Use critical thinking to maintain and improve department productivity and efficiency.
• Evaluate testing results for accuracy and appropriate intervention; apply normal parameters, reporting protocols, and age-specific reference ranges.
• Correlate results with clinical knowledge, technical expertise, and other conditions that may affect test results; recheck abnormal, discrepant, or unexpected results as appropriate.
• Communicate abnormal and critical results directly to caregivers and obtain information to resolve incongruent results.
• Follow Laboratory Quality Assurance, Performance Improvement, and Compliance Programs; document deviations, actions taken, reagent, test kit and calibrator checks, and regulatory compliance.
• Recognize and communicate values and trends that exceed quality-control decision levels, take corrective action, and consult a supervisor as needed.
• Participate in performance improvement by collecting data, reviewing results, and implementing recommended action steps.
• Collaborate with laboratory customers to promote customer satisfaction.
• Orient and mentor new employees and students in routine and complex testing methodology, instrumentation, and information systems.
• Check work before release, complete training checklists and evaluations as appropriate, and report progress and problems to a supervisor or manager.
• Adjust care or service approaches to reflect the developmental level and cultural differences of the population served.

Benefits

• Medical insurance plans
• Dental insurance plans
• Vision insurance plans
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• PTO and Sick and Safe Time
• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement benefits
• Early access to earned wages
• Shift incentive bonus of up to $1,000 paid every six months, prorated based on FTE

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time