MLS

Chadron Hospital•Chadron, NE

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Scientist works under the supervision of the Director of Laboratory Services and performs laboratory testing in all departments. This position is responsible for testing personnel conducting high complexity testing as defined by CLIA 88' and performs other duties as assigned. The role involves functioning as testing personnel for the daily operation of the laboratory, following established policies and procedures to ensure acceptable analytical performance. The Medical Laboratory Scientist may also function as a general supervisor in the absence of a Laboratory Manager, according to CLIA 88' guidelines. They must demonstrate competency and proficiency in all laboratory testing, maintenance, quality control, and problem-solving. This role also includes participating in the orientation and training of new staff, performance improvement activities, and demonstrating flexibility in adjusting to variable workloads and job duties, including troubleshooting instruments. Knowledge and involvement in the yearly laboratory performance improvement plan and other committee activities are also expected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Laboratory Science or a related field or equivalent combination of post-secondary education and work experience (including comparable military training) in the field of Medical Laboratory Science.
Required to meet all personnel requirements for testing personnel under CLIA 88’.
Must be able to palpate a vein or artery and possess skills to perform a needlestick.
Able to select, enter, and retrieve correct information into Laboratory Information System.
Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
Must be able to operate laboratory instruments to conduct testing and perform maintenance and troubleshooting procedures.
Must be able to effectively communicate and interact with all members of the patient care team and patients regardless of age or ethnic background.
Must be patient, kind, and sympathetic.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to help train other members of the laboratory staff as required.
Able solve most problems and handle difficult situations with little supervision.
Ability to bend over patients for the purpose of collecting specimens.
Requires the ability to move physically to the patient location.
Must be able to physically manipulate blood drawing supplies to obtain blood.
Able to lift up to 50 pounds and/or carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to physically operate laboratory instruments.
Has written and oral communicative abilities adequate to comprehend technical materials and communicate with medical professionals.
Ability to read and record information.
Ability to understand instructions, reason, and make judgments.
Must be able to visually assess patients for collection of blood specimens.
Must be able to listen and understand written and oral communications provided by staff and patients.
Must be able to discern the difference in colors as required to perform necessary laboratory procedures.
Frequent contact with water (hand washing and cleaning).
Daily functions may include incidental exposure to biohazardous fluids, vapors, fumes, moving mechanical parts, electric shock, patient exposure, hazardous chemicals, sharp instruments (needles).
Sufficient noise and interruptions to cause distractions and stress.
Must be able to tolerate wearing gloves (latex or vinyl) and other projective gear such as face shields and fluid resistant coats.
Will work other shifts, weekends, and holidays.
Overtime and call-back may be required.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist by a recognized certifying agency or registration as a Medical Laboratory Scientist is desirable.
Prior work experience desirable, but not required.

Responsibilities

Function as the testing personnel for the daily operation of the Laboratory.
Follow laboratory’s established policies and procedures for performing laboratory analysis to assure that acceptable levels of analytical performance are met.
May function as a general supervisor in the absence of a Laboratory Manager in accordance with the CLIA 88’ general supervisor guidelines.
Demonstrate competency and proficiency in all laboratory testing performed.
Maintain phlebotomy skill to include venipuncture, capillary draws, and arterial punctures.
As required, draw appropriate blood specimens from patients following standard operating procedure for the identification of patients, specimen collection, labeling, and handling.
Adhere to laboratory’s quality control policies and procedures, documenting all quality control activities, instrument calibration and maintenance.
Follows laboratory’s established corrective action policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory’s defined acceptable level of performance.
Recognize and respond to abnormal test results and follow established policies of notification and documentation of these abnormal results.
Capable of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either correct the problems or immediately notify a supervisor or medical director.
Demonstrate competency and proficiency in performance of testing, maintenance procedures, performance of quality control, and problem solving.
Participate in the orientation and training of new staff.
Participate in performance improvement activities.
Demonstrate flexibility in adjusting to variable work load and job duties including troubleshooting instruments.
Knowledge and involvement of yearly laboratory performance improvement plan as well as other committee activities.
Performance of patient testing including specimen handling, processing and testing.
Recording and reporting of test results.
Performance of quality control, proficiency testing, and instrument maintenance.
Performance of phlebotomy including patient identification, patient preparation, collection of venous, arterial, and capillary specimens, and specimen handling and labeling.
Judgment in handling instrument problems, specimen problems, testing issues, and reporting issues.