Medical Laboratory Scientist

Akicita Federal • Yakima, WA

23h • Onsite

About The Position

Akicita Federal is hiring a Medical Laboratory Scientist to deliver essential clinical laboratory services in support of the Indian Health Service (IHS) at the Yakama Indian Health Center in Toppenish, WA. In this hands-on role, you will perform a broad range of diagnostic laboratory tests that directly inform patient care for an underserved Native American community. Your work will be central to the health and well-being of patients who depend on IHS for quality, accessible healthcare.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, or a closely related biological science field.
• Current certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) from a nationally recognized certifying body (e.g., ASCP, AMT, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience performing clinical laboratory testing across multiple disciplines in a hospital, clinic, or reference laboratory setting.
• Proficiency with standard laboratory analyzers and laboratory information systems (LIS).
• Strong understanding of quality control principles and regulatory compliance (e.g., CLIA, CAP, or Joint Commission standards).

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working within an IHS, tribal, or federally qualified health center (FQHC) laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with the health priorities and cultural context of Native American and Indigenous communities.
• Experience functioning as a sole or primary laboratory scientist in a small or rural clinical setting.
• Additional specialty certifications (e.g., SBB, SM, or categorical ASCP credentials in chemistry, microbiology, or hematology).
• Bilingual or multilingual skills relevant to the patient population served.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and complex laboratory analyses across disciplines including hematology, chemistry, urinalysis, microbiology, blood banking, and immunology.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory instrumentation to ensure accurate and reliable test results.
• Collect and process patient specimens, ensuring proper labeling, handling, and chain of custody.
• Review and report test results, flagging critical values and communicating findings promptly to clinical staff.
• Apply quality control and quality assurance protocols to maintain compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and analytical discrepancies, escalating issues as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, logs, and documentation in accordance with facility and regulatory requirements.

What This Job Offers

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