Medical Technologist - Lead (Immunology and Histocompatibility Laboratory)

University of Miami•Miami, FL

About The Position

The Medical Technologist - Lead performs complex and specialized microbiological, molecular biological, and immunological testing on body specimens to support the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The role leads a laboratory area—Flow/Immunology, Molecular HLA, or Core/Serology/Virology—and helps manage daily workflow, testing, troubleshooting, quality assurance, and instrument maintenance. The Lead works alongside the Supervisor on histocompatibility validations, surveys, standard operating procedures, competencies, task assignments, complex troubleshooting, and documentation. In the Supervisor’s absence, the Lead assumes responsibility for daily work and decision-making. The position performs high-complexity testing according to approved procedures, analyzes and interprets results, and uses professional judgment to accept results, repeat procedures, perform reflex testing, or reject unacceptable results. It prepares patient data and refers results to pathologists for evaluation and sign-out, reports results in the laboratory system and UNET when applicable, reports critical values when required, and meets turnaround times. The Lead also maintains quality control and quality assurance records, inventories supplies and reagents, participates in proficiency testing and validation-related projects, and performs assigned on-call duties. The role serves as a resource for staff and orients and trains employees in laboratory techniques and operations. The Lead is expected to obtain 12 continuing education credits annually in histocompatibility in addition to Florida state requirements, and to adhere to University and unit policies while safeguarding University assets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Florida Medical Technologist License required.
At least 5 years of relevant experience; department-specific qualifications require at least 5 years working as a Medical Technologist in a transplant laboratory.
Competency in 80% of tests within the laboratory area: Molecular HLA, Flow/Immunology, or Core/Serology/Virology.
Ability to perform second review/sign-off for 80% of tests within one laboratory area, or the specified Molecular or Flow/Immunology review and sign-off duties.
Ability to troubleshoot competent tests, instruments, and complex cases and provide solutions.
Ability to communicate with vendors and customers.
Ability to prepare and present cases in histocompatibility workshops and meetings.
Ability to complete assignments accurately and with attention to detail, follow instructions, and organize and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary, including scheduled on-call duties and flexible or changing hours on short notice.
Commitment to the University’s core values.
Ability and eagerness to continue studying and learning about histocompatibility.
Ability to work under on-call arrangements where notification of work or a new assignment may be received one hour in advance.

Nice To Haves

Histocompatibility license is desired.

Responsibilities

Lead the Flow/Immunology, Molecular HLA, or Core/Serology/Virology laboratory area and manage its daily workflow.
Work with the Supervisor on histocompatibility validations, surveys, standard operating procedures, competencies, daily task assignments, complex troubleshooting, and related documentation.
Take responsibility for daily work and decision-making in the Supervisor’s absence, and serve as the laboratory’s first line of response before the Supervisor.
Attend clinical group meetings as assigned.
Perform high-complexity testing according to approved Standard Operating Procedures, including molecular, histocompatibility, immunology, serology, hematology, and microbiology testing.
Analyze and interpret test results; use professional judgment to accept results, repeat procedures, perform reflex tests, or reject unacceptable results.
Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance and determine the causes of errors when results fail to meet laboratory criteria.
Prepare pertinent patient data and refer data and test results to pathologists for evaluation and sign-out.
Report results in the current laboratory system and in UNET when applicable.
Place orders for and maintain inventory of disposable supplies and reagents, as applicable.
Meet turnaround-time requirements for assigned tests.
Report critical values to requestors according to current IHL policy, when applicable.
Perform assigned on-call duties and respond promptly to call-back situations, including flexible or changing hours when needed.
Participate in proficiency testing, instrument correlation, method comparison, and validation studies, and meet project deadlines.
Manage, document, and revise quality-control and quality-assurance activities.
Calibrate equipment, maintain relevant forms and materials, and support instrument maintenance.
Verify specimen identification against physician orders, prepare specimens, and handle specimens safely and carefully.
Recognize test inconsistencies, take corrective action, and support coworkers in resolving similar problems.
Serve as a resource to staff and orient and train employees on laboratory techniques and operations as assigned.
Obtain 12 continuing education credits per year in the Histocompatibility area, in addition to credits required by the State of Florida.
Adhere to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguard University assets.