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 disease diagnosis and treatment. The role leads a laboratory area—Flow/Immunology, Molecular HLA, or Core/Serology/Virology—and helps manage daily workflow, testing, documentation, quality assurance, instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting. The Lead works alongside the Supervisor on validations, surveys, standard operating procedures, competencies, assignments, and complex cases, and serves as the first line of response in the laboratory and as the lead decision-maker when the Supervisor is absent. The position performs high-complexity testing using applicable laboratory procedures and analysis software; evaluates results and determines whether to accept, repeat, reflex, or reject them; investigates problems affecting test performance; and reports results in the laboratory system and UNET when applicable. It also supports patient-data preparation and pathologist review, inventory management, critical-value reporting, proficiency and validation studies, on-call response, staff training, and continuing education in histocompatibility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Florida Medical Technologist License required.
At least 5 years of relevant experience; the department specifically requires 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).
Second review/sign-off competency in 80% of tests within one laboratory area, or the specified second-review/sign-off competencies for Molecular or Flow/Immunology testing.
Ability to troubleshoot competent tests, instruments, and complex cases and provide solutions.
Ability to communicate with vendors and customers.
Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
Ability to analyze, 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 periods.
Ability to work flexible and changing hours during on-call periods and with short notice; notification of work or a new assignment may be received one hour in advance.
Commitment to the University’s core values.
Eagerness to continue studying and learning about the Histocompatibility field.

Nice To Haves

Histocompatibility license.

Responsibilities

Lead the daily workflow in the Flow/Immunology, Molecular HLA, or Core/Serology/Virology laboratory area.
Work with the Supervisor on histocompatibility test and software validations, surveys, SOPs, competencies, daily assignments, and complex troubleshooting.
Take responsibility for daily work and decision-making in the Supervisor’s absence, and serve as the first line of response in the laboratory.
Perform high-complexity testing according to approved Standard Operating Procedures, including applicable molecular, histocompatibility, immunology, serology, hematology, and microbiology procedures.
Use test-analysis software to analyze raw data and assign results.
Analyze test results and 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 fall outside laboratory criteria.
Verify specimen identification against physicians’ orders, prepare specimens, and handle specimens safely.
Research and 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.
Perform quality-control and quality-assurance activities; document and revise QC and QA.
Calibrate and maintain equipment, order supplies, and manage inventory of applicable forms, disposable supplies, and reagents.
Meet turnaround times and report critical values to requestors according to current IHL policy when applicable.
Perform assigned on-call duties and respond promptly to call-back situations.
Participate in proficiency testing, instrument correlation, method comparison, and validation studies, meeting applicable deadlines.
Act as a resource to laboratory staff and support coworkers in resolving testing problems.
Orient and train employees on laboratory techniques and operations as assigned.
Attend assigned clinical group meetings and prepare and present cases at histocompatibility workshops and meetings.
Obtain 12 continuing education credits in the Histocompatibility area annually, in addition to credits required by the State of Florida.
Adhere to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguard University assets.