Southeast San Diego Senior Medical Laboratory Technician

San Ysidro Health•San Diego, CA

82d•$37 - $48

About The Position

The Senior Medical Laboratory Technician works under the direct supervision of the Lab Management Team. The role performs quality control and assists with patient testing as needed, operates and maintains point-of-care laboratory equipment for CLIA-waived and moderately complex testing, resolves problems, manages supply inventories and records, and communicates effectively with internal and external laboratory customers. The technician oversees the work and problem-solving activities of CPTs and MLTs at the Urgent Care laboratory and may assist with staff training, competency assessments, scheduling, and onboarding. The role monitors and troubleshoots instruments, performs and evaluates quality-control testing, prepares and evaluates reagents and test devices, supports new testing platforms and workflow improvements, and helps prepare for audits and accreditations while ensuring regulatory compliance. It also assists with specimen processing and patient testing, maintains laboratory records and specimen-handling practices according to SOPs, and supports a safe, quality-focused laboratory environment. The position requires maintaining current continuing education and professional licensure, attending meetings, and performing additional duties as required. Work may involve exposure to chemicals, specimens, patients, infection risks, electrical equipment, and occasionally irregular hours. Physical activities include frequent prolonged standing and walking; lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds; and bending, kneeling, climbing, pulling, reaching, twisting, and repetitive hand use. Personal protective equipment is required.

Requirements

Five years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician in a reference laboratory or urgent care setting.
Associate degree, or 60 semester or equivalent quarter units, in chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science.
Current California State (CDPH) Medical Laboratory Technician License.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification.
Excellent English speaking and writing skills.
Very strong presentation skills.
Familiarity and experience with laboratory instruments such as ISTAT, Piccolo, chemistry analyzers, Coulter or other CBC instruments, urinalysis instruments such as Clinitek or Siemens urine analyzers, and/or Coagu-Check instruments.
Proficiency in medical terminology.
Basic computer skills and literacy.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate, and to demonstrate respect for diversity.
Strong attention to detail and outstanding organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills.
Flexibility to work overtime or other shifts depending on business needs.
Ability to adapt to department and business needs while ensuring accuracy and completeness of work.
Compliance with pre-employment requirements, including I-9, physical examination, positive background and reference check results, completed application, new-hire orientation, and pre-employment PPDs.
Compliance with mandated vaccinations and boosters as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

Oversee the work activities and problem-solving of CPTs and MLTs at the Urgent Care laboratory.
Assist with training and competency testing for Ambulatory Care personnel using waived and moderately complex point-of-care equipment.
May assist with scheduling CPTs and MLTs according to daily laboratory workflow demands.
May assist in managing technical competencies, skills improvement, and training for new hires.
Monitor, operate, and troubleshoot waived and moderately complex point-of-care instruments.
Perform required quality-control testing on point-of-care instruments and determine whether results are acceptable before patient testing.
Make technical decisions related to testing and problem-solving.
Prepare, test, and evaluate new reagents and test devices.
Identify and replenish testing bench supplies as needed.
May assist the Laboratory Manager or designee with workflow and process improvements, including validation and verification of new testing platforms.
Prepare for audits and accreditations and ensure laboratory regulatory compliance.
Assist with specimen processing and patient testing as needed.
Support implementation and validation of new testing platforms.
Handle specimen preparation, storage, and disposal, and review and record daily temperatures according to laboratory SOPs.
Maintain records for CLIA-waived and moderately complex testing according to laboratory SOPs.
Use computer systems for record keeping, health-record entries, and results tracking.
Adhere to departmental policies and objectives and to quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection-control standards.
Maintain current continuing education and professional licensure.
Attend and participate in meetings and perform additional duties as required.
Communicate clearly and professionally with patients and other customers, verbally and in writing.