Technologist I

About the position

Formerly Puget Sound Blood Center and Lane Blood Center, Bloodworks is backed by more than 70 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. A national leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks has been chosen to serve more than 90 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska - partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research. We are local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based. We have a wonderful opening for a Medical Laboratory Technologist I (Technologist I) position within our Compatibility Lab at Bloodworks Northwest. The incumbent in this role will promote and advance the mission of Bloodworks in saving lives by achieving excellence in Transfusion Service in basic immunohematological testing and procedures, order management, applying critical thinking in the selection, preparation and distribution of components, participating in quality functions, and by providing exceptional customer and transfusion safety to our patients, hospitals and patient care partners in the community. A certified incumbent will advance 1 grade level, and a progressive career advancement is offered in this role to Technologist II, Technologist III, and Technologist IV (Lead) levels.

Responsibilities

• Perform immunohematological procedures under routine and emergency protocols for the purpose of antibody detection, compatibility testing, simple antibody identification, and investigation of transfusion reactions, prediction/detection of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn, identification of RhIG candidates and other diagnostic testing.
• Understand special protocols for blood orders including Pediatrics, Open Heart surgery, Liver Transplantation, ECMO, HSCT and other special transfusion protocols. Process transfusion instructions from transplant programs.
• Issue blood components via electronic cross-match and remote release via the Hemosafe (at applicable sites).
• Report results of tests performed to physicians, other health care professionals, and institutions.
• Perform cross-match testing and process orders during computer down by accessing a downtime database and utilizing manual testing records and manual transfusion reports.
• Maintain annual competency in computer down, downtime database and emergency preparedness SOPs.
• Understand and follow Good Manufacturing Process as defined in CFR.
• Perform required daily quality control on reagents and equipment; recognize invalid results and perform initial problem solving. Participate in troubleshooting and refer unusual issues to a senior Technologist or Technical Specialist.
• Operate and perform maintenance on equipment and automation used in compatibility testing and component preparation.
• Communicate equipment failures and take appropriate corrective action per organizational SOP for Control of Equipment Failure and Malfunction (BCQ 0606).
• Respond to temperature alarms.
• Appropriately document abnormal occurrences and variances from SOP using the ETQ-Reliance system in a manner such that they can be easily understood and properly coded by departmental quality, then investigated by departmental management or delegates.
• Participate in quality activities, including the development and monitoring of quality indicators.
• Perform College of American Pathology (CAP) or other proficiency surveys and concordance testing within allotted timeframes.

Requirements

• Must qualify as Testing Personnel, High Complexity Testing, under CLIA personnel requirements found in Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations. This typically requires a Bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science or chemical, physical or biological sciences. This may also include an Associate of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology program.
• Current certification as Blood Bank Technologist (BB-ASCP), Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS-ASCP), or Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT-ASCP) or equivalent OR Immediate eligibility for certification as BB(ASCP) Technologist, MLS(ASCP), or MLT(ASCP) or equivalent OR Successful completion of immunohematology course through an accredited institution.
• BB(ASCP) and/or MLS(ASCP) certification is strongly desired. Incumbents with these credentials start or advance one salary grade higher.
• Prior laboratory testing experience is strongly preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Computer skills including data entry and word processing.
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills.
• To obtain access to some client facilities, incumbent may be required to apply for and obtain clearance to access the client property. This clearance process may require incumbent to undergo additional levels of screening beyond Bloodworks' required pre-employment screening.
• Significant manual dexterity is required to operate various instruments and to perform required data entry quickly and with a high degree of accuracy.
• The ability to perform multiple tasks concurrently while also addressing multiple interruptions is required.
• The ability to adhere to a series of complex process steps involving interaction with multiple computer systems and physical handling of inventory is required.
• The ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and with staff from other departments is required.
• The ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds is required, as is the ability to push up to 40 pounds.
• Attention to detail is critical.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with family coverage also available.
• Participation in retirement plans (401a & 403b).
• Consolidated paid leave program (4.8 - 6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service).
• Subsidized back-up child care program.
• Subsidized transit program.
• Educational reimbursement.
• Relocation assistance bonus for candidates hired from outside of our service area (conditions apply).