Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• For generalist MLS positions: a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science or Clinical Laboratory Science from an accredited institution, or an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Science and a bachelor’s degree in a chemical, biological, clinical, or medical laboratory science.
• For Southwest or Texas Medical Center Microbiology positions: a doctoral, master’s, or bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, or biological science.
• For Southwest Molecular positions: a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Molecular Biology, Biology, Biological Science, Molecular Genetic Technology, or Biochemical Chemistry.
• Foreign education equivalency is required.
• For generalist MLS positions, hold an accepted Medical Technologist, MLS, or CLS certification from ASCP, ASCP-International, or AMT, or be ASCP certification eligible and become certified within one year.
• For Southwest and Texas Medical Center laboratory Microbiology-only assignments, hold an accepted generalist certification or ASCP-M Medical Laboratory Specialist in Microbiology certification.
• For Southwest laboratory Molecular-only assignments, hold an accepted generalist certification or ASCP-MB Medical Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology certification.
• For Southwest and Texas Medical Center laboratory Blood Bank-only assignments, hold an accepted generalist certification or ASCP-BB Medical Laboratory Science in Blood Banking certification.
• For Texas Medical Center laboratory Hematology-only assignments, hold an accepted generalist certification or ASCP-H Medical Laboratory Science in Hematology certification.
• For Texas Medical Center laboratory Chemistry-only assignments, hold an accepted generalist certification or ASCP-C Medical Laboratory Science in Chemistry certification.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily laboratory operations, including specimen collection and processing, quality control, waived, moderate- and high-complexity testing, result reporting, and distribution.
• Interpret, correlate, and verify test results using knowledge of laboratory techniques, principles, and instrumentation.
• Maintain testing analyzers, perform corrective actions according to policy and procedure, and assist with instrument troubleshooting.
• Perform clerical duties as needed to maintain efficient workflow.
• Maintain ongoing education and test competencies appropriate to the ages and needs of the patient populations served.
• Follow laboratory procedures when handling chemicals, biological specimens, and hazardous materials to ensure a safe work environment.
• Direct personnel when appropriate and communicate exceptional circumstances to appropriate personnel.
• Interact with hospital personnel, volunteers, physicians, and patients regarding laboratory specimens and orders and the reporting of results.
• Support point-of-care testing throughout the hospital.
• Support blood bank operations for trauma services, including massive transfusion protocols for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients.
• Process reference laboratory specimens, monitor pending results, follow specialized send-out protocols, and follow up on results in a timely manner; process and perform testing on approved research specimens when assigned.
• Maintain functional knowledge of system computers and vendor software required for the job assignment.
• Comply with Laboratory Services, hospital, and system policies, procedures, and initiatives, as well as applicable governmental and accrediting standards.
• Support customer-service and quality initiatives, respond appropriately to customer satisfaction issues, and collaborate with customers and coworkers to address concerns.
• Ensure safe care for patients, staff, and visitors; follow applicable standards for time management, supply management, productivity, and quality of service.
• Participate in the Performance Improvement process and demonstrate the organization’s culture in customer interactions.
• Meet mandatory and continuing education and skills-competency requirements, support department goals, and serve as a preceptor or resource for less experienced staff.
• Serve as a mentor and perform competency assessments when indicated.
• May participate in peer interviews of job applicants or competency evaluations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• At Texas Medical Center Laboratories, support moderate- and high-complexity services for trauma, transplant, neonatal, ECMO, and other high-acuity patient populations.
• At Texas Medical Center Laboratories, perform assigned additional procedures, which may include special coagulation assays, sweat chloride collection and analysis, fetal hemoglobin staining, manual platelet counts, specialized CBC testing for intrauterine transfusions, and pneumocystis DFA testing.
• At Texas Medical Center Laboratories, support Level 1 trauma blood bank operations, including massive transfusion protocols, specialized transfusion protocols for transplant, neonatal, and ECMO patients, exchange transfusions, and additional blood-product processing procedures.