Scientist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• A valid and current Clinical Laboratory Technologist license. Issued by the State of California Department of Health Services.
• BCLS card (AHA) within 90 days hire.
• Able to converse well in English because of physician, nurse, and patient contact.
• Good manual dexterity.
• Work well under supervision and in times of stress.

Nice To Haves

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or the equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Verifies the name and MR number of the patient before collecting the specimen or performing the test.
• Rejects unsuitable specimens and documents reasons.
• Performs and appropriately documents calibration, quality control, and preventative maintenance procedures to validate the accuracy and precision of instruments or testing protocols.
• Reports instrument problems on the Action Taken form.
• Documents action taken to solve an instrument or reagent problem.
• Performs start up and shut down procedures at the beginning and end of the shift.
• Follows laboratory policies when performing the test(s) requested on various instruments.
• Compares present results to previous results and resolves or verifies any differences before verification of test results.
• Responds to abnormal values or flags according to laboratory policy before verification of test results.
• Performs proficiency testing within the guidelines of the department.
• Monitors responsible QC, trends, and action take issues.
• Ensures testing is performed in a timely manner.
• Ensures that care and instructions given to pediatric, adolescent, adult, or geriatric patients and/or guardians is appropriate for the age and level of understanding of the patient.
• Attends in-service programs and maintains the required hours of in-service. Provides verification of such attendance.
• Assists in the training of another employee when requested.
• Performs the preventative maintenance of instruments on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• Helps develop and maintain the policies and procedures for the Laboratory Dept.
• Uses LIS to verify orders are placed correctly rarely having to cancel a test.
• Uses LIS to receive samples and rarely receives specimens incorrectly.
• Disposes of hazardous materials in the proper container and never takes shortcuts that may endanger fellow workers or patients.
• Annually reviews and signs all appropriate policy and procedure manuals. Regularly reviews and signs communication log book.
• Maintains adequate supplies.
• Communicates concerns and problems accurately to appropriate personnel in a timely manner.
• Seeks guidance and direction as necessary for performance of duties.
• Responds to changes in scheduling in view of admissions, STATS, ER, OP, and timed testing.
• Calls the results of critical results and documents in the LIS who was called, time called, and who called.
• Batches testing whenever possible to reduce the cost of testing.
• Refers abnormal results to pathologists or supervisor, according to laboratory policy.
• Takes action to ensure that results reported are accurate and that instrument problems are corrected when a flag, asterisk, or code is printed or observed.
• Operates within budgetary guidelines/staffing needs when functioning as lead technologist.
• Demonstrates a willingness to assist co-workers in the completion of daily tasks or special projects.
• Uses available work time to complete all required tasks within established time frames or schedules.
• Completes special projects and assignments in an accurate, efficient, and thorough manner.
• Completes any work left from previous shift within a reasonable time to avoid delay of any patient treatment. Ensures that specimens have been located and problems resolved when shift is near completion.
• Accommodates STAT orders and reports results within one hour or less.
• Checks pending throughout the shift to maintain workflow and monitor turnaround time.
• Checks pending at the end of the shift to ensure that all work have been completed for assigned work station. Places signed PTR in designated location.
• Ensures that there is adequate time available to update/maintain policies and procedure manual, quality control procedures, and preventative maintenance manual.
• Returns promptly from errands, coffee breaks, and meals. Informs immediate supervisor if a rest period or a meal period is missed.
• Performs duties in an independent manner with little or no direct supervision.
• Reports to supervisor any suggestions or positive changes/recommendations with the departments policies and procedures.
• Follows up on quality control problems and institutes corrective action and documents action taken.
• Follows up on instrument/reagent problems and institutes corrective action and documents the action taken.
• Communicates with the manufacturer and resolves the problem or assists in the resolution of the problem when a problem occurs with an instrument.
• Ensures that all shifts comply with laboratory policies and regulatory agency guidelines.
• Ensures that the change is documented and the new procedure or policy is written when a procedure or policy is changed.
• Observes the hospital and department standard operating procedures in precautions for transmission of HIV and HBV and the handling and use of hazardous substances.
• Performs other duties as assigned.