Medical Laboratory Scientist

Medical Laboratory Scientist

HealthPartners is hiring for a Medical Laboratory Scientist to help support the Central lab.

Qualifications

Required:

Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology or a related science from an accredited college or university and subsequent to graduation, have at least 12 months of appropriate clinical education and 2 years previous experience in a specified area. OR Two-year Associate Decree, appropriate clinical education and HEW certification as a Medical Technologist plus 5 years experience in a specified area.

Certified as Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) by National Certification Agency (NCA) and/or Medical Technologist (MT) by American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).

Additional skills necessary: good oral and written communication, basic leadership capabilities and good organizational skills.

Position Purpose

Service excellence is to be centered on patient care and patient relationships and is the responsibility of all employees. Teamwork is the norm and all employees will be held accountable to work as effective team members. This individual performs a variety of laboratory tests, assists the Lead Medical Technologist with establishing and implementing new lab procedures/instrumentation and serves as a reference for other laboratory personnel as authorized by the Laboratory Supervisor.

Accountabilities

• Support and conform to laboratory safety policies. Know fire and disaster plans as pertaining to the laboratory. Recognize potential chemical and biological hazards and handles these materials as per established protocol.
• Knowledgeable in specimen requirements and proper handling of specimen prior to testing. Have an understanding of existing policies for specimen identification and criteria for specimen rejection.
• Perform a variety of tests according to established procedure and performance qualifications established by laboratory management. Will be responsible for having theoretical knowledge of test reactions, knowing expected patient values and any factors causing false reactions.
• Have understanding of Group Health protocol for quality control. Help Lead Medical Technologist to ensure that the established protocol for quality control is being done and within accepted limits and capable of individually implementing corrective action when indicated.
• Manifest technical competence in designated area and act as a resource person for the laboratory personnel, nursing personnel and physicians. May be called upon to present technical information to other laboratory personnel and be required to discuss test results with providers.
• Must be able to make sound independent decisions regarding troubleshooting and corrective actions whenever control or patient rest results fall outside expected performance limits.
• Ensure that established protocol for equipment maintenance and instrument calibration is performed on a regular basis. Recognize instrument malfunctions. Capable of troubleshooting instrument malfunction by performing repairs in-house if possible or identify the need for external service.
• Have a working knowledge of database of laboratory computer system. Must be capable of performing designated functions in the computer system.
• Assist in evaluating new products and instrumentation upon direction of laboratory Supervisor and/or Lead Medical Technologists.
• Assist Lead Medical Technologist in verifying the accuracy of all work performed within the department. Must be capable of assuming the Lead Medical Technologist duties for short periods of time during the Lead Medical Technologist's vacations or leaves of absence.
• Maintain an on-going awareness of current technical information related to designated area of responsibility.
• Assist in the teaching of laboratory technician students. This teaching includes the theory of the test reactions as well as practical laboratory techniques.
• Perform other laboratory-related work as assigned by the Laboratory Supervisor and/or Lead Medical Technologist.