Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

The clinical laboratory shall employ a sufficient number of properly qualified technical personnel, including a sufficient number of technicians and technologists to meet the workload demands of the laboratory. Clinical laboratory scientists shall be present in sufficient number to adequately supervise the work of technicians and trainees.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist means a clinical laboratory practitioner who, in accordance with approved protocols of Boston Heart Diagnostics, performs clinical laboratory procedures and examinations and any other tests or procedures conducted by a clinical laboratory which require the exercise of independent judgment and responsibility, with minimal supervision by the director or supervisor, in only those specialties or subspecialties in which they are qualified by education, training and experience. With respect to specialties in which the medical technologist is not qualified by education, training or experience, the individual shall function only under direct supervision and perform only tests which require limited technical skill and responsibility.

Level I Minimum

• Follow the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing, and maintaining records of test examinations.
• Perform ancillary tasks to ensure a smooth operation, including but not limited to preparation and qualification of reagents and materials required for test processes, as well as label, retrieve, re-file, and properly store specimens for testing/repeat testing/long term storage.
• Take an active role in cleaning, organizing, and restocking duties.
• Operate, calibrate and maintain all laboratory equipment and instruments according to standard operating procedures to ensure quality results.
• Maintain records that demonstrate that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.
• Adhere to the laboratory's quality control policies, document all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performed.
• Follow the laboratory's established policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory's established acceptable levels of performance.
• Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either immediately correct the problems or notify the supervisor, manager, director or designee.
• Adhere to established processing timelines.
• Ensures follow-up and demonstrates an understanding of actions taken to resolve problems.
• Demonstrate strong teamwork skills by effectively communicating, knowledge sharing and adequately prioritizing tasks to efficiently complete daily activities.
• Maintain adequate inventory of supplies, reagents and material notify supervisor, manager or director immediately when faced with shortage of supplies.
• Document all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory's established performance specifications.
• Participate on special projects or assignments as requested by management.
• Trains other technicians on key aspects of the laboratory assay(s), proficient with the performance of competency assessments.
• Plays an active role in process improvement projects with potential for significant improvement in quality, efficiency, and/or reduction in cost of testing.
• Possess critical thinking skills and is able to actively troubleshoot when even the slightest deviations are observed.

Level II Fully meets the responsibilities of Level I plus the following:

• General knowledge of Standard Operating Procedure writing, assay theory, and instrumentation.
• Orient, mentor and teach clinical laboratory methods, procedures, and techniques to new Associates.
• Demonstrate effective teamwork skills by knowledge sharing.
• Take on formally assigned additional duties, such as training, as a part of routine job performance.
• Participate in special project teams as requested by supervisory staff.

Level III Fully meets the responsibilities of Level II plus the following:

• Obtain advanced knowledge of Viracor Eurofins standard operating procedures, assays, and instrumentation.
• Participate in troubleshooting activities in conjunction with Technical Supervisor.
• Volunteer to serve on various committees and panels to the benefit of the laboratory or company in general (e.g., Safety Committee).
• Performs train the trainer and Qualified Personnel responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

New York definition of Medical Technologists: Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or Bachelor's degree in chemical, physical or biological science plus 1 year experience in specialty.

Level I Minimum

(1) Successful completion in an accredited college or university of a full course of study which meets all academic requirements for a bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science; the degree program shall have included a one year structured clinical laboratory experience in either (a) the general areas of a clinical laboratory, or (b) in a specialty area; or

(2) Successful completion of three academic years of study (a minimum of 90 semester hours or equivalent) in an accredited college or university which met the specific requirements for entrance into a school of medical laboratory science and the successful completion of a course of training of at least 12 months in a school of medical technology approved by the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association; or

(3) Successful completion in an accredited college or university of a course of study which meets all academic requirements for a bachelor's degree in one of the chemical, physical or biological sciences and, in addition, at least one year of full-time laboratory experience and/or training subsequent to graduation covering the specialty(ies) or subspecialty(ies) in which the individual performs tests; or

(4) Successful completion of three years (90 semester hours or equivalent) in an accredited college or university with a distribution of courses as shown below, and, in addition, successful experience and/or training covering several fields of medical laboratory work of such length (not less than one year), and of such quality that this experience or training, when combined with the education, will have provided the individual with education and training in medical technology equivalent to that described in paragraph (1) or (2) above. Distribution of course work: (Where semester hours are stated, it is understood that the equivalent in quarter hours is equally acceptable. The specified courses must have included lecture and laboratory work. Survey courses are not acceptable.)

(i) for those whose training was completed prior to September 15, 1963: At least 24 semester hours in chemistry and biology courses of which not less than nine semester hours must have been in chemistry and must have included at least 6 semester hours in inorganic chemistry, and not less than 12 semester hours must have been in biology courses pertinent to medical sciences;

(ii) for those whose training was completed after September 15, 1963: 16 semester hours in chemistry courses, which included at least 6 semester hours in inorganic chemistry and are acceptable toward a major in chemistry; 16 semester hours in biology courses which are pertinent to the medical sciences and are acceptable toward a major in the biological sciences; and 3 semester hours of mathematics.

• Willingness to work with potentially infectious human blood and bodily fluids.
• Ability to work with automated and manual platforms.
• Strong computer, scientific and organizational skills, strong sense of personal accountability and responsibility.
• Demonstrates a high level of integrity and honesty in performing tests, documenting test results and maintaining patient, client, employee and laboratory business confidentiality.
• Analytical judgement, problem solving skills, accuracy and strong detail-oriented approach to performing tasks.

Level II Fully meets the qualifications of Level I plus the following:

• Minimum of 2 years of clinical laboratory experience at CLS I level work.
• Possess the required skills to perform the additional level requirements above.

Level III Fully meets the qualifications of Level II plus the following:

• BS or BA in biological, chemical, or clinical laboratory science.
• Minimum of 6 years of clinical laboratory experience, inclusive of Viracor tenure as a Laboratory Technician.
• Completed train-the-trainer program and possess the skillset to be a trainer and Qualified Personnel.
• Possess advanced knowledge and troubleshooting capability.
• Has demonstrated achievement in advancing laboratory improvements, including participation in committees, panels, process improvement teams, or other related activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in the specific departmental specialty
• Good hand-eye coordination
• Medical Technologist ASCP certified
• Previous experience in GCMS and/or LCMSMS
• Strong understanding of Good Documentation/Laboratory Practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Word
• Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands