Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Position Overview Under minimal supervision, the Medical Laboratory Scientist / Medical Technologist applies advanced technical skills and seasoned judgment to perform a full range of sample test analyses and laboratory services independently in a hospital-based setting. This role involves full responsibility for technical laboratory operations, complex problem-solving (including transfusion medicine and microbiology), procedural development in CLSI format, quality control oversight, staff training, and regulatory compliance. Coverage: Requires shift work, night, and weekend call to ensure 24-hour laboratory coverage. Patient Population: Serves pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients. Key Responsibilities Testing & Technical Performance Perform all levels of laboratory testing, including CLIA-defined high-complexity testing across microbiology, transfusion medicine, molecular biology, and infectious disease safety. Evaluate, interpret, and report accurate test results while ensuring sample suitability. Identify and resolve inconsistencies in patient results, troubleshooting complex technical issues in collaboration with MLTs and Laboratory Support Technicians (LSTs). Assess result validity independently before release to healthcare providers. Quality Control & Compliance Establish and maintain departmental Quality Control (QC) programs, defining acceptable performance parameters across all testing phases. Maintain instruments and equipment, review Levey-Jennings (LJ) charts, and implement remedial actions when test systems deviate from established standards. Write departmental procedures in CLSI format and coordinate manual updates and reviews. Support regulatory readiness and compliance for CAP, CLIA, and Joint Commission standards; assist with departmental Process Improvement (PI) initiatives. Consultation, Leadership & Operations Provide test utilization and basic interpretation guidance to medical and nursing staff (referring advanced clinical questions to the Laboratory Medical Director). Provide LIS consultation and educate staff on acceptable laboratory medicine practices. Direct, assign tasks to, and review the work of MLTs and LSTs. Train new staff, laboratory students, and existing personnel on new methodologies; assist management with staff competency evaluations. Coordinate inventory levels to ensure adequate supply availability. Qualifications & Requirements Education Degree: Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or a related field required. (Progressively responsible work experience or training may be substituted on a year-for-year basis). Minimum Requirement: High School Diploma or equivalent required. Certifications & Licenses Professional Certification: Medical Laboratory Scientist / Medical Technologist certification via ASCP, AMT, or equivalent national credentialing agency required. Competency: Clinical Competency Assessment required within 3 months of hire and re-certified every three years. Experience Minimum of one (1) year of progressive clinical laboratory experience, OR one (1) year of hospital internship following degree completion. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Knowledge: CLIA high-complexity testing standards; LIS operations and laboratory software; equipment operation/maintenance; comprehensive quality control processes; CAP, Joint Commission, and CLIA regulatory guidelines. Skills: Strong written and oral communication; effective technical troubleshooting; establishing cooperative working relationships. Abilities: Ability to work independently, make critical diagnostic judgments, train and mentor staff, maintain continuing education, and manage competing priorities under tight timelines. #J-18808-Ljbffr