Medical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank), Evenings

Medical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank)

Nemours is seeking a Medical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank), Full-Time, to join our Nemours Children's Health team in Wilmington, Delaware.

Work Schedule: Evening Shift, 4p-12:30a with rotating weekends

As one of the nation's leading pediatric health care systems, Nemours is committed to providing all children with their best chance to grow up healthy. We offer integrated, family-centered care to more than 300,000 children each year in our pediatric hospitals, specialty clinics and primary care practices in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Nemours strives to ensure a healthier tomorrow for all children - even those who may never enter our doors - through our world-changing research, education and advocacy efforts. At Nemours, our Associates help us deliver on the promise we make to every family we have the privilege of serving: to treat their child as if they were our own.

From our park-like campus and free parking, to private patient rooms and kid-approved play areas, our Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., is like no other in the region. We're considered one of the safest children's hospitals in the country, with some of the best doctors, nurses and pediatric specialty care available. We also have Delaware's only pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center.

The Medical Laboratory Scientist exhibits the certified expertise required to perform complex services, procedures, and related tasks in the clinical laboratory, including in the areas of molecular diagnostics and flow cytometry, while under the direction of a Laboratory Supervisor or Manager.

The MLS will perform a variety of analytical procedures and specimen testing of moderate to high complexity, properly utilizing methodologies and instruments in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures and in compliance with regulatory agency requirements. The MLS may oversee some procedures being handled by Medical Laboratory Technicians, as needed.

• Performs a variety of analytical procedures of moderate to high complexity in all areas of the laboratory as assigned, using manual and automated methods, and through a variety of clinical laboratory methodologies. In this function, must be able to independently perform all required calibration, quality control, statistical calculations and other process control and mathematical functions. Must also be able to understand concepts such as linearity, and standard deviation, as it applies to the performance of analytical testing in a clinical laboratory.
• Additional responsibilities in Microbiology (if assigned):
  • Perform culture set-up, Gram stain preparation and interpretation, incubation, and examination to accurately and appropriate apply clinical and technical judgement.
  • Conduct bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing from appropriate specimen types, ensuring accurate interpretation of clinical significance (normal flora vs pathogens) and compliance with quality and safety standards.
  • Perform molecular diagnostic assays (e.g., PCR) and rapid antigen testing, including specimen preparation, test set-up, result interpretation, and timely result reporting.
• Develops and validates various complex tests for implementation in all sections of the laboratory. Collaborates in the writing and review of policies and standard operating procedures and completes proficiency testing.
• Orders, accessions, statuses, and reports the results of tests performed on patient specimens, monitoring a variety of critical clinical issues, such as patient identifiers, specimen quality, order appropriateness, etc. In this function, must be able to read and understand a variety of written material such as specimen requisitions, worksheets, patient identification, specimen requirements, etc., whether performing this task manually (e.g., on paper) or using an information system. Must be able to check and verify information such as patient identification, lot numbers, expiration dates, etc., and act appropriately. Monitors pending logs regularly to provide rapid turnaround time.
• Operates, calibrates, and performs troubleshooting and maintenance on laboratory equipment following established procedures, and as assigned by supervisor. Must be able to take responsibility for laboratory equipment performance, as demonstrated by interactions with technical representatives for instrument maintenance, both preventive and repair; must be able to successfully perform start-up and shutdown of complex analytical equipment. Recognizes need for additional Quality Control, maintenance, or specimens prior to releasing test results.
• If specifically trained and assigned to specimen collection, processing and handling, collects or assists with specimens from patients or others in special procedures (e.g., assisting physicians at bone marrow aspirate collections). Such collections may take place in a variety of environments. Such collections may require entering patient isolation rooms, whereby, associate must follow appropriate infection control procedures.
• Transports and handles specimens as assigned, following appropriate procedures.
• Reviews technical and administrative procedures, as assigned. Responsible for staying informed about section changes, procedure changes and updates, etc. Reviews questions about procedures with section supervisor or designee as needed, informing supervisor when confusion about instructions or procedures exists.
• Handles supply and inventory issues as required/assigned, identifying key technical parameters, such as lot numbers, storage requirements, etc. as required for performance of laboratory procedures. Follows laboratory section inventory procedures (e.g., recording date received, condition when received, checking order forms, invoices, etc.) Retrieves supplies and equipment from storage areas as needed. Notifies the section leader to place orders to avoid inventory deficiencies.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Lab program or Science related program is required.
• Minimum of 6 months experience required. Experience can include clinical practicum time as a student.
• Nationally/Internationally recognized certification as a Medical Technologist or equivalent (ASCP, AAB or AMT) eligible.