The Department of Laboratory Medicine serves as a regional resource for clinical laboratory services required for patient care, research and educational programs in laboratory medicine. The department currently employs 900 people who work at the award-winning University of Washington Medical Center (ranked among the top medical centers in the United States as rated by U.S. News & World Report), Harborview Medical Center (the region's only Level I Trauma center, known for innovations and excellence in trauma care and its centers of emphasis: Trauma, Burn, Neurosciences, AIDS/STD CARER, and mentally- and medically- vulnerable populations.), and many other clinical and research facilities in the area. The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoys outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement and natural beauty.
The Laboratory Medicine department has an outstanding opportunity for a FULL-TIME MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST 2. The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) 2 will perform clinical laboratory tests used in the screening, diagnosing, and treating of pathological conditions. Testing is performed at a professional level and may include all facets of pretransfusion testing using both automated and manual methods, routine and complex antibody identification, component preparation, unit confirmation testing, shipping and receiving units and tissue, and sample processing, information processing, and quality control. Responsibilities may also include responding to trauma codes and delivery of blood products to bedside. The MLS2 also provides direction to laboratory staff and students and perform administrative functions. This position will act as resource to Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 and Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainees in quality control and troubleshooting of instruments and procedures.
This position is open to current department employees only.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical Quality of Work
Perform analysis of blood and blood products with accuracy and precision in the transfusion service laboratories
Follow current established procedures and guidelines for performing and documenting tests
Serve as a resource for other staff in performance of testing
Work with attention to detail and with critical review to avoid errors
Use job knowledge to make critical judgments regarding acceptability of test results and donor compatibility for transfusion
Investigate and solve problems involving specimen collection or handling; follow procedures for reporting and documenting to assure quality and timeliness of patient results
Take appropriate action on critical, abnormal or unusual results
Follow hospital procedures for communication of critical results to the appropriate health care provider
Quantity of Work
Complete lab procedures or other projects within defined time limits
Simultaneously coordinate multiple procedures and/or projects with accuracy
Prioritize workload in response to STAT requests or urgent laboratory needs
Efficiently organize and track projects to meet completion deadlines
Teamwork/Enable Laboratory Operations
Use work time effectively
Demonstrate positive leadership skills such as empathy, creativity and fairness
Provide initial technical and administrative assistance to resolve issues and problems within the laboratory
Provide oversight to laboratory when assigned
Maintain awareness of needs within the lab, such as heavy workload on benches or special projects to be completed, and take initiative to assist in the completion of those tasks
Promote understanding and support for divisional and departmental policies.
Assist lead technologist in monitoring workflow and distributing resources to meet the needs of the laboratory
Display leadership and flexibility in adapting to new routines and modifications of work assignments and schedules
Actively participate in problem solving and contribute expertise to quality improvement activities
Share responsibility for emergency coverage, overtime, on-call and call-back needs of the laboratory
Maintain a neat, clean and efficient work area including cleaning benches and equipment and replenishing supplies
Inventory supply stock and submit supply orders for approval
Quality Assurance Activities
Act as a resource to other staff for quality assurance issues
Perform, interpret and document daily quality control
Assist in monitoring daily QC data and make judgments concerning accuracy, reproducibility and validity of laboratory method
Evaluate and document monthly quality control statistics
Institute and document corrective action when QC results exceed tolerance limits
Verify acceptability of QC prior to reporting any patient values
Follow maintenance protocols for all instruments, and document appropriately
Monitor QA indicators on instruments and institute corrective action as needed
Document other laboratory or specimen issues and problems appropriately
Instrumentation/Computer Skills
Exercise expertise in operation of a variety of laboratory equipment, including equipment requiring interpretative knowledge such as multi-parameter cell counters and automated coagulation analyzers
Perform and assist in monitoring calibration, QC and maintenance protocols for instruments as assigned
Act as a resource for other staff regarding instrument or computer issues.
Maintain excellent troubleshooting and corrective maintenance skills on all instruments. Appropriately document problems and notify lead technologist of instrument issues
Exhibit strong working knowledge of laboratory information system software
Effectively utilize computer systems, including statistical software, to perform work duties and training activities
Teaching Skills
Provide effective orientation and training for medical technology students, new employees or others
Act as a resource to staff and students during training
Complete necessary schedules, paperwork and training documents for students
Oversee training activities and review training documents to ensure trainee makes satisfactory progress towards completion of training requirements
Prepare and maintain slides and other teaching materials necessary for training
Provide performance feedback and reviews to medical technology students as required
Provide feedback to lead technologist, manager or Medical Technology faculty on performance of trainees
Communication/Customer Service
Represent the department professionally when interacting with other members of the healthcare team, including other divisions of the laboratory
Demonstrate strong communication and conflict resolution skills
Communicate clearly, directly and on a timely basis appropriate information to customers and co-workers, both orally and in writing
Maintain neat, legible and organized written work documents with appropriate dates and initials
Job Knowledge/Professional Growth
Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the theory and physiological importance of each test
Maintain competency and keep job knowledge current
Attend inservices and continuing education opportunities as available
Maintain Safe Working Habits
Exercise knowledge of laboratory safety and proper precautions when dealing with biohazardous, radioactive, corrosive, explosive and/or flammable materials
Practice "Universal Precautions" at all times
Report hazards and unsafe practices to supervisor
Keep abreast of safety procedures including fire plan, disaster drills, evacuation routes, etc.
Perform role of Floor Warden during fire alarms and other disaster situations
Know location of safety information and supplies, and be able to access in response to queries or emergency situations
Participate in laboratory disaster preparedness drills
Perform Related Duties as Assigned
Perform, document and report results on CAP and other proficiency testing materials
Make and verify quality of reagents
Assist in development and/or evaluation of new procedures and instruments as assigned
Perform administrative duties, special projects and related duties as assigned
May be required to perform venipunctures
May be required to prepare and process samples for transport and/or testing
Minimum Requirements:
Accredited Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science OR equivalent education/experience, AND Medical Laboratory Science certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology or equivalent, or certification with a specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division, AND
two years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist 1 or equivalent experience.
DESIRED:
Extensive experience in pretransfusion testing, to include complex antibody identification, component preparation, and automation.
Candidates must be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Conditions of Employment:
Employees working in Laboratory Medicine may be required to work in other departmental locations in order to meet patient service requirements, i.e. UWMC, HMC, CHRMC, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, SCCA, Roosevelt, Rosen, etc.
Laboratory Medicine staff are considered essential staff and as such will be required to report to work in all weather conditions to support patient care activities.
Must be willing to work nights and rotate weekends and holidays as needed
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