MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST LEAD
Req #: | 166896 |
Department: | LABORATORY MEDICINE |
Job Location: | Harborview Medical Center |
Posting Date: | 04/19/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | $5,484 - $8,084 per month. |
Union Position: | Yes |
Shift: | Permanent Evening Shift |
The Laboratory Medicine department has an outstanding opportunity for a DAY SHIFT, FULL-TIME MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST LEAD. The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Lead 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. May also include responding to trauma codes, and delivery and facilitation of blood products to the bedside. Position also includes training of students and new employees in the performance of such testing. Responsible for daily operations in clinical Transfusion Service laboratory. Regularly assign, instruct and check the work of others. Lead the professional technical work performed by Medical Lab Scientist. In conjunction with manager, provide direction, training and leadership for staff; develop and evaluate new methodologies and procedures; and write, review and revise technical procedures.
Technical Quality of Work
Perform and oversee testing of blood, and blood products in the transfusion service laboratories. Assigned areas may include pretransfusion testing, routine and complex antibody identification procedures, and component preparation.
- Review and evaluate test results; use expert job knowledge to make critical judgments regarding acceptability of results and donor compatibility for transfusion.
- Develop and evaluate new processes, methods, reagents, or instrumentation in conjunction with manager and faculty.
- Work with attention to detail and with critical review to avoid errors.
- Correlate abnormal results with pathologic and physiologic states to determine validity and reasonableness of data.
- Identify the technical, instrumental or physiologic cause of abnormal results or problems.
- Serve as a resource for other personnel in investigating and solving problems.
- Take appropriate action on critical, abnormal or unusual results.
- As needed, consult with faculty, residents or patient care providers concerning unusual results.
Teamwork / Enable Laboratory Operations
- Provide leadership and oversight to section.
- Demonstrate positive leadership skills such as empathy, creativity and fairness.
- Regularly assign, instruct and check the work of staff and students.
- Establish priorities in daily work to be done in section.
- Monitor workflow and distribute resources to meet the needs of the laboratory; consult with manager about staffing requirements.
- Promote understanding and support for divisional and departmental policies.
- Display leadership and flexibility in adapting to new routines and modifications of work assignments and schedules.
- Actively model and encourage staff participation in problem solving and quality improvement activities.
- Share responsibility for emergency coverage, overtime, on-call and call-back needs of the laboratory.
- Inventory supplies and consumables and submit orders for approval. May assist in negotiation of prices and arranging standing orders, service contracts and capital equipment purchases.
Quality Assurance Activities
- Oversee quality assurance activities within the section, including QC and instrument maintenance.
- Maintain laboratory procedures, including writing new procedures and revising existing procedures under the direction of faculty and manager.
- Review quality assurance reports to confirm standards of care are being met.
- Review quality control reports on a regular basis to detect shifts or tends indicating potential problems, and institute corrective action before major problems develop.
- Document, report and review results on CAP and other proficiency testing materials.
- In conjunction with manager, be responsible for assessing, initiation, maintaining and monitoring compliance with CAP and JCAHO regulations within the section.
Instrumentation / Computer Skills
- Exercise expertise in operation and troubleshooting of a variety of laboratory equipment, including equipment requiring interpretative knowledge such as multi-parameter cell counters and automated coagulation analyzers.
- Perform or oversee calibration, QC and preventive maintenance activities of staff members and instrument repair technicians.
- Effectively utilize supervisory functions in laboratory information system software.
- Effectively utilize computer systems, including email and statistical software, to perform work duties and training activities.
- Assure instrument and computer interface QA requirements are fulfilled.
- Work with department computer staff on computer-related changes and problems.
- Keep manager informed of instrument or computer problems.
Teaching Skills
- Provide effective orientation and training to new employees or others.
- Provide fair, immediate and private feedback on technical performance issues to individuals.
- Provide feedback to manager on performance of trainees and staff, ongoing personnel competency issues and exceptional employee performance.
- Collaborate with manager to ensure required training and documentation of training is obtained for all staff.
- Oversee new employee training activities and review training documents to ensure trainee makes satisfactory progress towards completion of training requirements.
- May teach or delegate teaching of students, in both lab and lecture settings.
Communication / Customer Service
- Represent the department professionally when interacting with other members of the healthcare team.
- 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.
- Communicate changes in procedures clearly to all staff and maintain documentation of changes and staff training.
- Facilitate open communication between staff, manager, faculty and support staff.
- Maintain neat, legible and organized written work documents with appropriate dates and initials.
Job Knowledge / Professional Growth
- Maintain advanced level of theoretical and technical expertise for all procedures in assigned section.
- Maintain knowledge of current CAP and JCAHO regulations.
- Maintain competency and keep job knowledge current.
- Continue education through departmental seminars, lectures, professional workshops, etc.
- Attend staff meetings and required trainings as requested.
Maintain safe working environment
- Maintain knowledge and consistently practice proper precautions when dealing with biohazardous, radioactive, corrosive, explosive and/or flammable materials.
- Provide oversight to ensure staff follow proper safety precautions and practice "Universal Precautions" at all times.
- Recognize and take corrective action to resolve safety hazards, or notify manager or other appropriate personnel.
- Keep abreast of safety procedures including fire plan, disaster drills, evacuation routes, etc.
- Ability to 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 additional duties and responsibilities delegated or assigned by manager or faculty director, including administrative duties, special projects and related duties as assigned.
- May rotate to other sections and perform duties of a CT1 or CT2 when necessary.
- May be required to perform venipunctures.
- May be required to prepare and process samples for transport and/or testing.
Perform other duties as required.
Requirements:
Accredited Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science OR equivalent education/experience, AND Medial Laboratory Science certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology or equivalent, or certification with a specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division, AND Three years of professional experience including one year as a Medical Laboratory Scientist 2 or equivalent.
Desirables:
- Extensive experience in pretransfusion testing, to include complex antibody identification, component preparation, and automation.
- Previous lead experience.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
This position provides opportunities to work in a fast-paced, challenging, diverse and rewarding environment. As an employee you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, your experiences, perspectives and unique identities will be honored at the University of Washington. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
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The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.