LAB - Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/MT) 36 hrs/wk. - Blanchard Valley Hospital

NOTE: Up to $15,000 signing bonus requires a 2 year commitment to BVHS and current associates are not eligible for this bonus or PRN, restrictions apply.

PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION

The purpose of the Lead Medical Lab Scientist or Technician is to have daily operational and overall technical oversight of clinical testing areas of the laboratory locations in which they work.  They are responsible for ensuring policies and procedures in the departments are up to date and according to the CAP (accrediting organization) standards, training new personnel, teaching students, and maintaining adequate coverage in the departments.   The Lead Tech is responsible for maintaining all compliance and meeting all technical regulatory requirements of accreditation for the clinical testing.  In addition, the Lead Tech will perform all aspects of testing on blood, tissue, and other body fluids, with which the results can then be used to diagnosis and treat patients.  This position will also assist the Laboratory Director/Manager in managing operations of the entire lab location as delegated, including staff performance evaluations.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Duty 1: Assists with organizing the department location on a daily and ongoing basis. Organizes department staffing schedules to maintain optimal staffing levels.  Responsible for daily oversite of clinical laboratory section and associates.  Develops orientation protocol. Orients and teaches students and new associates as necessary. Regularly demonstrates a thorough knowledge of current job duties. Keeps aware of new techniques in the field by reading and attending meetings. Participates actively in laboratory staff meetings. Keeps abreast of posted information from memos, minutes of meetings and department communication logs.

Duty 2: Uses customer’s name and smiles when communicating. Is timely in response to customers’ needs. Communication reflects BVHS scripting and culture of Service Excellence. Practices effective communication skills, i.e. listening, phone skills, etc.  Maintains clean, neat, professional appearance, i.e. wears ID badge, and complies with department dress code and BVHS appearance policy.

Duty 3: Maintains all department competency skills and proficiency testing requirements according to CAP guidelines as well as other organizational accrediting governing bodies for all department associates and themselves.  The Lead Tech shall maintain their personal competency and knowledge for all testing areas they are assigned.

Duty 4: Performs routine daily set-up and maintenance procedures on laboratory equipment. Records all data in proper place, evaluates and repairs if data is outside specifications. Informs laboratory director or manager of any unresolved malfunctioning laboratory equipment or reagents impacting patients’ services. Troubleshoots, repairs, or calls repair person when necessary. Performs with a minimum of errors. Works neatly and with accuracy regardless of volume of work. Works with lab director for the selection and acquisition of new lab equipment and products. Evaluates and sets up new laboratory procedures or instruments.

Duty 5: Responsible for ensuring all CAP, and other governing, accreditation standards are met, properly documented, and maintained to be “inspection ready”.  Actively uses the Lab Quality Management Software (QMS).  Shows willingness to assist other laboratory personnel as time permits. Works at a suitable pace. Can adjust as workload increases. Maintains organization of area despite frequent interruptions.

Duty 6: Maintains quality control records. Assesses quality control results to ensure good test results are reported. Follows proper procedure when found to be in an out-of-control situation. Demonstrates good understanding of Quality Control. Makes sure to communicate to other personnel any quality control or instrument problem, especially between shifts. Reviews quality control data to ensure good quality of work is being maintained. Correctly monitors and evaluates quality control information.

Duty 7: Properly records results on report forms including date and initials. Checks validity and accuracy of test results obtained by section personnel. Shows good judgment in determining accuracy of reported laboratory results. Consistently reviews other pertinent laboratory data to better assess abnormal test results.

Duty 8: Shows good organizational skills to ensure the patient’s results are available in a timely manner. Prioritizes correctly to ensure that most important work is completed first. Plans for the effective insertion of STATS into a busy schedule. Uses systematic approach to all areas of work.

Duty 9: Assists laboratory director or manager in interviewing prospective employees and evaluating present employees in the section.  Consistently makes good management decisions regarding his/her section. Demonstrates good attitude to peers and the laboratory personnel. Coordinates activities of workers to assure adequate coverage of the section. Delegates appropriate responsibilities to promote smooth operation of the department and growth of associate’s work experience. Provides immediate direction to duty assignments of all workers in the section. Demonstrates responsibility and accountability as their profession, practice and job dictates. Demonstrates maturity and accountability in serving all customers. Complies with organizational policies, procedures, and practices.

Duty10: Interacts well with patients. Interacts well with physicians. Cooperates with other professionals both inside and outside the laboratory. Maintains an organizational understanding of expectation that all laboratories operating within the BVHS health system are aligned to operate as one department to improve efficiency, quality, and value at the direction of the Administrative Laboratory Director.  Consistently maintains a cheerful professional manner. Makes suggestions in a positive, tactful manner.

Duty 11: Is punctual and is present when scheduled. Adheres to attendance policy – please document absences, occurrences, and tardiness.         

Duty 12: Completes all department mandatory learning requirements for specific job, successfully complete personal and departmental goals, and complete all assigned Laboratory Competency requirements and documentation. Associates must also work within and consistent with the BVHS Mission, Vision, and Values.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate of a NAACLS approved Medical Laboratory Science program or Medical Laboratory Technician program with 2 years of clinical laboratory experience and coursework necessary to be Board Eligible to take the MLS(ASCP) or MLT (ASCP) national certification registry exam.
• Applicant must be certified or must become certified within 12 months of hiring as an MLT(ASCP), MLT(AMT), MLS/MT(ASCP), or (HHS)(previously MT (HEW))
• Copy of college transcript and Copy of college diploma are required.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and leadership skills. 
• Positive service-oriented interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills required. 
• Knowledge of computers, telephone operations and other office equipment preferred.
• Knowledge of laboratory functions, medical terminology or science background preferred.
• Individual must be organized, able to prioritize, work in a fast-paced environment and have excellent problem-solving skills.
• Individual must be customer focused, service oriented and be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form.
• Individual must be able to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served on his/her assigned unit/department. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to their age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the area’s policies and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Baccalaureate degree of coursework necessary to take MLS/MT (ASCP) registry (or equivalent) with 2 years of experience.
• Associate degree of coursework necessary to take MLT (ASCP) registry (or equivalent) with 3 years of experience.
• Previous leadership experience is preferred and able to demonstrate strong leadership qualities necessary to increase associate productivity while striving for high associate satisfaction.
• Member of a professional organization.
• Individual must be organized, able to prioritize, work in a fast pace environment and have excellent problem-solving skills.
• Individual must be customer focused, service oriented and be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form.
• Individual must be able to work independently as well as in a team environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires a full range of body motion with intermittent walking, lifting, bending, climbing, squatting, kneeling, twisting, sitting and standing. This individual will be required to sit four hours, also stand/walk up to five hours per day. The individual must be able to lift twenty to fifty pounds and reach work above the shoulders. The associate must be able to use foot controls and have the ability to distinguish colors. Individual must have excellent verbal communication skills to perform daily tasks. This position requires corrected vision and hearing in the normal range. 

***This position is classified “at risk” for possible occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens (HBV, HCV, HIV, etc.)