Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Hem/BB)

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, Casa Grande, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary:

The purpose of this position is to serve as a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist in the Hematology/Blood Bank Section of the Tohono O'odham Nation Sells Hospital Laboratory Branch. This position is responsible for performing work leader assignments for three (3) or more Clinical Laboratory Scientists engaged in laboratory duties and performing medical laboratory procedures, including phlebotomy, highly complex analyses, and infrequently required tests; evaluating abnormal or unusual patient results; operating and maintaining complex laboratory equipment; and setting up and monitoring daily, weekly, or monthly quality control.

Scope of Work:The employee is responsible for planning, implementing, and developing the clinic's laboratory section, which includes phlebotomy, general/routine laboratory testing, solving highly complex diagnostic problems, and modifying or adapting new methods or techniques to improve or expand services specific to the following areas: hematology, coagulation, chemistry, urinalysis, microbiology, rapid test methods, and referral specimen processing. The incumbent performs very complex analysis, designs, evaluates new methods, provides advice and expertise to assist departmental employees and medical staff on hematology, blood bank, coagulation, urinalysis, and reference testing. The incumbent reports to the Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Supervisor), who reports to the Clinical Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Depending on the area of assignment, an incumbent may not be required to perform some of the duties listed below):

• Defines reference values/ranges using statistical methods, sets up and monitors record-keeping systems, and effective quality control/quality improvement/proficiency procedures. Identify the need for change in the quality assurance programs for Hematology, blood bank, coagulation, and urinalysis.
• Prepare reagents and maintain stores of general and special products for functional and immunologic assays of hematology, blood bank, coagulation, and urinalysis sections.
• Perform routine, complex, highly complex, and unusual tests and studies requiring specialized knowledge and skill (e.g., fibrinogen, fibrin split products, platelet function tests, degradation studies).
• Perform phlebotomy and ordering of all tests requested by outpatient department RNs or providers.
• Evaluate the validity of data with the test system and assay procedures. Integrates and correlates test data with other laboratories, peer groups, proficiency data, and patient data to lead to the determination status of an analyzer or assay.
• Creates, uses, or modifies logic schemes to determine corrective actions for problems identified.
• Determines if additional information is needed to clarify test results and establish a 'definitive diagnosis and -confers with physicians on further tests as necessary.
• Perform routine, complex, unusual tests and studies in Hematology, Immunohematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Clinical Chemistry, Endocrinology, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Microbiology, Mycology, Mycobacteriology, and Virology.
• Serves as the work leader of the Hematology/Blood Bank Section within the Laboratory Branch, responsible for assuring the completion of clinical laboratory scientists' work assignments in the laboratory.
• Articulates and communicates assignments, projects, problems to be solved, actionable events, milestones, program issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion.
• Advise the specialists in other sections of the laboratory or different hospital departments on advanced hematology, coagulation, and urinalysis techniques.
• Trains or arrange for staff members training in the Hematology/Blood Bank Section in methods and techniques of team building and working in teams to accomplish tasks or projects.
• Provide leadership to staff members located within the Hematology/Blood Bank Section.
• Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the Supervisor's instructions on work priorities, methods, deadlines, and quality have been met.
• Prepares reports and maintains records of work accomplishments and administrative information, as required, and coordinates the preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information to the Supervisor.
• Reports to the Supervisor periodically on the Section's work accomplishments, problems, progress in mastering tasks and work processes, and individual and staff member training needs.
• Evaluate, modify, adapt new methods, policies, procedures, or revises standard techniques to improve or expand quantity, accuracy, precision, specificity, or proficiency of analysis (e.g., evaluates new test systems, kits, and equipment) in compliance with regulations (CLIA 88, HCFA, JCAHO, CAP, OSHA).
• Compares new methods with existing or references methods by evaluating deficiencies and suitability (analysis of cost, convenience, efficiency).
• Assess advances in medical technology for hematology, blood bank, coagulation studies, and urinalysis procedures.
• Recommends and initiates actions to correct problems identified to meet requirements.
• Provides instructions, training, and explanation in tasks and job techniques and makes written instructions, reference material, and supplies available.
• Anticipates needs and progress of work and makes day-to-day adjustments by established priorities, obtaining assistance from the Supervisor to resolve issues promptly.
• On a rotating basis, the incumbent may act as the Supervisor in their absence.
• Prepares reports and maintains records of work accomplishments and administrative information, as required, and coordinates the preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information to the Supervisor.
• Incumbent must maintain clinical skills and competency in all laboratory sections.

Knowledge,Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of professional medical technology principles, practices, concepts, and theories unique to hematology, blood bank, coagulation, and urinalysis.
• Knowledge and skill are sufficient to consult with physicians and providers on the logical protocol to confirm a patient's diagnosis.
• Provide technical instructions on problems others have been unable to solve by use of established decision criteria.
• Knowledge of related disciplines such as antineoplastic therapy and pharmacology to coordinate the testing program with other laboratory components and select and evaluate procedures for the section.
• Knowledge of recognized reference standards, medico-legal responsibilities, accrediting agency requirements, and Federal and State law regulations sufficient to ensure that section plans and procedures are consistent with requirements.
• Knowledge of standard practices for specimen collection, storage, processing, and mailing (transport) specimens for testing by various reference laboratories.
• The skills and knowledge to perform phlebotomy procedures on all age-specific groups to include neonates, children, adults, and geriatric patients.
• Ability to perform the more complex and infrequent tests in the section; evaluate, modify, and implement new methods; and participate in selecting supplies and equipment.
• Ability to perform work leader duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain privileged, confidential information.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Ability to work extended hours and various work schedules.

MinimumQualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, or closely related field, and four years of work experience in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, and urinalysis/body fluids in a laboratory, or an equivalent combination of training, education, and work experience closely related to the clinical laboratory scientist's duties and responsibilities.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and a National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.
• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).
• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.
• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as employment conditions.