Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead, HMC Transfusion Services Laboratory

Work schedule: 

• 100% FTE 

• Evening shift

• Monday – Friday with rotating weekends and holidays

What you’ll contribute: 

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 of 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 trends 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 the manager, assess, initiate, maintain, and monitor 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 for 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 trainees make 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 training as requested. 

Maintain Safe Working Habits  

• Maintain knowledge and consistently practice proper precautions when dealing with biohazardous, radioactive, corrosive, explosive and/or flammable materials.   

• Provide oversight to ensure staff always follows proper safety precautions and practice “Universal Precautions.”  

• Recognize and take corrective action to resolve safety hazards or notify the manager or other appropriate personnel. 

• Keep abreast of safety procedures including fire plans, disaster drills, evacuation routes, etc. 

• Be able 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 an MLS 1 or MLS 2 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  

What you’ll need: 

• Accredited Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science OR equivalent education/experience 

AND 

• Medical Laboratory Science certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent, or certification with a specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division 

AND 

• Three (3) years of professional experience including one (1) year as a Medical Laboratory Scientist 2 or equivalent. 

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration. 

Desired qualifications: 

• Experience in pretransfusion testing to include complex antibody identification, component preparation, and automation.  

• Previous lead experience. 

• Active SBB certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). 

What we offer: 

• $4,000 - $5,000 recruitment incentive for eligible new employees joining UW Medicine.  

• Relocation incentive for eligible new employees.  

• Vacation time and sick time off that accrue monthly, including 12 paid holidays. 

• State Employee Tuition Exemption Program covering up to 6 credits of qualifying coursework per quarter at the University of Washington or other participating colleges or universities. 

• Fully subsidized public transit pass (U-PASS) that covers multiple forms of public transportation in the region.  

• Excellent healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options. 

• Lots of free fantastic fitness, healthy eating, finance, and stress reduction classes offered through the Whole U. 

• And much more!  

About the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology: 

A regional resource for clinical laboratory services required for innovative patient care, research and educational programs, the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at UW Medicine combines the sophisticated testing and informatics capabilities of fully accredited laboratories with the resources of an academic institution in its delivery of clinical and anatomic pathology services. Recognized for excellence in clinical training, world-class research initiatives, and a commitment to community service, we serve labs and medical facilities both nationally and internationally.  

Please visit our website to learn more about our department.  

About UW Medicine: 

UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals. 
 
All across UW Medicine, our employees collaborate to perform the highest quality work with integrity and compassion and to create a respectful, welcoming environment where every patient, family, student and colleague is valued and honored. Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family of organizations that include Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center - Montlake, UW Medical Center - Northwest, Valley Medical Center, UW Medicine Primary Care, UW Physicians, UW School of Medicine, and Airlift Northwest.  

Become part of our team. Join our mission to make life healthier for everyone in our community.