Clinical Laboratory Scientist

About This Role

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist executes procedures in assigned areas of the Laboratory to deliver accurate results in a timely manner. This role maintains competence to perform pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic procedures on biological specimens to aid health care providers in the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and prevention of disease. It involves performing a variety of basic and complex Laboratory procedures, including phlebotomy, specimen processing, quality control, quality assurance, and waived, moderate, or high complexity testing.

Responsibilities

• Perform procedures to complete test order entry, specimen collection, and specimen processing/handling
• Perform analyses of biological specimens using automated and manual test methods of waived, moderate, or high complexity (per CLIA definition), producing test results necessary for the diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and prevention of disease
• Perform post-analytic procedures, including interpretation, releasing, reporting results; amending/correcting results, responding to inquiries, and specimen storage and retrieval
• Recognize when patient results require additional action prior to reporting (e.g., delta checks and critical values), taking action appropriately
• Calibrate and adjust laboratory equipment according to requirements and manufacturer’s guidelines
• Provide regular preventive maintenance (where automated methods are used) of analytical equipment and perform minor adjustments and repairs
• Maintain a safe and orderly work area
• Manage inventory
• Perform quality control and proficiency testing
• Maintain record keeping, privacy, security, and confidentiality
• Contribute to continual process improvement
• Recognize when test systems are not functioning within control, taking action appropriately
• Maintain up-to-date operational information and job knowledge
• Effectively apply information, job knowledge, and critical thinking to make sound decisions and solve problems within scope of job responsibilities
• Escalate problems appropriately if outside of job scope
• Complete competency assessment activities as assigned
• Contribute to the satisfaction of internal and external customers by responding to and resolving inquiries, complaints, and problems; or by escalating appropriately if problem is outside of job scope
• Manage blood product inventory, maintaining adequate working and safety stock (if assigned to Transfusion Service)
• Perform pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic procedures for moderate and high complexity testing (if assigned to Transfusion Service)
• Prepare and issue blood products for transfusion (if assigned to Transfusion Service)
• Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, codes, accreditation standards, policies, processes, and procedures