Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Job Description

Position Title: Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Department:     Laboratory      

Reports To:     Laboratory Manager

Job Summary:

Responsible for the analysis of laboratory specimens and subsequent result reporting according to laboratory protocol and procedures.  Under the direction of the Pathologists and Laboratory Director/Manager, the Clinical Laboratory Scientist performs all technical (including maintenance), analytical, clerical, and quality assurance tasks and duties associated with laboratory testing.  The Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for overseeing the daily operations in one or more technical areas, which includes one or more of the following areas: Blood Bank (Transfusion Services), Microbiology, Chemistry, Hematology, Point-of-Care Testing, and/or Laboratory Information Systems).  The scientist is responsible for ensuring the technical area(s) is continuously in compliance with all regulatory requirements (CLIA, DNV, College of Pathologists, OSHA, etc) and for presenting the technical area(s) to all inspectors.   All Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) are required to maintain current CLS licensure and perform all work in compliance with all governmental regulations.

Education, Training and Licenses Required:

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science or related science
• Preferred Education: Completion of a one-year Clinical Laboratory Scientist training program approved by the California Department of Public Health.
• Current California Clinical Laboratory Scientist License
• ASCP Specialty registration preferred

Experience Required:

• Four (4) years’ experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist in a Clinical Lab setting in the Technical Area assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of all applicable regulations for the technical area(s) assigned (CLIA, CAP, AABB, OSHA, DNV, as appropriate)
• Experience and ability to write procedures and train and monitor staff.
• Ability to appropriately and respectfully teach and educate both new and experienced staff members.
• Expert in the technical area(s) assigned
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to use computer systems in an accurate and proficient manner
• Ability to multi-task and demonstrate initiative
• Ability to use critical thinking skills and decisive judgment.
• Ability and desire to work well individually and as a team member to meet testing requirements of productivity, turnaround time, prioritization, and accuracy.
• Must be able to work in a complex, fast-paced environment and take appropriate actions in challenging situations.

Position Specific Duties/Essential Functions/Required Competencies:

Pre-Analytic:

• Receives and processes patient specimens: urine, blood, spinal fluid, etc, when needed.
• Always verifies that the proper specimen is being analyzed for the proper patient and for the indicated test procedure.  Recognizes unacceptable specimen conditions and takes appropriate action per protocol. 
• Demonstrates appropriate specimen handling and ensures proper and accurate identification of specimen throughout the testing process.
• Oversees work performance and workflow of phlebotomists and lab assistants. 
• Troubleshoots problems related to patient preparation, specimen collection, specimen transportation, specimen processing, and specimen storage.
• Educates and counsels laboratory and hospital staff on appropriate specimen collection, handling, and management protocols to ensure accuracy of reported results.
• Performs competency evaluations on personnel performing specimen collection.

Analytic:

• Performs all duties of the Clinical Lab Scientist II as needed. Assumes oversight of laboratory in absence of Director and Manager.

• In conjunction with the Medical and Administrative Laboratory Directors and Manager, is responsible for selection of test methodology that is appropriate for clinical use of test results.
• Ensures all new tests are appropriately validated, including precision and accuracy, before being used for patient testing.
• Establishes quality control programs for the technical area that is appropriate for testing performed. Establishes the parameters for acceptable levels of analytic performance and ensures these levels are maintained throughout the entire testing process from the initial receipt of the specimen, through sample analysis and reporting of test results.  Ensures all staff adhere to quality control policies and provides education as needed. 
• Designs maintenance program for all equipment in technical area according to manufacturer protocol and regulatory needs. Identifies situations where additional maintenance is needed on an ongoing basis to ensure the validity of results.  Ensures all staff necessary are capable of performing all necessary maintenance tasks. Takes appropriate action if corrective action is needed, including education of staff and notification to Manager/Director of the lab.
• Ensures calibration of equipment is performed as required, including all necessary documentation.  Takes appropriate action if corrective action is needed, including education of staff and notification to supervisor
• Monitors test analyses to ensure acceptable levels of analytical performance are maintained.  Ensures all remedial actions have been taken and documented when tests systems deviate from established performance specifications.
• Ensures proficiency tests are performed according to regulation and laboratory policy.  Reviews all proficiency test results and directs appropriate corrective action for any unsatisfactory results.
• Remains current on all new protocols and technologies.  Trains and educates staff, as needed.
• Responsible for ensuring quality control procedures are performed and documented correctly in assigned area.  Reviews all out-of-control situations and ensures appropriate action has been taken and the problem is resolved.  Takes additional correction action if not.
• Prepares and compiles monthly Quality Assurance reports for Medical Director, as needed.
• Sets up appropriate inventory management system to ensure inventory of reagents, supplies, and controls are sufficient for ongoing testing. 
• Monitors and revises workflow to ensure turnaround times for testing are met.  Prioritizes STAT test requests right away without delay.  Identifies and helps to resolve processes leading to ongoing problems with turnaround times.
• Functions as a resource in resolution of issues and problems requiring the ability to troubleshoot procedures and instrumentation.
• Suggests changes to increase the validity and reliability of results.
• Performs complex and/or routine testing and analysis, including experimental testing.
• Identifies training needs and assures that each individual performing tests receives regular in-service training and education appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed
• Evaluates the competency of all testing personnel in accordance with CLIA guidelines and assures that the staff maintain their competency to perform test procedures and report test results promptly, accurately and proficiently.

Post-Analytic:

• Ensures staff are verifying accuracy and clinical validity of results before reporting.
• Ensures staff report results within established turnaround times (STAT, routine, etc).
• Recognizes critical values and ensures they are communicated to the appropriate person per protocol, and documents the communication.
• Ensures staff are able to recognize questionable results and that appropriate corrective action is taken before reporting.
• Identifies and helps to resolve processes leading to ongoing problems with reporting results to the appropriate individuals.
• In conjunction with the Medical and Administrative Laboratory Directors, ensures that reports of test results include pertinent information required for interpretation

Customer Service:

• Take initiative to perform all job duties without prompting.
• Consistently demonstrates awareness of operations in other areas of the lab and helps out whenever possible.
• At start of shift, communicates in a friendly and supportive manner with the previous shift to comprehend work status, work as a team, and take over work effort.
• At end of shift, interacts in a friendly and supportive manner with the next shift to communicate pending work and work as a team to complete and turn over work.
• Consistently projects a positive professional image through appearance and behavior, acting as a role model for other laboratory staff.
• Demonstrates appropriate telephone courtesy, identifying self and department when answering the phone and demonstrating professionalism in content and intonation of dialog with hospital staff and external customers.
• Consistently demonstrates excellent interpersonal and communication skills in all dealings with coworkers.
• Identifies problems and opportunities for improvement in regards to the way staff treat each other and treat patients, and brings these items to the attention of management.  Continues to monitor for signs of improvement           when corrective action is taken.

Other Essential Job Duties:

• Ensures pending logs are reviewed regularly to ensure all specimens are accounted for and all received specimens are completed within departmental time frames. Takes immediate remedial action to locate missing specimens/tests.
• Ensures results are consistently reviewed to identify any non-conformities. Takes appropriate action to resolve, including education of staff as needed.
• Effectively and proficiently uses all laboratory and hospital computer systems, including consistent reading of e-mails to ensure knowledge is current. Communicates changes and updates to staff both verbally and through well-constructed written methods. 
• Performs phlebotomy if needed, after completion of appropriate training and competency.
• Performs other job duties as necessary, consistent with training, education, and professional ethics.
• Willingly and quickly learns new laboratory skills and accepts assignments in other departments as needed.
• Helps support laboratory management by participation in research, development, and implementation of new laboratory testing procedures.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends or development in the field by reading appropriate books, journals, and attending related seminars, conferences, lab meetings, etc. Shares knowledge obtained with colleagues to improve overall depth of knowledge of departmental staff.
• Helps train and orient new team members
• With approval of the Laboratory Medical Director/ Manager, establishes and maintains procedures for every test in the assigned technical area(s). Ensures all staff have access to the procedure manual.
• Schedules work assignments and plans work schedules of staff to maintain consistent and adequate coverage of the laboratory in a cost-effective manner.
• Ensures continuous quality improvement, including investigation and appropriate follow up of reported incidents.

Equipment Knowledge Required:

Ability to understand functions of machines utilized in assigned departments for product evaluation and purchase. Ability to use office equipment with dexterity and A.V. equipment. Competency with the electronic documentation system must be obtained within 30 days of hire with full proficiency by 90 days of hire.