Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead

In 2020, united in a fierce commitment to deliver the highest quality care and exceptional patient experience, Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Health came together as natural partners to build a new health system centered around the patient: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Our combined system builds upon the scale and expertise of our nearly 300 sites of care, including 11 hospitals and nearly 5,000 physicians and providers. Together, we are empowered to make an even greater impact on the health and well-being of our communities.

CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason are now united to build the future of patient-centered care across the Pacific Northwest. That means a seamlessly connected system offering quality care close to home. From basic health needs to the most complex, highly specialized care, our patients can count on us to meet their needs with convenient access to the region’s most prestigious experts and innovative treatments and technologies. 

While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that may include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!

Sign on bonus available for qualifying new external MLS! 

Job Summary / Purpose:
Accurately analyzes and reports all tests ordered by the Medical Staff in a timely manner and according to laboratory procedures and regulatory guidelines  to aid in the diagnosis and  treatment of patients. 
Essential Key Job Responsibilities
Performs and reports waived, moderately complex, and highly complex test procedures on patient specimens adhering to the Section’s Standard Operating Procedures to ensure accurate and timely reporting 
Provides excellent patient care through clinical correlation of results, identification of patterns of bias, rapid notification of appropriate caregivers of critical values, and completion of testing within established turn-around-time limits
Ensures that major automated equipment is operational by performing required maintenance, calibration and  troubleshooting procedures; including contacting of instrument vendor for assistance or repair 
Performs required calibration and quality control procedures and maintains records to ensure tests are being performed within established parameters
Performs proficiency testing as assigned and review results with laboratory clinical leaders
Assists in evaluation and generation of compliant documentation for the validation of new procedures and equipment to provide the physician with the most current laboratory technology 
Participates in opportunities for continuing education and/or teaching, training according to the Section Performance Standards to enhance technical skills of students, trainees, coworkers, and self
Responsible for inventory of supplies, including providing assistance with monitoring supplies, ordering, and placing received supplies into storage 
Completes all work and resolves or appropriately passes ongoing issues to incoming staff within the scheduled shift
As a representative of CommonSpirit Health, utilizes professionalism and HumanKindness while communicating with physicians, hospital staff, patients, coworkers, other stakeholders in laboratory operations, and all members of the general public, whether in email, instant messaging, telephone, or face-to-face interactions
Adheres to all regulatory requirements 

Job Description: 
The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Lead responsibilities may include:

• Receiving a report from each section when arriving on duty to assess the status of equipment, pending work and coverage
• Coordinating scheduling and section assignments to ensure adequate staffing coverage; monitoring rest and meal breaks; resolving workflow issues
• Taking calls from physicians, nurses and other clients and resolving issues of communicating them to the appropriate supervisor or manager
• Serving as a resource for testing protocols or instrument troubleshooting.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in a biological or chemical science as defined by CLIA.

Required Licensure and Certifications:
California:  CLS:CA
Nevada: GENSUP:NV
North Dakota: MT-L:ND
Tennessee: MT-L:TN or MT ASCP or equivalent certification (per requirement sheet)
Georgia: MT ASCP or equivalent certification (per requirement sheet)
Other state license not required

Certification Preferred:
MLS (ASCP) or equivalent (Per requirement sheet)

Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Training:
Must be appropriately trained in clinical laboratory science as evaluated by the Director of the Clinical Laboratory