Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist - Technical

Fairview is seeking a Lead Medical Laboratory Scientist to join the Acute Care Laboratory at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center-West Bank. This position is 80 hours per two‑week pay period on the Night Shift (10:45 p.m. – 9:15 a.m.), following an 8‑days‑on / 6‑days‑off rotation and including three weekends in every six‑week cycle.  

The night shift offers an excellent opportunity to expand your expertise through more complex testing, work with greater independence, and earn a higher hourly rate. 

This role is eligible for a Shift Incentive Bonus of up to $2,000, paid every six months (pro‑rated based on FTE). We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including Tuition Assistance and Reimbursement. 

Our Acute Care Laboratories support a wide range of testing, including hematology, chemistry, blood gas, coagulation, urinalysis, transfusion medicine, and blood collection/processing. The West Bank lab serves both pediatric and adult patients and is staffed 24/7 by a dedicated team of 100 professionals. 

The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Technical Lead functions independently in performing all major work responsibilities of professional laboratory practice. The MLS Technical Lead performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic and therapeutic testing, and acts as a resource for problem resolution and interpretation of results. The MLS Technical Lead correlates data based on clinical knowledge, technical expertise, and other conditions affecting test results. The MLS Technical Lead participates in laboratory performance improvement activities. The MLS Technical Lead collaborates with the customers of the laboratory to promote appropriate use of laboratory resources.

Responsibilities

• Follows established guidelines to obtain specimens and prioritize work.
• Obtains specimens from patients of all ages and degrees of physical and/or mental ability.
• Properly verifies patient identity.
• Assesses integrity of all specimens for testing.
• Verifies correct identification of specimens before testing.
• Follows established guidelines for determining priority of specimen testing and procurement.
• Determines and/or revises priorities for specimen procurement within department guidelines and clinical information
• Performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic and therapeutic testing.
• Performs waived, moderate or high complexity testing as defined by CLIA ’88.
• May be responsible for method development research, instrument correlation, and method validation.
• In absence of a supervisor, may direct work flow in the daily operation of a laboratory section and provide direction and problem solving skills for laboratory functions.
• Functions independently in performing all major work responsibilities of professional laboratory practice.
• Operates laboratory instrumentation and information systems according to procedures.
• Completes specified maintenance on instruments
• Recognizes problems and takes appropriate measures to resolve them.
• Acts as a resource for problem solving, action steps and troubleshooting for lab procedures and unexpected events in lab operations
• Initiates proper safety or emergency responses.
• Consults with supervisor if unable to resolve issues.
• Exercises critical thinking to maintain and improve department productivity and efficiencies.
• Assists supervisor in designing, implementing and evaluating new work processes or methods.
• Evaluates testing results for accuracy and appropriate intervention.
• Determines if test results fall within normal parameters and reporting protocols. Recognizes age-specific reference ranges.
• May be responsible for method development research, instrument correlation, and method validation.
• In absence of a supervisor, may direct work flow in the daily operation of a laboratory section and provide direction and problem-solving skills for laboratory functions.
• Functions independently in performing all major work responsibilities of professional laboratory practice.
• Operates laboratory instrumentation and information systems according to procedures.
• Completes specified maintenance on instruments.
• Demonstrates understanding of and commitment to Laboratory Quality Assurance, Performance Improvement and Laboratory Compliance Programs
• Documents deviations and action taken.
• Documents reagent, test kit and calibrator checks.
• Takes action to evaluate and resolve QC outliers. Consults with supervisor for assistance if needed.
• Assumes responsibility for the lab performance improvement program by suggesting areas for improvement, collecting data, reviewing the results, and recommending action steps to be taken.
• Documents compliance with and demonstrates working knowledge of regulations of governmental or voluntary agencies.
• Collaborates with the customers of the laboratory to promote appropriate use of laboratory resources.
• Orients and mentors’ new employees and students.
• Orients individuals in laboratory operations including routine and complex testing methodology, instrumentation, and information systems.
• Responsible for monitoring and documenting the progress of the orientation and training, provides feedback to trainee.
• Completes training checklists and evaluations as appropriate.
• Assists supervisor/manager in developing learning plans.
• Checks work prior to release.

Required Qualifications

• Baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college/university in a related laboratory field including the related lab practicum or equivalent routes meeting qualifications as a general supervisor for high complexity testing as specified in CLIA ’88.
• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university in chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology. • Diploma with field of study listed or transcript must be provided. or
• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university with 16 semester hours in biology including one semester in microbiology and 16 semester hours in chemistry including one semester in organic or biochemistry. • Transcript must be provided. or
• A transcript evaluation verifying equivalency to a U.S. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university. • Equivalency verification documentation must be provided. or
• Completion of a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training course and a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university with 16 semester hours in biology including one semester in microbiology and 16 semester hours in chemistry including one semester in organic or biochemistry. • Transcript must be provided. or
• Master’s degree from an accredited college/university in molecular biology, biotechnology, chemistry, biology, cytology, immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, allied health, medical laboratory science, or an appropriately related field. • Diploma with field of study listed or transcript must be provided.
• 1 year of laboratory training or experience, or both, in high complexity testing for candidates with baccalaureate or higher degree in chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology. or
• 2 years of laboratory training or experience, or both, in high complexity testing for candidates qualifying by baccalaureate degree and semester hours.
• Applicant should possess or be eligible to receive appropriate Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved laboratory certification. within 1 Year
• Labs-Acute Care – • ASCP, ASCPi, or AMT – MLS or MT within 1 Year or
• HEW Medical Technologist certification may be considered.
• Labs-Admin – • ASCP, ASCPi, or AMT – MLS or MT within 1 Year
• Labs-Outreach – • ASCP, ASCPi, or AMT – MLS or MT within 1 Year
• Labs-Point of Care – • ASCP, ASCPi, or AMT – MLS or MT within 1 Year
• Labs-Blood Bank – • ASCP or ASCPi – MLS, MT, BB or SBB within 1 Year
• Labs-Blood Bank – • ASCP or ASCPi – MLS, MT, BB or SBB within 1 Year
• Labs-IFC – • ASCP or ASCPi – MLS, MT, SCYM, or SH • AMT – MLS or MT within 1 Year
• Labs-Immunology/HLA – • ASCP or ASCPi – MLS or MT • AMT – MLS or MT • ACHI – CHT or CHS within 1 Year
• Labs-Infectious Disease – • ASCP or ASCPi – MLS, MT, M, SM, MB, SMB, V or SV • AMT – MLS or MT within 1 Year
• Labs-Molecular Diagnostics – • ASCP or ASCPi – MLS, MT, MB, or SMB • AMT – MDT, MLS or MT within 1 Year
• Labs-Special Chemistry – • ASCP or ASCPi – MLS, MT, C or SC • AMT – MLS or MT within 1 Year
• Labs-Special Coagulation – • ASCP or ASCPi – MLS, MT, H or SH • AMT – MLS or MT within 1 Year