Medical Laboratory Scientist

Fairview is seeking a Medical Laboratory Scientist to join the Acute Care Laboratory team at M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital in Maplewood, MN. This position is a 0.8 FTE (64 hours per biweekly pay period) and requires flexibility to work both day and evening shifts.

The laboratory at M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility offering a broad range of diagnostic services, including hematology, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and molecular diagnostics.  Fully accredited and staffed by a team of seasoned lab scientists (MLS/MLT), the laboratory is committed to precision, efficiency, and fast turnaround times.  The Lab fosters a supportive atmosphere for phlebotomists, prioritizing both patient comfort and safety.  The Laboratory Care Technicians (LCTs) thrive in a fast-paced environment where they collect patient specimens and engage in delivering high-quality care and ensuring a positive experience for every individual they encounter.  St John’s was also named one of the Best Regional Hospitals for the Twin Cities in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, recognizing its superior outcomes and commitment to excellence in patient care.

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

Responsibilities

• Follows established guidelines to obtain specimens and prioritize work.
• Obtains specimens from patients of all ages and degrees of physical and/or mental disability.
• 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.
• Performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic and therapeutic testing.
• Performs waived, moderate, or high complexity testing as defined by CLIA ’88.
• Functions independently in performing all major work responsibilities of professional laboratory practice.
• Operates laboratory instrumentation and information systems according to procedure.
• 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.
• Evaluates testing results for accuracy and appropriate intervention.
• Determines if test results fall within normal parameters and reporting protocols. Recognizes age-specific reference ranges.
• Correlates data based on clinical knowledge, technical expertise and other conditions affecting test results.
• Takes appropriate action to recheck abnormal, discrepant, or unexpected results.
• Directly communicates abnormal and critical results to care giver.
• Obtains information from caregivers to resolve reasons for incongruent results (physiologic or methodologic).
• 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.
• Recognizes and communicates values and trends that exceed the QC decision levels.
• Takes action to resolve and consults with supervisor as needed.
• Participates in the lab Performance improvement program by collecting data, reviewing the results, and implementing action step recommendations.
• Documents compliance with regulations of governmental or voluntary regulatory agencies.
• Collaborates with the customers of the laboratory to promote customer satisfaction.
• Orients and mentors’ new employees and students.
• Orients individuals in routine and complex testing methodology, instrumentation, and information systems.
• Checks work prior to release.
• Completes training checklists and evaluations as appropriate.
• Reports progress and problems to supervisor/manager.
• Demonstrates ability to provide care or service adjusting approaches to reflect developmental level and cultural differences of population served.

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 high complexity testing personnel as specified in CLIA ’88.
• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university in chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution. • 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.
• Applicant should possess or be eligible to receive appropriate Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved laboratory certification. • ASCP, ASCPi, or AMT – MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) or MT (Medical Technologist) within 1 Year or
• HEW Medical Technologist certification may be considered.