Technical Specialist - Laboratory

Responsibilities/Job Description:

This position is expected to be available Monday through Friday during normal business hours, with flexible start times and scheduling when appropriate. There will be occasional weekend work when traveling or during activations. There is an expectation that the individual in this position will be available to come in for activations.

 

This position supports the Special Pathogens Unit (SPU) at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center - West Bank, with a focus on testing for patients with High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCIDs).

 

This position is funded by a federal government grant that is renewed on a five-year cycle. Employment is guaranteed only as long as the grant remains funded.

 

Unique Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, including daily, weekly, monthly, and periodic quality control and maintenance activities.
• Oversee the training and competency assessment of SPU laboratory volunteers.
• Work in conjunction with SPU leadership to develop drill and exercise curriculum.
• Provide technical oversight of regulatory and Fairview laboratory requirements.
• Develop procedures for SPU laboratory instruments, waste management, and safety processes.
• Conduct outreach to Region V frontline hospitals in conjunction with SPU leadership.
• Travel to participate in national conferences, summits, and exercises in collaboration with other NETEC Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs).
• Participate in the NETEC Laboratory Workgroup and share best practices for HCID laboratory management.
• Participate in activations before, during, and after activation events.
• Collaborate with the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services and other stakeholders to help standardize HCID laboratory approaches across the country.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The Technical Specialist has direct responsibility for the technical operations of the Special Pathogens Unit laboratory or laboratory section. This includes serving as a technical resource, performing a wide variety of complex diagnostic procedures, and directing workflow to ensure the accurate, efficient, and cost-effective provision of testing services. This position also serves as a primary resource for compliance, regulatory, and quality assurance activities.

Responsibilities

• Assumes responsibility for the technical operations of assigned laboratory(s)/section(s) and participates in planning and financial management as appropriate. • Directs workflow in the daily operations of a laboratory section and is a technical resource for staff in problem solving and in the evaluation of testing results for accuracy, determining when recheck or other intervention is needed. This may include directly communicating results to provider to investigate and resolve incongruent results. • May be responsible for method development research, instrument correlation, and method validation. • Assures the performance of accurate testing. • Performs laboratory information systems functions; ensures that change requests are communicated to LIS. • Acts as resource for laboratory information systems (LIS) functions coordinating change and implementation requests as needed. • Ensures LIS changes are implemented once made. • Participates in system standardization teams.
• Performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic procedures including waived, moderate, or high complexity testing as defined by CLIA ’88. • Performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic procedures including 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 procedures. • Completes specified maintenance on instruments.
• Recognizes problems and takes appropriate measures to resolve them: • Performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic procedures including 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 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/manager if unable to resolve issues. • Exercises critical thinking to maintain and improve department productivity and efficiencies. • Assists supervisor/manager in designing, implementing, and evaluating new work processes or methods.
• Demonstrates understanding of and commitment to Laboratory Quality Assurance, Performance Improvement and Laboratory Compliance Programs: • Partners with key stakeholders to ensure appropriate quality and performance measures are in place to meet any policy, compliance, or regulatory requirements. • Coordinates the preparation of the lab section for inspection by accrediting agencies. • Documents deviations and action taken. • Takes action to evaluate and resolve QC outliers. Consults with supervisor/manager 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 laboratory 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 either a general supervisor for high complexity testing or a technical consultant for moderate complexity testing (dependent upon specialty) as specified in CLIA ’88.
• Bachelor of Science 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
• B.S./B.A. 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 meeting qualifications as a general supervisor for high complexity testing as specified in CLIA ’88. (Transcript must be provided); or
• Combination Education & Experience including 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 meeting qualifications as a general supervisor for high complexity testing as specified in CLIA ’88. (Transcript must be provided); or
• Master of Science 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 meeting qualifications as a general supervisor for high complexity testing as specified in CLIA ’88. (Diploma with field of study listed or transcript must be provided)
• 1 year laboratory training or experience, or both, in high complexity testing required for candidates with baccalaureate or higher degree in chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology when filling a CLIA General Supervisor role; or
• 1 year laboratory training or experience, or both, in moderate complexity testing required for candidates with baccalaureate or higher degree in chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology when filling a CLIA Technical Consultant role; or
• 2 years laboratory training or experience, or both, in high complexity testing required 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. • Labs-Acute Care – ASCP, ASCPi, or AMT – MLS or MT HEW Medical Technologist certification may be considered within 1 Year.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience in high-consequence infectious disease testing.
• Two years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) working in a Microbiology or Infectious Diseases laboratory.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to present information clearly and confidently to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary healthcare teams and build collaborative relationships with physicians, registered nurses (RNs), laboratory staff, EMS personnel, and other healthcare professionals preferred.

Qualifications: $90,792.00- $131,123.20 Annual