Clinical Laboratory Scientist V

Job Description:
Medical Technologist V/ Clinical Laboratory Scientist V
Under the minimal supervision of the Hemoglobinopathy and EIA Branch Manager oversees, coordinates and directs activities for high volume, critical testing performed for the Newborn Screening laboratory. Oversees the technical activities of the laboratory including daily specimen handling processes, quality assurance and management functions; encourages communication within the area and specimen logistics consultative services to program staff, the general public, stakeholders and public health facilities staff. Responsible for making significant independent decisions about the accuracy of laboratory procedures used for processing human clinical specimens. Identifies discrepancies and implements and documents corrective actions and outcomes. Serves as an authority, technical resource and primary contact for specimen acceptability, preparation (punching), quality improvement projects and purchasing of NBS testing supplies and consumables. Serves as a positive role model. Coordinates and oversee purchasing process for NBS kits, reagents, supplies and other consumables. Participates in preparing laboratory budgets, equipment assessment and incorporating new technologies. Actively participate in the safety program. Assists with continuous improvement of specimen quality and handling and ensures specimen processing follows an established schedule. Actively participates in the safety program. Duties are independently performed with minimal supervision and extensive latitude for the use of initiative to develop and interpret protocols with advanced use of scientific knowledge and independent judgment.
Required to work a Saturday rotational schedule. Essential Job Functions:
EJF 1. (25%) Specimen preparation management: Oversees and coordinates to ensure that the daily specimen preparation (punching) of high-volume newborn screening specimens is completed accurately, efficiently and within established time frames. Trains NBS staff on specimen preparation and punching equipment maintenance. Maintains technical proficiency in all specimen-preparation procedures assisting with bench duties, as needed. Coordinates NBS workload in cooperation with all laboratory and support service areas. Coordinates technical workflow schedules with other NBS team managers including required staffing coverage. Ensures all equipment preventive maintenance is completed per schedule. Oversees and performs routine and specialized preventive maintenance of highly complex punching equipment. Identifies problems, performs troubleshooting, makes adjustments as indicated, requests vendor support when needed and completes required documentation. Provides NBS groups and team managers with feedback concerning employee technical (specimen handling) and non-technical performance as well as staffing requirements. Documents NBS Groups staff technical competency for specimen preparation (punching) per CLIA/CAP regulations.
EJF 2. (25%) Specimen Acceptability Management: Coordinates and ensures accuracy and consistency of specimen quality acceptance review procedures and performs independent review of problematic NBS specimens to determine acceptability. Ensures that the review is completed within established time frames. Ensures that all NBS staff are trained to recognize and correctly respond to compromised samples encountered during testing. Coordinates and provides training as needed to designated personnel to determine acceptability of specific specimens that would invalidate specific analytical screen test results. Organizes and facilitates periodic meetings for staff responsible for specimen acceptability reviews. Documents NBS Groups staff technical competency for specimen acceptability review per CLIA/CAP regulations.
EJF 3 (25%) Coordinating purchasing: Prepares monthly, quarterly and yearly purchasing plan for NBS consumables procured via contract to ensure NBS testing is not disrupted due to lack of supplies. Ensures plan is in line with contract. Communicates with all NBS managers to ensure purchasing needs are meet. Ensures adequate inventory of supplies to prevent delays in critical testing services. Ensures requisitions are entered accurately and timely and provide documentation of received items to pay invoices. Participates in preparing cost analyses, team budgets, equipment assessment, and staffing requirements.
EJF 4. (20%) Quality Management: Ensures accuracy of pre-analytical testing procedures through regular reviews of Quality Assurance (QA) monitoring parameters. Ensures that all processes are accurate and incorporates check processes to safeguard the verification and accurate reporting of test results. Identifies discrepancies, implements, and documents corrective actions and outcomes. Maintains and updates CAP and CLIA-compliant standard operating procedure (SOP) manuals, including the punching SOP. Develops, implements, and reviews laboratory procedures and safety guidelines to meet laboratory assessment requirements and maintain accreditation. Ensures adequate inventory of supplies to prevent delays in critical testing services. Assists with annual review and revision of specimen collection form. Ensure specimen collection form is tested and meet all parameters before specimen collections forms are released to providers. Participates in preparing equipment assessment, and recommended staffing requirements to ensure timelines are meet. Assists with research, evaluation, and development projects to assure the best processes and equipment are in place for sample preparation and sample acceptability. Coordinates and implements new procedures as appropriate. Communicates changes to NBS Managers and staff as needed in regard to improvements. Assists with projects to review and improve the efficiency and efficacy of the NBS punch and specimen quality review process. Consistently complies with DSHS Laboratory, local, state, and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.
EJF 5 (5%) Customer Service: Provides excellence in customer service to all customers. Provides regular feedback assessment to specimen acquisition, specimen logistics and reporting support service teams. Conducts NBS general presentations, tours, and student training. Serves as an advanced resource on the NBS program activities such as specimen acceptability and sample preparation. Performs assignments to enhance workflow of the NBS Groups through cooperative interaction with coworkers. Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Performs other duties as assigned. Knowledge Skills Abilities:
• Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory, clinical chemistry, quality control, quality assurance, CAP and CLIA regulations and specimen processing principles, techniques, safety and medical terminology.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to public health specifically focused on Newborn Screening.
• Skill in providing customer service to internal and external customers including medical personnel and the public via telephone, fax and in person or writing.
• Skill to manipulate standard laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy, and safety.
• Skill in collection and handling of protected health data and other confidential records.
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance.
• Ability to interpret, understand and adhere to applicable public health laws and rules relating to legislatively mandated newborn screening and associated confidential information.
• Ability to perform specimen quality acceptance and specimen preparation procedures, detect and troubleshoot problems that could influence test results such as problems with equipment, specimen integrity and employee performance.
• Ability to make technical decisions and use mature judgment in test interpretation based on professional knowledge and experience.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff, work in harmony with other team members.
• Ability to work independently, organize, multi-task and self-motivate as appropriate to complete tasks without close supervision and use considerable discretion and mature judgment in interactions with public.
• Ability to maintain several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and protocols accurately.

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