Clinical Laboratory Scientist

CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST SUMMARY

The laboratory must have a clinical laboratory scientist who analyzes various biological specimens and is responsible for testing samples and reporting results to physicians.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The clinical laboratory scientist is responsible for the technical and scientific oversight of the laboratory. The technical supervisor is responsible for:

• Accessible to the laboratory to provide on-site, telephone, or electronic consultation as needed.
• Selection of test methods appropriate for clinical inclusion of results.
• Establishment of method verification procedures adequate to determine accuracy, precision, and other pertinent performance characteristics of each test method.
• Ensuring that the laboratory is enrolled in an HHS-approved proficiency testing program that includes all testing performed in the laboratory.
• Ensure the laboratory's proficiency testing performance is evaluated and the appropriate personnel identifies necessary corrective action.
• Establish a quality control program that includes parameters for acceptable performance.
• Establish an acceptable level of analytical performance for all laboratory testing, including the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases.
• Ensure that significant deviations from the laboratory's established performance specifications are identified, necessary remedial actions are initiated and documented, and patient test results are only reported when the system functions correctly.
• Identify staff training needs and ensure regular in-service training and education for staff.
• Evaluation of the performance of each staff person semi-annually from the date of employment and thereafter, on an annual basis, and when new systems or methods are introduced for testing.
• Assessment of staff competency to adequately perform all phases of assigned laboratory activities, including pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical duties.
• This may include:
• As applicable, direct observation of the test performances, including pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical activities.
• Monitoring the reporting of test results.
• Reviewing worksheets, logs, quality control results, proficiency testing results, and maintenance records.
• Assessment of test performance by utilizing previously analyzed samples, proficiency testing samples, or internal blind testing samples.
• Assessment of problem-solving skills.
• Other duties as assigned.

AVAILABILITY

The technical supervisor must be accessible to the laboratory on an as-needed basis to provide technical and scientific supervision to the laboratory.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

The technical supervisor must have one of the following:

1. Qualified as a Laboratory Director by one of the following criteria:

Is a licensed MD, DO, or DPM and possesses a current license to practice in this state AND

1. Board-certified in Anatomic or Clinical Pathology, OR
2. Has one year of lab training or experience in the specialty of non-waived testing in the areas of laboratory service of responsibility
3. Possess a doctoral or master's degree in laboratory science and have at least one year of lab training or experience in the specialty of non-waived testing in the areas of laboratory service of responsibility.
4. Possess a bachelor's degree in laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution and have at least four (4) years of laboratory training or experience in the specialty of non-waived testing in the area of laboratory service of responsibility. The training or experience requirements may be acquired concurrently for multiple specialties.
5. Additional requirements for Supervision of COLA LC-MS labs. One year of training or experience specifically in clinical mass spectrometry.

CORE COMPETENCIES OR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Knowledge

• Medicine and Dentistry: Injuries and illnesses and plans for treatment.
• Biology: Cells, plants, and animals and how they function.
• Customer and Personal Service: Providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• Chemistry: The properties of substances and the changes that occur when they interact.
• English Language: The meaning and use of the English language.
• Mechanical: The design, use, and repair of machines and tools.
• Mathematics: The rules and uses of numbers.
• Clerical: General office work such as filling and storing information.

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write with clarity so other people can understand.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Combine several pieces of information and draw accurate conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a particular order.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.

Use Math and Science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.

Manage Oneself, People, Time, and Things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with People

• Teach others how to do something.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Look for ways to help people.

Work with Things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to ensure a machine works properly.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and Visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in distracting material.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

WORK PERFORMED

• Must be very exact and accurate when running tests and equipment. Errors in testing can seriously endanger patients' health.
• Staff make decisions that affect patients daily. They rarely consult a supervisor before deciding on a course of action.
• Make decisions that strongly impact their employer's reputation.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first.
• Abide by strict deadlines. Test results must be completed on time.
• Must sometimes let the pace of work be dictated by the speed of the equipment.
• Often repeat the same physical and mental activities.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Have a medium level of social interaction. They spend time talking to doctors and other lab workers but spend time alone running tests.
• Staff communicate by telephone, in person, and e-mail daily. They also use letters and memos, but less often.
• Are, on occasion, placed in conflict situations. Medical personnel may disagree on the interpretation of test results.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Are responsible for the results of other workers.
• Regularly work as part of a team.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS

• Always work indoors
• Exposed to diseases, infections, and contaminants daily.
• Wear safety gear like latex gloves and surgical masks to protect themselves.
• Are exposed to contaminants and hazardous conditions weekly.
• On occasion, staff may be exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable. Medical equipment can be loud.
• Work near others. They often share the same workspace with other technicians, testing personnel, and laboratory staff.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods.
• Repeat the same movements.
• See details of objects less than and more than a few feet away.
• See the differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

HOURS/TRAVEL

• Travel as required.
• If an employee, most work is full-time, about 40 hours per week.
• May work nights, weekends, or holidays to meet testing needs.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Indigenuity Clinical Lab, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Indigenuity does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.

The statements provided in this position description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work the individual assigned to this position performs. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all essential functions, duties, knowledge, skills, abilities, and responsibilities of this position.

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