Medical Lab Scientist, Senior

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About Duke University Health System Clinical Laboratories

Pursue your passion for caring and innovation as a team member in the state-of-the-art Duke Health laboratories. Duke Health laboratories are College of American Pathologists accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments certified. The multidisciplinary team is committed to serving the rare and complex testing needs of Duke Health's diverse patient population by providing timely and accurate results, educating the next generation of laboratorians, scientists and physicians, and researching and developing the cutting-edge diagnostics of tomorrow.

Medical Lab Scientist, Senior in the Department of Anatomic Pathology and Digital Analytics at Duke University Hospital. Monday - Friday, 10:00 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. 

This position is eligible for the third-shift differential. 

General Description

Perform a variety of routine and complex technical tasks in the performance of laboratory tests to obtain data for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Job duties are dependent on the laboratory and may be composed of a combination of the following duties and responsibilities related to the specialization.

Work Performed

• Coordinate, perform, and may supervise a variety of routine and complex testing.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.
• Plan and schedule work for the group ensuring proper distribution of tests in clinical laboratories using standard techniques and equipment; perform related duties in the laboratory: including specimen handling, using manual and automatic equipment to test specimens, and perform and report analytical tests.
• Operate complex or computerized instrumentation.
• Calibrate, maintain, align, and troubleshoot/repair instrumentation according to standard operating procedures, knowledge, and experience.
• Coordinate the processing of patient samples or perform processing as needed based on staffing levels using appropriate identification techniques and written procedures to ensure quality material for testing.
• Provide advanced problem-solving, troubleshooting, interpretation and consultation, verification of specimen quality and test results.
• Communicate problems/issues to responsible individuals.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and equipment.
• May coordinate and perform validation testing related to the development of new medical laboratory tests and techniques.
• Review and prepare documents and cases for lab inspections.
• Coordinate participation in lab inspections and work with inspectors.
• Bring any non-compliance issues to the attention of upper-level staff.
• Perform proficiency testing as directed to maintain compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Monitor quality control and quality assurance procedures to ensure compliance with internal and external regulations.
• Maintain quality control programs.
• Recognize, respond to, and report issues as needed.
• Assure remedial action is taken and documented whenever test systems deviate from established performance specifications.
• Ensure that patient results are not reported until corrective action has been taken and the test system is functioning properly.
• Review written procedures and policies for accuracy and submit changes to the manager or designee.
• Collaborate with the management team to initiate projects and develop action plans to improve unit performance through a Process Improvement (PI) project.
• Understand, comply, and perform all necessary safety procedures.
• Maintain compliance with safety training. Report all safety incidents within 24 hours.
• Attend all laboratory meetings, safety and compliance training as required.
• Comply with competency testing for the laboratory staff.
• Train new staff.
• Serve as a resource person/role model, as per guidelines determined by laboratory management.
• Comply with laboratory training programs.
• Provide technical guidance and instruction to students, interns, residents, staff, and other employees.
• May monitor workflow, assessment of staffing levels, and reassignment as needed.
• Follow up to ensure work is completed. Use behaviors that support the achievement of balanced scorecard targets and support DUHS (Duke University Health System) values.
• Consistently cooperate and communicate effectively with co-workers to ensure effective workflow.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to make independent decisions on matters of significance, free from immediate direction, within the scope of their responsibilities.

Level Characteristics

Promotion to this level is dependent upon the successful completion of leadership activities within the Clinical Ladder. Requires annual maintenance. Within the clinical laboratories we embrace Duke's purpose, placing the patient at the center of everything we do. We do this by demonstrating behaviors that focus on delivering patient- and family-centered care and embodying the values that promote a positive work culture. We expect every team member to commit to these values and hold each other accountable in the spirit of mutual respect and belonging.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelors of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Chemical, Physical, Biological or Clinical Laboratory Science; or Medical Technology. Generalist certification required for General labs. Generalist/Specialty certification required for specialty labs. Minimum educational or experience requirements may be modified on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment) director as long as minimal CLIA requirements are met by the employee for the tasks being performed.

Experience

Five years experience (including one year at Duke) with generalist/specialty certification.

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

Generalist/Specialty Certification by a nationally recognized board/agency (required). Certification will vary depending on laboratory. Master in Science in lieu of certification for Biochemical Genetics Laboratory.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.