Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee/1, Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics

Location: Renton, WA

Job Description

Who we’re looking for

The UW Medicine - Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (DLMP) in Seattle, WA has a fantastic opportunity for a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Trainee/1 with the Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics (DIDD) at the Renton Central Laboratory.

Join UW Medicine’s DIDD team and play a vital role in identifying the pathogens responsible for complex infections and helping clinicians make timely, informed treatment decisions. This position offers the opportunity to apply advanced medical laboratory science skills across a broad range of diagnostic methods, including microbiology, virology, molecular diagnostics, microscopy, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Working in a dynamic, clinically focused environment, you will contribute directly to patient care while helping advance diagnostic quality, troubleshoot complex testing challenges, and support the development and implementation of new laboratory methods.

Work schedule

100% FTE

Sunday - Thursday with rotating holidays

Night shift

What you’ll contribute

Perform clinical infectious disease diagnostic laboratory testing in accordance with established procedures, regulatory requirements, and laboratory quality standards.

Prepare, evaluate, and report direct smears and stains, including but not limited to Gram stains, KOH preparations, Pneumocystis DFA stains, acridine orange stains, Kinyoun stains, and Wright/Giemsa stains.

Perform routine laboratory testing for the identification of bacteria, yeast, and parasites in accordance with established laboratory protocols.

Perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing, including disk diffusion, Etest, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and other approved methods, as applicable.

Perform serological and molecular testing procedures, including latex agglutination, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.

Operate a variety of laboratory equipment and instrumentation, including automated blood culture systems, mass spectrometry instruments, automated susceptibility testing systems, BioFire systems, Cepheid GeneXpert systems, microscopes, biological safety cabinets, and Anoxomat systems.

Record, evaluate, and interpret laboratory test results. Recognize and appropriately respond to unusual, discrepant, or critical findings and communicate such findings to the appropriate laboratory or clinical personnel.

Assist with the development, implementation, and evaluation of laboratory procedures and processes. Participate in troubleshooting testing procedures, instrumentation, and workflow issues, including problems that may or may not require direct wet-laboratory involvement. Apply knowledge gained through medical laboratory science education and experience performing moderate- to high-complexity testing to identify and resolve laboratory issues.

Calibrate, operate, troubleshoot, perform or assist with preventive maintenance of laboratory instruments and related equipment in accordance with established procedures and manufacturer recommendations.

Perform and document quality control activities required to validate patient test results. Monitor QC performance, recognize trends and shifts, investigate QC failures, and participate in corrective actions. Maintain compliance with the laboratory's ongoing quality assurance program and utilize electronic quality control systems.

Demonstrate proficiency with computer systems and applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and other software required for laboratory operations, data analysis, documentation, and reporting.

Demonstrate proficiency with the laboratory information system (LIS), discipline-specific middleware, and institution-based computer systems used for test result entry, review, data acquisition, quality control, and laboratory workflow management.

Participate in the orientation, instruction, and training of new employees, post-doctoral fellows, residents, students, and other laboratory personnel as assigned.

Serve as a technical resource to other laboratory personnel, including Clinical Laboratory Technicians and Specimen Processing Technicians, within the scope of training, competency, and established laboratory procedures.

Assist with the design, development, validation, implementation, and evaluation of new laboratory procedures, assays, processes, and workflow improvements supporting infectious disease diagnostics.

Prepare, evaluate, and verify the quality and performance of reagents, standards, calibrators, and control materials in accordance with established laboratory procedures.

Maintain professional competency and continuing education requirements in accordance with ASCP or other applicable national certification organization guidelines and institutional requirements.

Participate in laboratory quality improvement, regulatory compliance, safety, and accreditation activities as assigned.

Perform other related duties as required to support the operations and mission of the DIDD.

What you’ll need

Requirements for an MLS Trainee

Accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science OR equivalent education/experience AND

Eligible to take the Medical Laboratory Scientist or categorical certification examination from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) within 18 months from date of hire. Failure to attain the certification within 18 months of date of hire may result in a recommendation for termination.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Requirements for an MLS 1

Accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science OR equivalent education/experience AND

Current Medical Laboratory Scientist certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent certifying organization OR certification with specialty orga