Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee/1, UWMC – Montlake Transfusion Services

Location: Seattle, 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 Transfusion Services Team at the University of Washington Medical Center – Montlake.

The MLS Trainee/1 performs clinical laboratory tests used in the screening, diagnosing, and treating of pathological conditions. Testing is performed at a professional level and may include all facets of pretransfusion testing using both automated and manual methods, routine and complex antibody identification, component preparation, unit confirmation testing, shipping and receiving units and tissue, and sample processing, information processing, and quality control. This role may include delivery and facilitation of blood products to the bedside. The MLS Trainee/1 trains students and new employees in the performance of such testing. The role may also be participating in special projects as needed.

Work schedule

100% FTE

Monday to Friday, rotating weekends and holidays

Evening Shift 1500-2330

What you’ll contribute

Technical Quality of Work

Perform analysis of blood and blood products with accuracy and precision in the transfusion service laboratories.

Follow current established procedures and guidelines for performing and documenting tests.

Complete routine tasks without direct supervision.

Work with attention to detail and with critical review to avoid errors.

Use job knowledge to make critical judgments regarding the acceptability of test results and donor compatibility for transfusion.

Investigate and solve problems involving specimen collection or handling; follow procedures for reporting and documenting to assure quality and timeliness of patient results.

Take appropriate action on critical, abnormal or unusual results.

Follow hospital procedures for communication of critical results to the appropriate health care provider.

Quantity of Work

Complete patient and quality control procedures within defined time limits.

Simultaneously coordinate multiple procedures with accuracy.

Prioritize workload in response to STAT requests.

Meet test completion deadlines through efficient workload organization.

Teamwork/Enable Laboratory Operations

Use work time appropriately.

Work as a team member - show initiative and cooperation to maintain workflow.

Communicate between team members to facilitate optimal patient care.

Maintain awareness of needs within the lab, such as heavy workload on benches or special projects to be completed and assist in the completion of those tasks.

Display flexibility in adapting to new routines and modifications of work assignments and schedule.

Share responsibility for emergency coverage, overtime, on-call and call-back needs of the laboratory.

Maintain a neat, clean and efficient work area including cleaning benches and equipment and replenishing supplies.

Maintain awareness of supply stock and inform lead technologist before supplies are depleted.

Quality Assurance Activities

Perform and document daily quality control.

Analyze QC data and make judgments concerning results.

Institute and document corrective action when QC results exceed tolerance limits.

Verify acceptability of QC prior to reporting any patient values.

Follow maintenance protocols for all instruments and document appropriately.

Monitor QA indicators on instruments and institute corrective action as needed.

Document other laboratory or specimen issues and problems appropriately.

Instrumentation/Computer Skills

Understand principles of operation for a variety of laboratory equipment, including equipment requiring interpretative knowledge such as multi-parameter cell counters and automated coagulation analyzers.

Maintain basic troubleshooting skills on all instruments.  Appropriately document problems and notify lead technologist and/or request assistance for instrument issues.

Exhibit working knowledge of laboratory information system software.

Teaching Skills

Effectively teach and train medical technology students, new employees or others in theory and performance of laboratory testing.

Complete necessary paperwork and training documents during daily interactions with trainees. Review training documents to ensure trainee makes satisfactory progress towards completion of training requirements.

Provide adequate supervision of trainees when assigned.

Verify performance of trainee prior to allowing trainee to report results.

Provide feedback on trainee's performance as required.

Communication/Customer Service

Represent the department professionally when interacting with other members of the healthcare team, including other divisions of the laboratory.

Demonstrate good communication and conflict resolution skills.

Communicate clearly, directly and on a timely basis appropriate information to customers and co-workers, both orally and in writing.

Maintain neat, legible and organized written work documents with appropriate dates and initials.

undefinedJob Knowledge/Professional Growth Maintain competency and keep job knowledge current.Attend in-services and continuing education opportunities as available. Maintain Safe Working HabitsExercise knowledge of laboratory safety and proper precautions when dealing with biohazardous, radioactive, corrosive, explosive and/or flammable materials.Practice "Universal Precautions" at all times.Report hazards and unsafe practices to supervisor.Keep abreast of safety procedures including fire plan, disaster drills, evacuation routes, etc.Know location of safety information and supplies and be able to access in response to queries or emergency situations.Participate in laboratory disaster preparedness drills. Perform Related Duties as Assigned Perform accurate analysis on CAP and other proficiency testing materials.Make and verify quality of reagents.Assist in development and/or evaluation of new procedur