Medical Lab Scientist, Specialist - Offsite Labs
Durham, NC, US, 27710
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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, Specialist with Offsite Labs. Monday - Friday, working an 8-hour shift between 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
General Description
Administer and coordinate technical activities in all testing areas of Offsite Laboratories – to include Hematology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Microbiology, Immunology, Microscopy, etc.
Duties and Responsibilities
May perform any or all of the following duties:
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Supervise, administer, coordinate, and perform technical activities of personnel in Offsite Laboratories to ensure effective operations in accordance with established practices; perform specialized procedures requiring advanced skill and theoretical knowledge.
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Operate complex or computerized instrumentation; calibrate, maintain, align, and troubleshoot/repair instruments according to standard operating procedures and experience.
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Develop and implement quality control programs to ensure reliability of testing procedures, proper function of laboratory equipment, and compliance with federal regulations; prepare and maintain related records.
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Conduct proficiency evaluations of laboratory operations through preparation and distribution of unknown specimens or samples and evaluate the accuracy of results.
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Assist in developing and implementing testing methods, techniques, and procedures for laboratory application; set up and evaluate new equipment and make recommendations accordingly.
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Provide technical guidance and instruction to personnel in routine and advanced laboratory techniques.
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Oversee, coordinate, and conduct competency assessments of staff.
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Oversee training of new staff; ensure documentation is complete. Develop and implement laboratory training programs, including documentation.
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Administer and perform inter-laboratory quality control and CAP proficiency testing; review results for completeness and accuracy, submit appropriately, follow up on outliers, and assist in preparing investigation reports.
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Prepare reports and analyses detailing progress, adverse trends, and recommendations or conclusions.
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Ensure all written procedures and policies are current and reviewed by a supervisor or manager.
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Collaborate with management to initiate projects and develop action plans to improve unit performance through Process Improvement (PI) projects.
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Maintain turnaround time and other key indicators; provide reports to management and recommend plans for improvement.
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Act as a resource and interact courteously with doctors, nurses, PRMO employees, and other healthcare providers when answering questions or providing information (e.g., test requirements, order entry, patient results).
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Coordinate and/or perform routine laboratory testing (waived, moderately, and highly complex), including:
Instrument Platforms:
- Sysmex XNL450/550 Hematology Analyzer with Caresphere middleware
- iSTAT1 Handheld Analyzer
- Reichert Bilirubinometer Analyzer
- Clinitek Advantus Urinalysis Analyzer
- Piccolo Xpress
- OC-DIANA
Manual Testing Platforms:
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Mono
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Urine Qualitative HCG
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Wet Prep
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KOH Prep
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Urine Microscopy
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Manual WBC Differential
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Prepare for and participate in lab inspections; work with inspectors as needed.
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Perform biannual CAP self-inspections; identify deficiencies and assist in corrections.
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Utilize hospital information systems and software, including Softtech, SRS, Gajema, and Duke at Work; perform and submit validations.
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Oversee and participate in continuing education and safety training; maintain records.
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Provide coverage/support as needed to any Offsite Laboratory location.
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Demonstrate behaviors that support balanced scorecard targets and DUHS values; ensure cooperation and effective communication among staff regarding workflow.
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Perform related duties incidental to the work described herein.
You said:
Required Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology or a related field.
Experience:
- Five years of laboratory experience (including one year at Duke) required to gain specific knowledge of routine and specialized procedures and tests in the specified area of specialty (e.g., Serology, Special Hematology).
Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:
- Generalist or Specialty Certification by a nationally recognized board/agency (required). Certification will vary depending on the laboratory.
- Master of Science may be accepted in lieu of certification for the Biochemical Genetics Laboratory.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Working knowledge of routine and specialized procedures and tests in the specified area of specialty.
- Experience involving patient contact and customer service in a medical setting; strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Considerable knowledge of laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and terminology used in clinical laboratories.
- Proficiency with computers and computerized laboratory equipment.
- Thorough knowledge of laboratory safety and infection control procedures, including standard precautions and hazardous chemical handling, to anticipate and address potential safety concerns.
- Ability to demonstrate dexterity, knowledge, and attention to detail in completing assigned laboratory tasks while complying with regulatory and safety requirements.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues.
- Demonstrate behaviors that support achievement of balanced scorecard targets.
- Ability to work independently to resolve laboratory problems.
- Ability to plan and refine procedures for medical diagnostic testing in the assigned field.
- Ability to develop work assignments and make accurate observations.
- Ability to prepare written reports.
- Ability to train, orient, and evaluate the performance of personnel and students.
- Strong written communication skills.
- Advanced knowledge and understanding of assigned procedures.
- Ability to communicate professionally and courteously with patients, families, and medical personnel to obtain information, explain procedures, clarify orders, and communicate status.
- Ability to guide the professional growth of others through role modeling, coaching, and mentoring.
Distinguishing Characteristics
- Monitor testing to ensure acceptable levels of analytical performance are maintained.
- Verify personnel competence prior to test reporting.
- Ensure all aspects of proficiency testing are properly followed, reviewed, and that remedial actions are documented following failures.
- Establish and maintain effective Quality Assurance and Quality Control programs to identify and resolve problems.
- Ensure procedure manuals are available and reviewed annually by the director, manager, supervisor, or analytical specialist.
Responsibilities Delegated from the Director or Technical Supervisor
- Assure remedial action is taken and documented whenever test systems deviate from established performance specifications.
- Ensure patient testing results are not reported until corrective action has been taken and the test system is functioning properly.
- Participate in annual evaluation, competency testing, and documentation for all testing personnel.
- Receive, review, and prepare technical reports reflecting work volume, procedures utilized, and test results; coordinate preparation of reports and analyses outlining progress, adverse trends, and corrective actions.
- Assist in annual validation of the Electronic Test Catalogue.
Duke is an 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 (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military 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 essential job 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.
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