Medical Laboratory Scientist 3
Location: Chicago, IL
Hospital: RUSH University Medical Center
Department: RML Chemistry
Work Type: Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)
Shift: Shift 1
Work Schedule: 8 Hr (7:00:00 AM - 3:30:00 PM)
Summery: RUSH University Medical Center (RUMC) is a leading academic health system. It has been consistently recognized for outstanding patient care, education, research, and community partnerships. Eleven specialty programs at RUSH are ranked among the top 50 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for 2023-2024, with eight in the top 25. RUMC's Core Laboratory plays a critical role in delivering quality patient care.
RUMC Core Laboratory is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Medical Technologist specializing in Hematology to join the team. The hematology lab operates a variety of advanced instruments - Sysmex XN series, Caresphere, SP-50, Di-60, iQ200, Arkray 4030, Advanced instrument Osmo1, Polymedco ESR, Shandon Cytospin, Phase Contrast, Polarized, and Light Microscopes, Sysmex CS-2500. The lab is currently moving to Beaker-Epic LIS from Soft LIS.
As a lead technologist, you will play a crucial role in the laboratory operations, specifically focusing on hematology testing and analysis. You will be responsible for conducting a wide range of laboratory tests, interpreting results, maintaining laboratory equipment, and ensuring quality control measures are adhered to. Additionally, you will provide leadership and guidance to junior staff members, contribute to the development of new protocols and procedures, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to deliver accurate and timely diagnostic information.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Laboratory Testing and Operation
Perform a variety of moderate and high-complexity laboratory tests in hematology, including complete blood counts with differential (CBC and CBCWD), coagulation studies, and other specialized hematological assays, utilizing required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined by the lab area.
Perform all laboratory procedures efficiently and effectively.
Ensure proper labeling and specimen processing. Reject inappropriate specimen. Notify appropriate providers when specimens must be redrawn or recollected, and document the notification.
Submit safety events.
Ensure all testing is performed following Rush approved Policies and Procedures.
Meet turnaround time expectations by prioritizing and organizing the workload for the shift. Monitor the pending list periodically to ensure the turnaround time of all samples are met.
Collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to coordinate patient care and provide consultation on laboratory results.
Be the key facilitator for instruments and workflow processes.
Perform the role of Quality or Safety Officer.
• Report Reviewing and Results Reporting
Analyze test results, interpret findings, and accurately report data to healthcare providers in a timely manner.
Review others' lab results as required and take appropriate action before verification and release. Recognize and call critical results within defined time frames.
Review paper-generated results during downtime and transcribe them accurately into the LIS.
• Quality Control and Preventative Maintenance
Maintain quality control and quality assurance standards, participating in proficiency testing and troubleshooting as needed.
Perform required quality control (QC) procedures and preventative maintenance, including corrective action and documentation, for all procedures and instrumentation. Recognize QC problems, shifts, trends, or discrepancies, determine root causes, and resolve them. Notify the appropriate supervisor or designee regarding QC problems or discrepancies according to the established procedure.
Operate and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, ensuring proper functioning and adherence to safety protocols. Perform basic and advanced troubleshooting of equipment and processes with minimal assistance, document action, and notify appropriate TAC.
Prepare and present quality improvement initiatives accomplished in the laboratory. • Tech-in-Charge Responsibilities
Perform the duties of the tech-in-charge for specified periods. Oversee operations according to departmental guidelines. Understand when to defer issues to appropriate personnel, for example, a supervisor or manager or director, and do so.
• CAP Inspection Adhere to regulatory requirements and compliance standards, including CLIA and CAP guidelines.
Assist in the preparation for CAP inspection.
• Time Management
Utilize time effectively and seek out additional job duties when shift tasks are complete.
Complete work without incurring overtime. Adhere to the defined allotted time for breaks and lunch.
Assist fellow workers to finish the shift tasks.
• Continuing Education and Self-development
Complete 12 hours of laboratory continuing education per year. Prepare and present a minimum of 15 minutes of continuing education within the department.
Stay updated on advancements in hematology technology, research, and best practices, incorporating new knowledge into laboratory procedures as appropriate.
• Staff Development
Provide training and guidance to residents, and junior staff members, and ensure competency in hematology testing techniques and procedures.
Help in maintaining the competency of the staff members.
• Continuous Improvement
Accept and/or volunteer for method evaluations and development, validation, and implementation of new laboratory protocols and procedures, or other special projects. Complete them within an agreed-upon time frame.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance laboratory efficiency, workflow, and patient care outcomes.
Present case studies or in-services.
• Work Area Organization
Maintain a clean, clutter-free, and well-organized area of responsibility.
Ensure the work area is disinfected at the beginning and end of the shift.
Ensure that the area is well stocked with the supplies required for uninterrupted lab operation.
• RUSH Values
Adhere to the Rush Code of Conduct and Rush ICARE values: Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in relevant science required, Master of Science degree in relevant discipline preferred.
Certification from nationally recognized certifying agency required. Some laboratory disciplines may require more stringent certification criteria.
Acceptable credentials (can vary depending on the laboratory section):
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) via the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• Medical Technologist (MT) via the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• Blood Bank (BB) via the ASCP
• Chemistry (C) via the ASCP
• Cytogenetics (CG) via the ASCP
• Cytotechnologist (CT) via the ASCP
• Hematology (H) via the ASCP
• Microbiology (M) via the ASCP
• Molecular Biology (MB) via the ASCP
• Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) via the ASCP
Experience: Minimum of five years of laboratory-related experience required.
Affective behavior: Interacts effectively and respectfully with everyone encountered at the medical center.
REPORTS TO:
Laboratory Supervisor or Designee
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Able to work in fast pace, often stressful, computerized environment. Able to lift 20 lbs and perform repetitive motions. Works in laboratory with exposure to potentially infectious and hazardous materials.
CLIA QUALIFICATION FOR TESTING:
Employees in this job classification are qualified to perform moderate and high complexity testing. Employees' education and/or laboratory experience meet the requirements delineated in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1996.
Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.