Medical Laboratory Scientist (Blood Bank) - NIH

Global Solutions Network (GSN), a federal government contracting firm, presents this full-time, long-term position supporting GSN's customer at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This position provides a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

If interested, please provide an up-to-date resume.

Scope.

The contractor will independently provide clinical support services to The National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center (CC), Department of Transfusion Medicine (DTM), Transfusion Services Laboratory (TSL). The TSL performs specialized and technically demanding serologic and molecular Immunohematologic procedures for clinical diagnostic transfusion support and research purposes. The DTM includes an FDA-licensed collection facility where the TSL manufactures the majority of blood components transfused in the CC. Additionally, the contractor provides transfusion medicine training for the various training programs sponsored by the CC, i.e. accredited Transfusion Medicine Fellowship and Specialists in Blood Banking programs.

Responsibilities.

Assists with performing basic laboratory experiments and procedures

• Performs laboratory testing (pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases) using automated and manual methods in accordance with regulatory and accrediting agency requirements: ABORh, direct antiglobulin testing, antibody screening and identification, RBC phenotyping, elutions, crossmatches, isohemagglutinin titers.
• Independently resolve routine RBC blood group antibody problems and perform moderately complex testing in consultation with technical specialist
• Perform component manufacturing duties, i.e. prepare blood components such as frozen plasma, leukocyte-reduced RBC, and buffycoat from whole blood collections and pathogen reduced platelets.
• Perform lot release and labeling for blood components
• Evaluate testing and component orders for appropriateness based on screening criteria and communicate with clinical care team
• Maintain documentation in accordance with standard operating procedures and policy.

Prepares, organizes and maintains various lab samples, supplies, and equipment

• Operate laboratory equipment to include performance of quality control checks, preventative maintenance and calibration.
• Manages blood component inventory, arranging for import/export of necessary blood components.
• Monitor and maintain appropriate supply inventory levels.
• Distribute samples to proper laboratory analytical section or affiliate laboratories as instructed by procedures and protocols.
• Identify problems with instrumentation, methodology, specimens, supplies or results and take action as outline in procedures and protocols.

Performs routine tests and laboratory procedures in a medical laboratory which are used to diagnose and treat diseases.

• Prepare chemical reagents properly and that expired reagents or defective products are replaced to ensure validity of patient results.
• Operate laboratory equipment including centrifuges, dry bath incubators, and blood bank refrigerators.
• Perform blood typing, antibody screening, compatibility testing, and antibody identification procedures.
• Independently resolve routine RBC blood group antibody problems and perform moderately complex testing in consultation with technical specialist.
• Perform lot release and labeling for blood components
• Evaluate testing and component orders for appropriateness based on screening criteria and communicate with clinical care team

Reports laboratory results to medical personnel or principal investigator.

• Identify and report critical, abnormal and unacceptable test results and follows up according to established protocols.
• Documents test and analysis findings and provide summaries to clinical and medical staff.
• Enters result data into standard spreadsheets and databases based on requirements.
• Identify problems with instrumentation, methodology, specimens, supplies, or results and take action as outlined in predetermined protocols.
• Documents quality assurance steps associated with testing procedures and reports findings.
• Distribute samples to proper laboratory analytical section or affiliate laboratories as instructed by Laboratory Manager and protocols.
• Communicate with the laboratory manager and clinical staff regarding supplies needed to maintain uninterrupted operations on the clinical unit.
• Provide technical information and support to internal and external customers; respond to questions regarding analyte stability, reference material, and statistical information; serve as resource for problem resolution, meeting client/customer needs.

Operates and maintains laboratory equipment, tools and supplies.

• Perform quality control checks, preventive maintenance, and calibration.
• Perform minor repairs as necessary.
• Monitor and maintain an appropriate supply inventory.
• Complete supply requisition requests and coordinate ordering and delivery with procurement staff.
• Use specialized clinical laboratory instruments and equipment (e.g., Luminex) to provide testing results to researchers.
• Assist with the maintenance and updating of freezer inventories.
• Manages blood inventory, arranging for import/export of necessary blood components

Assist laboratory managers comply with all institute, department and federal guidelines and regulations.

• Maintain documentation in accordance with NIH and HHS standard operating procedures and policy.
• Comply with laboratory SOPs, regulatory and safety guidelines and environmental policies and procedures; adhere to SOP and CAP regulations for data input in laboratory information systems, storage and retrieval for information.
• Comply with all State, Federal, CLIA, safety, OSHA, US DOT and other government and applicable agency regulation.

Provides technical experience needed to assist in studying the basic principles of plant and animal life

• Identify and report critical, abnormal and unacceptable test results and follows up according to established protocols.
• Document test and analysis findings and provide summaries to clinical and medical staff.

Learns new laboratory techniques and procedures

• Use specialized clinical laboratory instruments and equipment to provide testing results.
• Comply with laboratory standard operating procedures, regulatory and safety guidelines and environmental policies and procedures.
• Research clinical and research regulatory requirements and recommend updates to processes and procedures.
• Conducts technical training of clinical fellows, visiting scientists, medical laboratory science students and specialists.

Qualifications.

• Minimum of 3 years in blood bank experience in a clinical laboratory environment is preferred
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification is highly desirable
• Bachelors degree is acceptable
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills
• Medical laboratory experience
• Position is Tier I -Emergency Essential/Excepted and requires holiday, weekend and overtime hours

Benefits.

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• 401K/Profit Sharing Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare & Dependent Care)
• Pretax Parking & Transportation Plan
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Professional Development/Education
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Employee Discount Program
• Merit Bonuses
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Assistance Program

Global Solutions Network, Inc. (GSN) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the GSN to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected US veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.