Laboratory Scientist-Woodward/HLA, (1473)

Schedule: Monday-Friday 1000-1830 with holiday, on-call and other shifts as needed

Location: Woodward/HLA

Salary/Hourly: Hourly Position

Are you a Med Tech seeking to create a positive and tangible change in patients’ lives? Are you motivated to pair your creative thinking with clinical work in order to explore ideas that could attract national attention? Apply now for this unique opportunity to join a team that’s directly involved in the full-cycle process of kidney and pancreas transplant.

The HLA and Renal Transplant Lab at Tricore Reference Laboratories is the only histocompatibility laboratory program in New Mexico, serving two transplant programs and the OPO (Organ Procurement Organization). Our HLA laboratory is structured in a way that enables technologists to cross train in all testing for solid organ transplant. TriCore supports the work up for kidney/pancreas transplants and performs post-transplant monitoring; also HLA disease association testing, and high resolution typing to support stem cell transplant for New Mexicans.

This position performs designated procedures as described in the HLA procedure manuals with quality and timeliness consistent with the expectations of clients, physicians, and direct supervisor. You will utilize your molecular skills in the context of HLA, and be challenged by high complexity testing and problem solving. You will collaborate with a team and the community to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

This position has required critical Renal Transplant on call responsibilities. Within the first year, after exhibiting adequate performance of specific HLA tests and tasks with approval from the leadership team, you will be added to the required Renal Transplant On-Call schedule and be eligible for the Renal Transplant Pay compensation.

Job Summary: Under general supervision, performs waived, moderate or high complexity laboratory tests for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of disease. Performs maintenance, basic troubleshooting and repairs of laboratory equipment. Runs and evaluates quality control testing to ensure equipment is functional prior to patient testing. May assist with the implementation and oversight of waived point of care testing. Staff in this job description meet the qualifications for designation as “Testing Personnel” for moderate and high complexity testing under CLIA regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Performs/results and documents clinical laboratory testing exercising independent judgment and responsibility.

2. Notes abnormal patient results and informs supervisor, pathologist, or principal investigator as appropriate.

3. Operates laboratory equipment, interfaces and instruments, performs and documents basic maintenance procedures.

4. Performs routine logging for QC/QA purposes. Collects and compiles QA data as directed. Monitors QC for trends and takes and documents corrective action as needed or directed.

5. Performs troubleshooting procedures. Identifies testing problems and recommends appropriate solutions using defined guidelines.

6. Actively participates in regulatory inspections.

7. Takes inventory as needed or appropriate. Orders supplies for the Section/Department as directed.

8. Assists with training of new staff and/or students.

9. Serves as a liaison with internal and external customers/employees/clients.

10. Depending on the site or department, may participate in the POCT oversight program including but not limited to;

a) training lab and non-lab personnel in the use of waived testing.

b) Troubleshoot the performance of waived testing, including IT connectivity issues.

c) Review the quality performance of waived testing.

d) Participate in the implementation, including validation, if necessary, of waived testing.

11. Depending on the site or department, may collect specimens such as blood, urine, sputum and other body fluids and prepare for analysis.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Minimum Qualifications:

Selected candidates for the TriCore Laboratory Scientist position will be placed into LS I, LS II, LS III, or LS IV based on education and experience as follows:

Laboratory Scientist I:

Must meet one of the following per CLIA regulations:
• Bachelor’s degree in biological, or chemical science from an accredited institution. Note- Candidate may qualify with a Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences through December 31, 2024, or
• Associate’s