NI-Scientist, Medical Laboratory

Pay Range: $31.09 - $46.63 / hour 

Additional components of compensation may include:

• • Evening, night, and weekend shift differential
  • Overtime
  • On-call pay

Benefits information: https://careers.uwhealth.org/benefits/

At UW Health in northern Illinois, you will have:

•    Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package including: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, retirement, short and long-term disability, paternity leave, adoption assistance, tuition assistance

•    Annual wellness reimbursement

•    Opportunity for on-site day care through UW Health Kids

•    Tuition reimbursement for career advancement--ask about our fully funded programs!

•    Abundant career growth opportunities to nurture professional development

•    Strong shared governance structure

•    Commitment to employee voice

POSITION SUMMARY:

UW Health Clinical Laboratory is a comprehensive provider of laboratory testing, expert medical interpretation of specimens and innovation in laboratory technology. The laboratory plays an essential role in the quality and safety of patient care by providing accurate diagnostic and treatment information to caregivers and patients.

The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) performs a wide range of diagnostic testing. The Medical Laboratory Scientist brings forth the specialized scientific and technical knowledge essential to perform most analytical testing in the Clinical Laboratory. They are responsible for the interpretation and reporting of lab tests. Their teaching and training abilities are of broad lab scope. Individuals are expected to perform some advanced troubleshooting, maintenance, and problem resolution; and instruct other employees. Able to assess specimen quality and test validity. A high level of technical skill is needed for testing methods/systems in which quality control materials and/or external proficiency testing materials are labile or not available. Troubleshooting is not automatic and requires decision-making and direct intervention to resolve most problems. Maintenance requires special knowledge, skills, and abilities. Resolution of problems requires extensive independent interpretation and judgment. Unusual issues or difficult problems are referred to a lead technologist or manager. The scope of testing is limited by specialty education and licensing requirements (i.e., cytotechnologist).

Organizational skill and ability to prioritize test requests are critical to successful performance. Multiple test requests, with different or the same priority, must be effectively organized by the individual in order to maximize diagnostic impact. A high degree of accuracy and reliability is required to ensure results that can assist in the timely diagnosis and treatment of patients. Ability to understand lab testing across departments to aid in diagnosis and treatment. Duties require interaction with clinical staff and physicians, i.e., explanation of test results or answering a variety of questions.

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

Minimum:

Bachelor's Degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or Medical Technology

OR

Associate's Degree from a college/university and successful completion of a NAACLS accredited MLT program.

Preferred:

Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)

Master’s Degree in Medical Laboratory Science

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

Minimum:

Certification (Medical Lab Science, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Blood Banking, Molecular Biology) by the board of American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP)or equivalent. Certification must be maintained by submitting appropriate continuing education documentation to certifying agency.

Preferred:

N/A

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum:

N/A

Preferred:

One year healthcare or lab related work experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrates the following skills: flexible, organized, and able to prioritize work, strong written and verbal communication, strong attention to detail, strong analytical skills, strong troubleshooting and problem solving, strong computer and information systems.
• Knowledge of quality control, quality assurance principles and proficiency testing procedures.
• Ability to demonstrate strong independent judgment.
• Demonstrate the ability to work under stress in a variety of situations.
• Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC), College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulatio