Clinical Laboratory Scientist

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, Casa Grande, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary:

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for performing a variety and a full range of Medical Laboratory procedures, including phlebotomy, highly complex analyses, and infrequently required tests; evaluating abnormal or unusual patient results; operating and maintaining complex laboratory equipment; and setting up and monitoring daily, weekly, or monthly quality control.

Scope of Work:

The employee is responsible for planning, implementing, and developing the clinic's laboratory section, which includes phlebotomy, general/routine laboratory testing, solving highly complex diagnostic problems, and modifying or adapting new methods or techniques to improve or expand services specific to the following areas: hematology, coagulation, chemistry, urinalysis, microbiology, rapid test methods, and referral specimen processing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Depending on the area of assignment, an incumbent may not be required to perform some of the duties listed below):

• Performs a full variety of laboratory tests and examinations of samples.
• Duplicates tests for quality control and patient testing.
• Perform phlebotomy and order all tests requested by outpatient department RNs or providers.
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains accurate reports for quality control reports.
• Performs blood cell morphologies studies, body fluid analysis, and urinalysis.
• Selects the appropriate procedures for the service request and is congruent with patient considerations.
• Prepares reagents, calibrators, solutions, and primary reference materials as applicable.
• Processes specimens using equipment, instruments, or techniques necessary to prepare them for specific analysis; controls physical conditions; responds to time factors to ensure that the physiologic state of the specimen is maintained.
• Evaluates and monitors the performance of non-routine and specialized test procedures using manual and automated techniques in accordance with established protocols.
• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts, and maintains instruments.
• Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks; identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.
• Tests and develops quality control methods, calculating the mean, standard deviation, and coefficient variation and determining statistical significance.
• Examines instrument functions, rechecks of test performance conditions, evaluates reaction systems and/or procedural techniques utilized, and identifies function with a symptom.
• Contribute to a team effort and perform other job-related duties.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
• The skill to develop and perform difficult and complex tests, determinations, and examinations in which original controls, measurements, and procedures must be either adopted, established or employed.
• The knowledge of health care and diagnosis is necessary to coordinate with and discuss tests results with physicians or other professionals for who tests and functions are performed.
• The skills and knowledge to perform phlebotomy procedures on all age-specific groups, including neonates, children, adults, and geriatric patients.
• The skill and knowledge to operate within a quality control system and a proficiency-testing program.
• Skill in minor equipment and instrument maintenance, which includes daily, weekly, monthly care, calibration, and remedial or repair action that ensures operational reliability, reproducibility, precision, and accuracy at all times.
• Knowledge and skills in Microbiology, Hematology, Immunohematology, Chemistry, Immunochemistry, Blood Gas, Coagulation, and Urinalysis to identify acceptable specimens and determine suitability/integrity for analysis.
• Sufficient skill and initiative to maintain a h