Medical Laboratory Scientist II / Point of Care Coordinator, Full-time (64 hours bi-weekly)

 NMC is currently recruiting a Medical Laboratory Scientist II / Point of Care Coordinator in Northwestern Lab. The position is Full-time (64 hours bi-weekly), Hours are primarily days 7AM – 3:30PM. Northwestern Medical Center’s mission is to provide exceptional health care to our community. Join our high reliability team! With “people” as one of our core values, valuing our employees is a top priority for Northwestern. We care about our employees, their families, and their overall health & well-being. We are proud to offer a generous benefits package, with recognized national carriers, designed to help our people stay healthy, balance work & life responsibilities, protect your assets & plan for a secure financial future.

Hiring Range: $31.97/hour USD - $44.67/hour USD

Medical Laboratory Scientist II / Point of Care Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY:

The Medical Laboratory Scientist II Point of Care Coordinator functions as a generalist across all laboratory sections while providing advanced technical and administrative oversight of all point-of-care testing performed in-house and at NMC owned practices. Responsibilities include specimen processing, diagnostic testing, instrument maintenance, quality control, and staff training. Specialized duties involve test development and validation, policy/procedure maintenance, regulatory and accreditation compliance, training and competency assessment for nonlaboratory personnel performing CLIA waived and PPM testing. A solid comprehension of the principles of laboratory and point-of-care testing is essential.  Flexibility is required for varied shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call coverage.

Prerequisites

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, or a related biological/chemical science with completion of an accredited clinical laboratory practicum or internship consistent with CLIA’88 requirements for high complexity testing.

Non-traditional route to established skill level may be accepted after review of education and experience consistent with CLIA’88 requirements as a section supervisor overseeing high complexity testing within specialty.

Experience:
Two years working in a clinical laboratory as MLS or 4 years as MLT with at least two years of high complexity testing. One year of Laboratory experience at NMC preferred.  Proven technical skill and initiative.  Proven ability to function in a team-oriented environment.

Other Skills:

Valid drivers license: travel to remote sites and hospital clinics may be required. 
Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Certifications:
Nationally recognized MLS (preferred) or MLT certification required - ASCP BOC preferred.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports To:
Laboratory Supervisor

Supervises:
Provides technical guidance to Lab Assistants
Provides technical oversight to MLS, MLT, and Technical Assistants

Other Contacts:
Laboratory Management, Pathologists, Providers, Clinical Staff, Patients, and Technical and Field Service Representatives.

SCOPE:

Machinery or Equipment Used:
Equipment typically used in laboratory point-of-care testing environments including analyzers, computers, centrifuges, microscopes, pipettes, inoculating loops, specimen rotators and mixers, slides, candle jars, refrigerators/freezers/incubators, reagent & specimen storage systems, and tools & equipment used to service analyzers.

Physical Demands: 

Infrequent:

Overhead reaching up to 90 inches for retrieval of equipment and supplies. Step stool available.

Occasional:

·         Pushing/pulling/lifting up to 45 lbs.; pushing/pulling of wheeled cart or dolly. Lifting, crouching, squatting and overhead reaching when stocking or retrieving supplies. Sitting for computer work, meetings and breaks/lunch. Exposure to wet/slippery surfaces. Balance required when exposed to the wet/slippery surfaces. Exposure to cold temperature in the walk-in cooler (3 degrees Celsius) or walk-in freezer (-20 degrees Celsius).

Frequent:

·         Standing/walking when performing job tasks. Forward reaching for retrieval and placement of accessories, specimen and cleaning of equipment or touching of control panels. Must have good gross and fine motor dexterity and tactile sensation of the digits. Requires both red/green and blue/violet color discrimination.

Working Conditions:

o   Potential for exposure to infectious specimens, biohazardous materials, and blood-borne pathogens.

o   Handling of chemical reagents, with potential for unpleasant odors or fumes.

o   Potential for high-stress situations including emergency testing requests, frequent calls and inquiries, and heavy and/or surging workload.

Required Personal Protective Equipment:

Must utilize appropriate PPE in compliance with institutional safety standards. This includes a lab coat, gloves, eye protection, and face mask or respirator as required by the task, along with closed-toe, non-slip shoes. Additional PPE such as hair or shoe covers may be necessary in sterile or high-containment areas. Proper use and maintenance of PPE is mandatory at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1.       Laboratory Testing and Collaboration

• May be required to perform phlebotomy and specimen collection


• Process specimens according to written procedures.


• Conduct testing across all laboratory sections, including specialized and advanced procedures.


• Manage workload effectively across multiple shifts and prioritize tasks for efficiency.


• Monitor pending logs and resolve outstanding tests promptly.


• Assist other sections and support staff during workload fluctuations.

2.       Works collaboratively to ensure that the day-to-day operation of the assigned Section and the Laboratory produces high quality results in a manner that is consistent with best practices including accrediting and regulatory entities.

• Provides support and technical guidance to other Laboratory Staff as well as non-laboratorians who interact with the Laboratory

• Evaluates QC/QA/PM, implements appropriate corrective action, and documents action taken

• Recognizes and proactively corrects issues that have the potential to affect the performance of tests, including anything with the potential to create pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical error

• Periodically reviews other staff’s work to ensure activities are consistent with the Quality Management Plan. Gaps in testing/QM/QC/QA performance are collaboratively addressed with staff. Medical Technologist II works with supervisors and provides support if additional follow up is warranted

• Conducts/evaluates performance checks and calibrates instruments

• Prepares, controls, reagents, solutions, etc. according to protocols

• Performs and documents quality control (QC), quality assurance (QA), and preventative maintenance (PM)

• Troubleshoots instrument and assay problems, documenting action taken. Consults with technical help hotlines, Field Service Engineers, and other technical experts. Problems are resolved in a timely manner to avoid interruption or delays to laboratory clients

• Completes Lab and NMC Event Reports in a timely manner

• Proactively implements system changes to improve processes

• Coordinates proficiency testing. Reviews results of challenges and provides appropriate documentation of any corrective action taken. PT reports are completed within 30 days. Failures are addressed immediately with appropriate follow up.

3.       Effectively implements administrative and technical oversight of the Point of Care Testing Program:

• Performs site visits on a frequent and regularly scheduled basis for all locations performing POCT and PPM

• Audits quality control, training, and competency records on a regular basis

• Assists practices with the performance of QA/QC/QM

• Oversees Proficiency Testing for all POCT and PPM locations for each applicable assays, taking corrective action if necessary

• Implements a regular maintenance schedule for equipment

• Performs and evaluates instrument checks, linearity testing, and new lot validations

• Manages POCT inventory, seeking opportunities to decrease cost and standardize equipment and reagents


• Ensures continued regulatory and accreditation readiness

4.       Engages staff and provides a collaborative environment to improve quality and efficiency:

• Works with Point of Care Testing Committee to evaluate and make recommendations for additions, deletions, and modifications to test menu for NMC practices and nursing units

• Performs validations to ensure integrity of new and existing tests

• Assists with gathering and analyzing data for PI projects

• Seeks opportunities to utilizes industry “best practices” to:

• Facilitate better patient outcomes

• Improve customer satisfaction

• Improve turnaround-times

• Improve quality and consistency of Laboratory Services

• Eliminate unnecessary or redundant work, look for opportunities for automation

5.       Actively supports customers, clients, staff, and employees by listening to their needs and providing opportunities for education and support:

• Supports efforts to improve relations among shifts, job categories within the Lab, and between NMC departments

• Effectively manages issues affecting the integration of Lab with its customers

• Prioritizes troubleshooting of customer

• Assists clients with order entry functions

• Customizes client application and/or client reports to meet user needs

• Attends and constructively contributes to departmental meetings


• Assists with job shadows and laboratory tours


• Coordinates the day-to-day activities of the Laboratory when supervisors are not present.

6.       Uses a variety of communication skills to meet the needs of the laboratory department and the customers served by the laboratory

• Communicates effectively when covering for breaks and/or at shift change to ensure continuity of work


• Updates whiteboard(s) during and at the end of each shift


• Provides guidance and technical assistance to coworkers including support staff to promote a cooperative work environment


• Coordinates absences from the work area to minimize workflow disruptions


• Attends and constructively contributes to departmental meetings


• Supports efforts to improve relations among shifts, job categories within the Lab, and between NMC departments


• Procedure updates are communicated in a timely manner. Ensures that staff completes a review of changes within 30 days of posting. Assess compliance with changes and provides feedback and training to staff needing additional assistance with the changes. Unresolved compliance issues with changes are referred to supervisors.

7.       Participates in continuing education and departmental development functions to support professional growth and departmental initiatives.

• Participates in continuing education opportunities and acquires sufficient annual CME credits


• Demonstrates a willingness to learn and perform new procedures


• Willingly shares technical knowledge and experience with coworkers and customers


• Participates in committees and workgroups


• Demonstrates active and supportive efforts with Performance Improvement initiatives


• Supports and participates in departmental initiatives and goals.#IND123