Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Overview

Summary

Responsible for performing laboratory testing, quality control procedures and maintenance of equipment and work area; serves as section lead; serves as lead on process improvement initiatives; responsible for employee training and task assignment; assists with work scheduling and personnel management

Starting compensation range for this position:  

Our Benefits

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance options for full-time employees
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plan
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement up to the IRS-allowed maximum
• Personalized learning and educational development opportunities
• Monthly cell phone and internet stipends
• Paid Parental Leave
• Annual Employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Accounts to support wellness needs
• Support and counseling for personal, work financial or family needs through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and our partnership with Critical Incident Stress Consultants (CISC)

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

The following essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Advance Gift of Hope's mission, vision and core values: providing compassionate service, contributing to outstanding teams and engaging as one of our passionate people committed to a positive culture that respects the dignity and worth of each individual. Adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.
• Perform high-complexity laboratory testing using established methodologies, including molecular HLA typing, flow-cytometry, genetic analysis, HLA antibody screening (if applicable), ABO typing, and infectious disease testing
• Serve as section lead, providing oversight and guidance for designated laboratory areas
• Serve as the final reviewer to sign off clinical cases in all aspects of testing including technical, quality, billing, etc., as designated by laboratory management
• Document test results and all pertinent information; interpret different and complex reaction patterns; identify probable causes for any irregular or atypical test results
• Responsible for compiling and preparing section quality assurance reports
• Serve as lead on process improvement initiatives
• Accurately communicate results to internal and external customers including clinicians, transplant coordinators, and other OPO personnel
• Accurately enter, retrieve, and transmit test data into laboratory information systems
• Assist laboratory staff in testing procedures, quality controls and standard operating protocols.
• Provide instruction and guidance to new employees in testing procedures, quality controls and standard operating protocols 
• Perform laboratory employee competency assessment, as required
• Provide laboratory employee support, direction and management, as requested by laboratory management
• Assist with personnel management as designated, including but not limited to, one-on-one meetings, performance evaluation, coaching, and disciplinary actions
• Assist with development, validation and implementation of new and/or revised procedures and protocols
• Preserve donor cells and serum samples for potential future testing, if needed    
• Process blood samples received from patients waiting for a transplant
• Prepare reagents required to perform analysis and ensure reagents are available and usable
• Set up and monitor equipment required to perform tests
• Maintain established preventive maintenance schedules for assigned equipment
• Perform minor equipment repairs such as adjustments and calibration of equipment
• Maintain quality control records and logs; prepare, record and store data for future reference
• Monitor supply levels to ensure adequate levels are maintained
• Ensure cleanliness and organization of work area in accordance with safety standards
• Serve as on-call off-hours technical consultant for laboratory employees
• Work with laboratory leadership to develop, plan, implement, monitor and assess the laboratory quality assurance and performance improvement programs
• Identify non-conformances and deficiencies and manage the corrective action process
• Promote the culture of quality assurance and performance improvement throughout the laboratory
• Work with laboratory leadership to ensure compliance with all pertinent regulatory agencies, such as CMS/CLIA, FDA, UNOS, ASHI, and CAP
• Responsible for determining, tracking, trending and reporting of relevant quality metrics, including, but not limited to, turnaround times, error rates, customer satisfaction score, etc.
• Assist laboratory leadership with preparation for all internal and external audits and inspections; assist with follow-up as needed, including responses and corrective actions
• Complete continuing education
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Training Required

The following identifies the minimum education and training required to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Bachelor's degree in one of the biological, chemical or medical sciences
• Certification as a Certified Histocompatibility Technologist (CHT) or Certified Histocompatibility Specialist (CHS) issued by the American College of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ACHI), or the ability to obtain certification within 18 months of hire or promotion

Experience and Skills Required

The following indicates the minimum skills and experience required to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in high complexity testing in histocompatibility, immunology, infectious disease or virology
• Technical competency in a minimum of three clinical testing areas specific to the Gift of Hope Laboratory including infectious disease, HLA typing, crossmatching, and HLA antibody testing
• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Basic skills in Excel and Word
• Proficient with laboratory software systems
• Familiarity with procedures for quality control of reagents and maintenance of equipment
• Demonstrated capacity to learn and apply new laboratory testing methods, processes, and equipment
• Capable of managing and performing multiple tests simultaneously in a timely and organized manner
• Ability to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and laboratory objectives
• Attention to detail to conduct and interpret laboratory tests
• Analytical ability to evaluate test results and identify atypical results

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Ability to lift and move 30 lbs.
• Ability to position self to file documents at varying height levels
• Ability to communicate information effectively, clearly, and accurately
• Ability to perform tasks requiring precision, such as conducting tests and repair equipment
• Visual acuity to read and record test results and conduct equipment maintenance

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that will be encountered by an employee while performing the essential functions of the job.

• Clinical laboratory
• Required to use personal protective equipment (PPE), as needed to perform essential job functions
• Work outside normal business hours, including weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Carry a personal cell phone to be accessible outside regular business hours

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and does not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, military or veteran status, family medical history or genetic information or any other classification protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on an individual’s job-related qualifications and abilities.