Medical Laboratory Scientist

Location:

Chicago, Illinois
Business Unit:
Rush Medical Center
Hospital:
Rush University Medical Center
Department: RAB Lab
Work Type:
Full Time (Total FTE between 0.9 and 1.0)

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule:

8 Hr (9:00AM - 5:30PM)
Pay Range: $32.00 - $46.44 per hour

Summary
This position is responsible for performing all assigned laboratory testing and reporting for the testing area. It requires teamwork to achieve common goals and meet deadlines to provide quality care to clients and patients. The role demonstrates proficiency in identifying and resolving process issues that affect laboratory testing, exemplifies Rush mission, vision, and values, and adheres to Rush policies, code of conduct, and ICARE values:
Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.

Other Information
Certification from a nationally recognized certifying agency is required. Some laboratory disciplines may require more stringent certification criteria.

Acceptable Credentials (can vary depending on the laboratory section)

• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) via the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• Medical Technologist (MT) via the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
• Blood Bank (BB) via the ASCP
• Chemistry (C) via the ASCP
• Cytogenetics (CG) via the ASCP
• Cytotechnologist (CT) via the ASCP
• Hematology (H) via the ASCP
• Microbiology (M) via the ASCP
• Molecular Biology (MB) via the ASCP
• Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) via the ASCP
• Technologist in HLA (CHT) or Specialist in HLA (CHS) via ACHI
• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) via AACC or ASCP with a minimum of 7 contiguous years of laboratory‑related experience

Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree with certification, and a minimum of 24 contiguous months of high‑complexity clinical laboratory experience required.
• Associate’s degree and/or education/work experience meeting the qualifications of high‐complexity testing personnel as defined by CLIA 42 CFR 493 1489; and with MLT or other certification; and 7 contiguous years of high‑complexity clinical laboratory experience required.

Clia Qualification for Testing
Employees in this classification are qualified to perform moderate and high complexity testing. Employees’ education and/or laboratory experience meet the requirements delineated in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1996.

Physical Demands
Able to work in a fast‑paced, often stressful, computerized environment. Able to lift 20 lbs and perform repetitive motions. Works in a laboratory with exposure to potentially infectious and hazardous materials.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates proficiency in all duties as defined in the role of Medical Technologist I.
• Identifies and resolves process issues that affect laboratory testing.
• Acts as a resource for identifying and solving quality control issues and escalates these when appropriate.
• Demonstrates troubleshooting proficiency and rarely needs to seek additional help.
• Prepares and presents a minimum of 15 minutes of continuing education within the department.
• Identifies and participates in process improvement projects.
• Ensures sufficient reagents and supplies necessary for test performance are available; notifies supervisory staff when minimum inventory levels are reached.
• Serves as an educator and trainer for students and new employees.
• Adjusts workflow to incorporate STAT tests or fluctuating work volume.
• Owns a test or process to ensure performance meets minimum quality requirements.

Additional Components of the Role:

• Performs laboratory testing and utilizes required personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Performs quality control and preventative maintenance, identifies discrepancies, and documents corrective action.

• Maintains a neat, clean, and well‑stocked work area; disinfects at shift start and end.

• Accepts only appropriate specimens; notifies when a specimen must be recollected.

• Meets turnaround time expectations by prioritizing workload and monitoring pending lists.

• Utilizes time effectively, completes tasks within allotted time, and assists colleagues with shift duties.

• Obtains and documents 12 hours of laboratory continuing education per year.

• Volunteers for method evaluations and new procedure development;…