Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

Overview

Texas Oncology is looking for a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) to join our team!This position will support the Austin Midtown location (901 W 38th St #200 Austin, Texas 78705). This is a full-time Monday - Friday 8:30am-5pm position with no weekends, call, or major holidays.

This position can be hired as a level 1, 2 or Sr based on relative candidate experience.

Texas Oncology is the largest community oncology provider in the country and has approximately 600+ providers in 220+ sites across Texas and southeastern Oklahoma. Our founders pioneered community-based cancer care because they believed in making the best available cancer care accessible to all communities, allowing people to fight cancer at home with the critical support of family and friends nearby. Our mission is still the same today—at Texas Oncology, we use leading-edge technology and research to deliver high-quality, high-touch, evidence-based cancer care to help our patients achieve “More breakthroughs. More victories.” ® in their fight against cancer. Today, Texas Oncology treats half of all Texans diagnosed with cancer on an annual basis.

Why work for us?

Come join our team that is responsible for helping lead Texas Oncology in treating more patient diagnosed with cancer than any other provider in Texas. We offer our employees a competitive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-term and Long-term disability coverage, a generous PTO program, a 401k plan that comes with a company match, a Wellness program that rewards you practicing a healthy lifestyle, and lots of other great perks such as Tuition Reimbursement, an Employee Assistance program and discounts on some of your favorite retailers.

What does Medical Laboratory Scientist position do? (including but not limited to)

Moderate and High Complexity Laboratory Testing. Responsible for accurately performing specimen analysis, instrument maintenance, and quality control procedures including moderate and high complexity laboratory tests. Initiates and follows quality assurance and safety policies and procedures. Performs specimen collection and assists with patient flow as needed. Trains employees in laboratory procedures. May act as primary operator for at least one laboratory instrument. Acts as a resource for laboratory science information. May oversee daily laboratory activities in absence of supervisor. Performs clinical tests used in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases. Demonstrates the clinical thinking and technical skills needed to assess the appropriateness of results and the need for retesting or equipment recalibration. Performs and monitors specialized diagnostic laboratory tests. Works within clearly defined standard operating procedures and/or scientific methods and adheres to quality guidelines.

Responsibilities

The essential duties and responsibilities (including but not limited to):

• Assists with performing phlebotomy and collecting appropriate specimens from patients as ordered. Assures pre-authorization and completes appropriate consent forms (ABN) prior to collection of limited coverage tests.
• Assists with special procedures as needed (i.e. bone marrows in the room).
• Follows the laboratory’s procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting, and maintaining records of patient results.
• Performs specimen analysis of all Chemistry, Hematology and Immunology specimens.
• Maintains and operates all laboratory equipment. Performs daily, weekly and monthly instrument maintenance as indicated.
• Adheres to the laboratory’s quality control policies and documents all QC activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and instrument maintenance. Records proper lot numbers of all controls, calibrators, and reagents.
• Participates in proficiency testing by performing sample analysis and reporting results at least once a year.
• Prepares peripheral blood smear and competently performs complete WBC differential on normal and abnormal smears.
• Performs microscopic examination of urinary sediment.
• Records results on appropriate worksheet and computer system and performs file maintenance. Processes specimens for send-out testing.
• Follows the laboratory’s policies whenever test systems are not within the laboratory’s established acceptable levels of performance. Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either corrects the problem or notifies supervisor. Documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications.
• Maintains proper documentation as described by the quality assurance program including accessioning logs, test report logs, quality control logs, equipment records and checklists. Verifies all critical results and documents with accurate follow-up.
• Maintains adequate inventory of supplies and ensures that all supplies are viable before using in patient testing. Prepares reagents, stains and other chemical solutions as needed. Restocks the laboratory area as needed.
• Sends specimens to reference laboratories for any testing not performed in house.
• Processes incoming orders for lab testing including reference laboratory specimens.
• Processes in-house and in-coming results for charting.
• Charts patient results in a timely manner as needed.
• Properly identify and band patients for blood product transfusion. Processes properly labeled specimens according to local bloodbank policy.
• Trains employees in laboratory procedures.
• May act as primary operator for at least one laboratory instrument.
• Participates in development of new instruments and procedures as needed.
• Acts as a resource for laboratory science information.
• May oversee daily laboratory activities of in the absence of supervisor.
• Complies with quality assurance standards.
• Adheres to all OSHA compliance laws and Universal Precaution procedures. Complies with applicable regulatory agency standards.
• Properly disposes of hazardous materials.
• Maintains a clean working environment.
• Maintains confidentially of all information related to patients and medical staff.
• Performs CLIA classified Moderate and High complexity testing with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

The candidate for this Medical Laboratory Scientist must meet the following qualifications:

Level 1

• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or related health care field OR Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university with a major in biological science or chemistry with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry, which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the baccalaureate degree. Except for grandfathered situations, bachelor's degree in Medical Technology required.
• Current state license if required.
• AMT, ASCP or equivalent certification preferred.
• Position is entry level and requires no experience, however lab experience is preferred.
• 4-year degree candidates are required to take Hematology and/or Chemistry exam after 1 year of completion of training.
• Licensure and certification requirements depend on the state.
• Experience with Flow cytometry preferred.

Level 2 (in addition to Level 1 qualifications)

• Position requires a minimum of three years of experience.

Level Sr (in addition to level 1 and 2 qualifications)

• Position requires five years of experience.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be offered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands of this job typically require full range of body motion including manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination in operation and manipulation of complex laboratory equipment. Requires sitting/standing for extensive periods of time with the use hands to finger, handle, or feel and arms to reach or carry. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 40 lbs. Requires corrected vision, color perception and hearing to normal range. Requires legible handwriting.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be offered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in an office environment and requires significant interaction with management, staff and external auditors and clients. Work will require frequent travel by air or automobile, approximately 70% of workweek, on average.