Medical Laboratory Scientist

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Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world’s most distinguished academic health systems.  In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to?

  • Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
  • 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Responsibilities*

To perform a variety of routine or specialized tests and procedures for use by physicians in diagnosis and treatment of patients in one or more areas of work, such as Clinical Core Laboratory, Transfusion Medicine, Histocompatibility, Flow Cytometry, Molecular Diagnostics, Cytogenetics, Point of Care, Microbiology, and other specialty departments.

Provide Clerical/Administrative Support

  • Answer phone calls, monitor call list, make critical value calls, report results and document calls, as needed.
  • Scan documents (scan requisitions and worksheets); organize and file test reports and documents, file slides.
  • Identify and correct incorrect orders and specimen issues, which include duplicate tests, missing or incorrect samples, missing information, and unacceptable specimens.
  • Communicate effectively with lab staff, clinicians, and other customers to meet customer service expectations and maintains patient confidentiality.
  • Manage inventory, unpack shipments, stock lab supplies, and reconcile invoices. Participate in ordering reagents and supplies for the laboratory.
  • Assist lab leaders in development in technical procedures, protocols, and projects, as needed.
  • Participate in QA and compliance program; assist leadership where needed (data collection/investigation, inspection proof, CAP checklist).
  • Planning and participating in IT events (regression testing, LIS upgrades, new test builds, submitting and monitoring IT tickets).

Accessioning, Specimen Processing and Distribution

  • Accession and process samples with accuracy which includes specimen receiving, centrifuging, aliquoting, and evaluating specimens for suitability of testing.
  • Prioritize and accurately distribute patient samples within the laboratory consistent with quality assurance goals.
  • Access and navigate the Pathology Document Control System, Hospital Information System (HIS), and Laboratory Information System (LIS) to accession patient specimens, requesting additional information from appropriate resources.
  • Assist in Problem solving (duplicate tests, missing samples, incorrect samples, and missing information); call on unacceptable specimens (clotted, hemolyzed, wrong container etc.).
  • Work with other laboratory personnel to process patient casework with optimal efficiency and accuracy (e.g. basic sample preparation and setup of assays or loading automation lines).
  • Assist medical staff by attending procedures (bone marrows procedures, interoperative surgery), as required.

Laboratory Support / Maintain and Operate Instruments for Waived, Moderate and High Complexity Testing Instruments.

  • Perform and document daily maintenance as specified in instrument procedures.
  • Analyze patient samples as specified in the instrument procedures.
  • Enter test results into laboratory databases.
  • Ensure continuous operation by monitoring the status of reagents, parts, and supplies.
  • Monitor error codes and perform troubleshooting. Document problems, action taken and outcomes in instrument logbooks.
  • Perform general lab upkeep such as cleaning, removing trash, washing/sterilizing lab ware dishes, taking and recording temperatures, refrigerator and freezer maintenance, handling biohazard and chemical waste Assist with media and reagent preparation.
  • Maintain work area in a well-stocked, clean condition.
  • Serve as a resource person for staff and assist in creating and performing competencies.
  • Help build and develop continuing educational opportunities for staff, as needed.
  • Provide support for software systems within the laboratory, such as middleware and environmental monitoring systems.

Perform Testing for Waived, Moderate, and High Complexity Tests

  • Perform and document quality control and proficiency testing for waived, moderate, and high complexity tests. Act on out-of-range quality control values.
  • Perform waived, moderate, and high complexity testing.
  • Analyze patient samples and report test results consistent with accuracy and quality assurance goals of the laboratory into laboratory databases.
  • Interpret test results for waived, moderate, and high complexity tests.

Other Duties

  • Comply with departmental continuing education requirements.
  • Provides instructions in laboratory technique, instrumentation, and application of procedures to students and new employees.
  • Maintain competencies for all assigned sections.
  • Assist in scheduling and evaluation of needs.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Perform duties of Medical Laboratory Scientists.
  • Identify problems with instrumentation, methodology, specimens, supplies, or results and act as outlined in predetermined protocols.
  • Update procedure manuals and training materials to reflect current practices
  • Serve on laboratory and inter-departmental committees as requested
  • Initiate corrective action when required.
  • Maintain a safe work area in a well-stocked, clean condition.

Required Qualifications*

In order to be considered for this position the applicant must have met or will have met all the required qualifications prior to the start date of employment.

  • Bachelor degree in Medical Laboratory Science or other biological science or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist or eligibility for certification at the time of hire. 
  • Specialized laboratories may accept a Bachelor degree in a biological science with certification eligibility specific to that laboratory.

Desired Qualifications*

  • Have a minimum of 2 years of post-training experience in a relevant clinical laboratory for the duties described.
  • Previous experience with GC and LC/MS instrumentation
  • Time management skills and the ability to accomplish extra duties while completing patient work.
  • Must have demonstrated ability to perform the duties of an MLS at a high level of expertise, and the ability to perform the assigned work without sacrificing on patient care.
  • Time management skills and the ability to accomplish extra duties while completing patient work.

Work Schedule

This full time, 40 hour position will be on the day shift, and will require rotating holidays and weekends and on call work schedule with other staff.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

$3000.00 Signing bonus available.

Additional Information

Working Conditions

  • Works with infectious disease and/or hazardous materials.
  • May have exposure to noise from laboratory equipment and pneumatic tube system.
  • Requires frequent (standing/walking/sitting/hand pipetting) for long periods of time and the ability to lift to 25 lbs.

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.