Clinical Laboratory Scientist

at  Sonoma Specialty Hospital

ABOUT US:

Sonoma Specialty Hospital, as the county’s only Long-Term Acute Care Hospital, is dedicated to caring for patients that require an extended acute care stay due to severe illness or catastrophic injury. We accept patients from the ICU, Step-Down and Telemetry units of partner hospitals and continue their care for as long as 45 days. This care focuses on the challenges of getting patients off of ventilator support, healing severe wounds, aiding their recovery following surgical procedures, and providing rehabilitation to speed their return to daily life. Our Hospital provides ICU, Surgical, and Step-Down care with dialysis, multi-specialty therapies and ongoing planning for the patient’s transition back home or into a lower level of care. Please contact us with any questions, and welcome to Sonoma Specialty Hospital.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is responsible for the technical and scientific oversight of the laboratory. The CLS must be available to the lab on as needed basis to provide supervisor and/or to perform regular testing. The CLS will be responsible for project planning and development; staff development and training; budget preparation; regulatory compliance; contract negotiations for equipment, maintenance and supplies; productivity and performance improvement. Responsible for the analysis of laboratory specimens and subsequent result reporting according to laboratory protocol and procedures. Under the direction of the Pathologists and Laboratory Director/Manager, the CLS performs all technical (including maintenance), analytical, clerical, and quality assurance tasks and duties associated with laboratory testing. The Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for overseeing the daily operations in one or more technical areas, which includes one or more of the following areas: Blood Bank (Transfusion Services), Microbiology, Chemistry, Hematology, Point-of-Care Testing, and/or Laboratory Information Systems). The CLS is responsible for ensuring the technical area(s) is continuously in compliance with all regulatory requirements (CLIA, DNV, College of Pathologists, OSHA, etc) and for presenting the technical area(s) to all inspectors. All Clinical Laboratory Scientists (CLS) are required to maintain current CLS licensure and perform all work in compliance with all governmental regulations.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Current CA CLS license
• A. or B.S. degree and completion of an accredited Med Tech training program
• 3-5 years management or supervisory experience in a clinical laboratory preferred.
• Experience with Electronic Medical Record systems implementation required.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of CLIA, Title 22, CAP, AABB, local, state, federal regulations
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including customer service skills
• Expertise in using all Microsoft Office products including
• Attention to detail
• Works effectively with others
• Ability to anticipate, recognize and meet the needs of patients.
• A team player, adaptive and collaborative while working across the organization.
• Demonstrates good judgment and discretion regarding confidentiality of sensitive
• iQCP knowledge and implementation ability
• Experience and ability to write procedures and train and monitor staff.
• Ability to appropriately and respectfully teach and educate both new and experienced staff members.
• Expert in the technical area(s) assigned
• Ability and desire to work well individually and as a team member to meet testing requirements of productivity, turnaround time, prioritization, and accuracy.
• Must be able to work in a complex, fast-paced environment and take appropriate actions in challenging situations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform lab specimen testing for all ages of patients in order to provide accurate and timely diagnostic data in accordance with established procedures and policies.
• Evaluate the validity of results to determine if the value is outside the expected norms; documents and verbally reports all panic and critical test results to patient care area according to procedure.
• Collects and monitors necessary data and documentation to maintain all necessary licensing and certifications for the laboratory.
• Responsible for quality control studies, calibration and equipment maintenance to insure accuracy of clinical lab data; recognize and report problems and documents corrective
• Demonstrate effective organization and set appropriate priorities by completing assignments within prescribed timeframes; responsible for scheduling, staffing, timecards and daily operations of the
• Contribute to the effective communication needs of the department by providing timely and accurate communication in a positive manner, including performance appraisals, hiring, counseling and assisting callers or
• Maintain a safe, clean environment for all members of the health care team including collecting and disposing of specimens and other contaminated material according to established procedure with adherence to standards of infection control and blood/body fluid precautions and protective equipment when necessary.
• Demonstrate and maintain commitment for self-growth and competency including completion of all mandatory education requirements according to hospital and department standards and state licensing standards.
• Monitors staff licensing and certifications to assure they are current and accurate.
• Participate fully in department activities; provide input into staff discussion, problem solving effort and follow-
• Effectively uses all computer equipment, programs and instrument interfaces related to departmental operating functions.
• Responsible for proficiency testing activities to assure accurate test performance and
• Responsible for yearly staff competency evaluations and appraisals
• Meeting attendance including but not limited to quality council, safety, hospital management.

OTHER ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Ensures pending logs are reviewed regularly to ensure all specimens are accounted for and all received specimens are completed within departmental time frames. Takes immediate remedial action to locate missing specimens/tests.
• Ensures results are consistently reviewed to identify any non-conformities. Takes appropriate action to resolve, including education of staff as needed.
• Effectively and proficiently uses all laboratory and hospital computer systems, including consistent reading of e-mails to ensure knowledge is current. Communicates changes and updates to staff both verbally and through well-constructed written methods.
• Performs phlebotomy if needed, after completion of appropriate training and competency.
• Performs other job duties as necessary, consistent with training, education, and professional ethics.
• Willingly and quickly learns new laboratory skills and accepts assignments in other departments as needed.
• Helps support laboratory management by participation in research, development, and implementation of new laboratory testing procedures.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends or development in the field by reading appropriate books, journals, and attending related seminars, conferences, lab meetings, etc. Shares knowledge obtained with colleagues to improve overall depth of knowledge of departmental staff.
• Helps train and orient new team members
• With approval of the Laboratory Medical Director/ Manager, establishes and maintains procedures for every test in the assigned technical area(s). Ensures all staff have access to the procedure manual.
• Schedules work assignments and plans work schedules of staff to maintain consistent and adequate coverage of the laboratory in a cost-effective manner.
• Ensures continuous quality improvement, including investigation and appropriate follow up of reported incidents.
  It is the policy of Sonoma Specialty Hospital not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status