Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Description

FLSA Type:   Non-exempt, Full-time  (benefit eligible)

Department: Hospital Services

Work Days/Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:00 am - 1:30 pm (rotating on-call overnights, weekends, and holidays)

Reports to:  Director of Hospital Services

Pay Range: $57.69 - $60.67/hourly

Pay Grade:   18

Work Modality: On-site

Job Summary

This position is responsible for performing moderate and high complexity laboratory testing on patient and donor samples, interpreting and reporting results, performing quality control and quality assurance procedures, participating in regulatory inspections and complying with all applicable local, state, federal laboratory requirements, and following current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).

The Lead CLS is generally responsible for day-to-day testing operations, training or retraining, monitoring PM schedules, and inventory and reagent control. The Lead CLS also assists with outsourced donor testing, including reconciliation of results and working with QA on confirmatory testing. 

       
Essential Responsibilities 

· Assist in Quality Control and maintenance of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), document review, data log review, and instrumentation review. 

· Perform, document and ensure regular timely maintenance as well as PM (Preventive Maintenance) of instrumentation.

· Train new testing staff on all SOPs, instrumentation function, electronic systems, workflow, including basic concepts and workflow in reference lab

· Review testing staff training forms, records and competencies.

· Assist with component documentation review. 

· Contribute to review and update of testing SOPs. 

· Responsible for inventory control including and ordering supplies and reagents as needed. Ensure reagents are rotated and not expiring on shelves. Evaluate standing orders.

· Responsible for discard and control of biohazardous waste including quarantine of products.

· Assist all laboratory staff in preparing for inspections.

· Demonstrate a commitment to working in a strong team environment.

· Performs, interprets, reviews, and documents complex antibody identification, compatibility testing, antigen typing, and donor serological testing

· Prepares preliminary patient results reports for hospital customers

· Assist with donor notification and lookbacks

· Cross-trains in platelet manufacturing, product QC testing, and component manufacturing to respond to operational needs

· Manufactures special blood components such as frozen and deglycerolized red blood cells

· Provides support and expertise to hospital customers regarding immunohematology testing

· Reviews and finalizes donor testing results provided by outside testing laboratories

· Reviews testing performed by other areas of the Laboratory (e.g., product QC and testing performed by Components)

· Demonstrates proficiency and follows laboratory standard operating procedures and policies by adherence to quality assurance guidelines for equipment and work area, documenting corrective action to any non-conforming event

· Performs all assigned duties in compliance with internal SOPs and external regulations

· Provides technical support/liaison to blood center operations

· Serves as CLIA Technical Supervisor

· Performs and maintains all QC logs, analyzes complex problems, and recommends additional service as needed

· Exercises clinical judgment in assessing priorities while identifying problems and offering solutions to test systems independently or through the appropriate department channels, i.e., contacts tech support to troubleshoot with a specialist, when necessary, to resolve the issue or set-up service when appropriate

· Participates in planning and implementing change through participation in staff meetings, task forces or projects

· Demonstrates a commitment to working in a strong team environment and strict adherence to CCBC employee handbook and all company policies

· Demonstrates alignment with and adherence to the company’s core values in all interactions, decisions, and work activities; serves as a role model for fostering a positive, respectful, and ethical workplace culture 

· This position requires consistent, on-time attendance in accordance with company policy. Excessive tardiness or absenteeism may impact performance and employment status

· Employees in this role are entitled and expected to take compliant meal and rest periods in accordance with California law.

Note: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Requirements

 Qualifications and Skills

Education/Licenses/Experience 

• Current California CLS or CIS license is required and must be      maintained 
• Preferred- Certified SBB/BB or equivalent.

Skills

• Knowledge of safety precautions required for working with bloodborne pathogens is required 
• 3 years of laboratory testing experience is required
• IRL or complex blood banking experience is preferred

  Physical Requirements

· Constant computer use (keyboard, mouse)

· Frequent lifting/carrying between 0-10 lbs. 

· Frequent sitting

· Frequent standing

· Frequent walking 

· Frequent handling (holding, light grasping)

· Occasional bending at the neck

· Occasional bending at the waist

· Occasional twisting at the beck

· Occasional twisting at the waist 

· Occasional pushing and pulling

· Infrequent lifting/carrying between 11-25lbs.

· Infrequent reaching below shoulder

· Infrequent fine fingering (pinching, picking)

Working Conditions

· Constant operating of hazardous machinery 

· Frequent exposure to excessive noise

· Occasional work in close proximity to others 

· Environmentally controlled laboratory environment

· Infrequent exposure to extreme cold temperatures, and could be required to enter walk-in freezer at 32°F or lower

· Infrequent walking on slippery and uneven surfaces

· Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, mask or goggles

· Possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens 

The Central California Blood Center is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, hair style, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state of California Civil Rights Law, it is the policy of Central California Blood Center to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Department at myhr@donateblood.org.

Salary : $58 - $61