Medical Lab Scientist

Overview

SCRI Oncology Partners, located in Nashville, Tenn., is a dedicated cancer treatment center led by globally recognized oncologists with disease expertise in cancer care and clinical research. This center offers patients state-of-the art personalized cancer care and opportunities to participate in clinical trials with innovative treatments. The practice conducts clinical trials through their affiliation with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), a global leader in oncology research that has been offering and managing clinical trials in the community for over 30 years. Since its inception, SCRI has contributed to pivotal research that has helped advance the majority of new cancer therapies approved by the FDA today.

SCOPE:

The Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for independently performing and overseeing moderate complexity laboratory testing, ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of all results. The duties in this role include performing specimen analysis, instrument calibration and maintenance, and adherence to established quality control and assurance standards. The Senior Scientist serves as a technical resource and mentor, providing training and guidance to laboratory staff and acting as the primary operator for assigned laboratory instruments. In the absence of the supervisor, this position may oversee daily laboratory operations to ensure continuity of workflow and compliance with regulatory requirements. The Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist will support and adhere to the US Oncology Compliance Program, including the Code of Ethics and Business Standards, while promoting a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with special procedures as needed (i.e. bone marrows in the room).
• Follow the laboratory’s procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting, and maintaining records of patient results.
• Perform specimen analysis of all Chemistry and Hematology specimens.
• Maintain and operate all laboratory equipment. Performs daily, weekly and monthly instrument maintenance as indicated.
• Adhere to the laboratory’s quality control policies and documents all QC activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and instrument maintenance. Records lot numbers of all controls, calibrators, and reagents.
• Participate in proficiency testing by performing sample analysis and reporting results at least once a year.
• Record results on appropriate worksheets and computer systems and perform file maintenance.
• Follow 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.
• Document all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications.
• Maintain proper documentation as described by the quality assurance program including accession logs, test report logs, quality control logs, equipment records and checklists.
• Verify all critical results and documents with accurate follow-up.
• Maintain adequate inventory of supplies and ensure that all supplies are viable before using in patient testing.
• Prepare reagents and other chemical solutions as needed.
• Restock the laboratory area as needed.
• Process incoming orders for lab testing including reference laboratory and research specimens.
• Approve in-house and reference laboratory results for charting.
• Chart patient results in a timely manner as needed.
• Train employees in laboratory procedures.
• May act as primary operator for at least one laboratory instrument.
• Participate in development of new instruments and procedures as needed.
• Act as a resource for laboratory science information.
• May oversee daily laboratory activities of in the absence of supervisor.
• Comply with quality assurance standards.
• Adhere to all OSHA compliance laws and Universal Precaution procedures.
• Comply with applicable regulatory agency standards.
• Adhere to all practice policies and procedures.
• Properly dispose of hazardous materials.
• Maintain a clean working environment.
• Maintain confidentially all information related to patients and medical staff.
  
  

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in medical technology or laboratory science.
• 5 or more years of experience.
• Current state license if required.
• AMT, ASCP or equivalent certification preferred.
  
  

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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• full range of body motion including manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination in operation and manipulation of complex laboratory equipment.
• Sitting/standing for extensive periods of time with the use hands and arms to handle, feel, reach or carry.
• Occasionally lift and carry 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 accommodation may be made 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.