Clinical Lab Scientist I

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Overview

Tri-City Medical Center has served San Diego County’s coastal communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista, as well as the surrounding region for more than 60 years and is one of the largest employers in North San Diego County. Tri-City is administered by the Tri-City Healthcare District, a California Hospital District. As a full-service acute care public hospital with over 500 physicians practicing in over 60 specialties, Tri-City is vital to the well-being of our community and serves as a healthcare safety net for many of our citizens. The hospital has received a Gold Seal of Approval® from the Joint Commission showcasing a commitment to safe and effective patient care for the residents of the community. 

Tri-City Medical Center prides itself on being the home to leading orthopedic, spine and cardiovascular health services while also specializing in world-class robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. Tri-City’s Emergency Department is there for your loved ones in their time of need and is highly regarded for our heart attack and stroke treatment programs. When minutes matter, Tri-City is your source for quality compassionate care close to home. Tri-City partners with over 90 local non-profit and community organizations as part of our COASTAL Commitment initiative. Together we are helping tackle some of our communities’ pressing health and social needs.

Position Summary:

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) is licensed with the State of California and works under the general technical supervision of the Laboratory Manager. The CLS performs complex, moderately complex, and waived testing as indicated under the CLIA Act and as required by laboratory accrediting agencies. The CLS will ensure laboratory policies and procedures are followed and that hospital objectives, regarding safety of laboratory personnel are met.

Major Position Responsibilities:

The position characteristics reflect the most important duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential functions of the job in a fully competent manner. They should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. The characteristics of the position and standards of performance may be changed by TCMC with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

• Maintains a safe, clean working environment, including unit based safety and infection control requirements.
• Follows the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results appropriately.
• Performs patient testing accurately and at a speed and volume consistent with the turnaround time goals of the department and within the scope of the training and competency assessed by the laboratory designee.
• Prioritizes the workload and workflow appropriately to ensure that testing for priority patients is completed first.
• Performs proficiency testing samples according to laboratory procedure. Performs and documents instrument maintenance and procedural calibrations appropriately.
• Performs and documents quality control and quality assurance procedures appropriately.
• Follows the laboratory's established policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory's established acceptable levels of performance.
• Appropriately identifies problems that may adversely affect the test performance or the reporting of test results and takes action to correct the problems and communicate with the department technical specialist.
• Appropriately documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory's established performance specifications.
• Follows appropriate infection control practices in the department and wears appropriate PPE.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• CLS Trainee: Restricted to the duties of processing and setup of specimens, with no test performance, verification, or release of results.

Qualifications:

• Must be capable of applying excellent judgment and communication skills to the job.

Education: 

• Meets education requirements for CLS licensure.

Licenses:

• Valid California license as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist required.
• CLS Trainee – California license as a Clinical Lab Scientist obtained within 120 days of hire, required.

Each new hire candidate who is offered employment must pass a physical evaluation, urine drug screen and pre-employment background checks before starting work.

*Salary/Hourly Wage range based on experience.

To protect the health of patients and staff, and to comply with the new State of California mandates, all job offers are contingent on the successful engagement in the TCMC COVID-19 vaccination program (fully vaccinated with documented proof or approved exception/deferral.)

TCHD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.