Relief Clinical Laboratory Scientist I/II

Full Job Description

San Mateo Medical Center is currently seeking three Relief Clinical Laboratory Scientists I/II.

San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) is a public hospital and clinic system fully accredited by The Joint Commission.

SMMC operates outpatient clinics throughout San Mateo County and an acute-care hospital in San Mateo, with a mission to "partner with patients to provide excellent care with compassion and respect." As part of an integrated San Mateo County Health, SMMC serves the healthcare needs of all residents of San Mateo County, with an emphasis on education and prevention.

SMMC Laboratory is looking for experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientists to join our team! Positions are available for Clinical Laboratory Scientists/Medical Technologists in various shifts. Generalists are encouraged to apply as clinical areas include hematology, chemistry, coagulation, and blood banking.

Under general supervision, the Relief Clinical Laboratory Scientists I/II (Medical Technologist/Generalist) will perform high and moderate complexity testing and oversee testing of medical laboratory technicians and specimen management by phlebotomists during their shift in order to provide data used in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of diseases.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Clinical Laboratory Scientist I is the journey level class in the medical technologist series with incumbents performing routine and specialized laboratory tests. This class is flexibly staffed with Clinical Laboratory Scientist II and incumbents are expected to advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating the required proficiency.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist II is the advanced journey level class in the medical technologist series with incumbents independently performing a variety of complex and specialized laboratory tests.

The ideal candidate will also possess:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Medical Technology/Clinical Laboratory Science, or another related field.
• Possession of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (MTA) license issued by the State of California is required.
• 2 - 5 years of experience in medical laboratory work as a licensed technologist is strongly preferred.
• Experience in working in acute care hospital setting.
• Strong understanding of lab regulations.
• Ability to quickly adapt to different shifts and workflows.
• Comfortable working with minimal supervision.
• Experience with hematology, chemistry and/or blood banking.

Requirements

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform microbiological examinations on a variety of specimens using morphological, cultural, biochemical, and serological identification of micro-organisms.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of blood and urine using standard procedures.
• Perform routine hematological examinations such as complete blood count, coagulation studies, sedimentation rate, etc.
• Perform blood banking procedures including typing, grouping, and cross matching of blood for transfusion.
• Perform serological examinations using a variety of techniques on various clinical specimens.
• Prepare culture media, stains, reagents and stock solutions.
• Operate and care for laboratory equipment and assumes responsibility for preventive maintenance.
• Perform all quality control tests required by procedures and prepare quality control reports.
• Maintain records of laboratory results, quality control data, and laboratory procedures.
• Assist in laboratory quality assurance procedures, data gathering and problem-solving.
• Compile and prepare periodic reports.
• Assist in training and guiding laboratory assistants and paraprofessional employees, as well as teaching other technologists' new procedures.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Note: The level and scope of the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below are related to job duties as defined under Distinguishing Characteristics.

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a Clinical Laboratory Technologist license issued by the State of California; and/or Clinical Immunohematologist Scientist (MTD) license issued by the State of California.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree (baccalaureate) in biology, clinical laboratory science, or equivalent major that includes 25 semester or equivalent quarter units of biology courses, which must include genetics and immunology.
• Experience: Minimum of two years of experience performing medical laboratory work as a licensed technologist, including at least one year of experience in immunohematology.

Knowledge of:

• Current technology, principles and application of medical examinations such as those commonly used in biochemistry, microbiology, blood banking, hematology and or serology.
• Operation and care of laboratory equipment and instrumentation.

Skill/Ability to:

• Make independent judgments in evaluating the validity of completed laboratory tests.
• Maintain and analyze quality control programs.
• Follow written and oral directions, procedures or instructions.
• Perform serological, parasitological, bacteriological, immunological, hematology, and biochemical tests.

Additional Information

If you are interested in being considered for this extra help position, the following materials must be electronically submitted in a Word or PDF format.

1) Cover letter

2) Resumé

3) Responses to these supplemental questions:

Possession of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the State of California; and/or Clinical Immunohematologist Scientist (MTD) license issued by the State of California is required.

Do you possess a valid Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the State of California or Clinical Immunohematologist Scientist (MTD) license issued by the State of California?

(A "No" response will disqualify your application.)YesNo

Describe the specific techniques/methods you use to evaluate and validate instrumentation. When and why do Clinical Laboratory Scientists calibrate in the laboratory? Give one work-related example that best demonstrates your response.

Give a specific example of a situation when you had an emergency in the laboratory involving an equipment malfunction. What steps did you take to handle the situation, and what was the outcome?

Describe your blood bank experience, including your role and where you gained this experience.

Relief Clinical Laboratory Scientists are required to work various shifts and hours. What is your availability?
Day Shift
Evening Shift
Night Shift
Weekends

Please include the words "Relief Clinical Laboratory Scientist I/II" in the subject line of your email submission. All submitted materials must be in Word or PDF format.

Please submit the above-listed materials via email to:

Chad Below, Clinical Services Manager II - Laboratory
cbelow@smcgov.org

Apply immediately. This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. Resumés will be accepted until the position is filled, and selection may be made at any time within the process.

NOTE: Application materials are only accepted via e-mail. Materials sent via regular mail and/or fax will not be accepted. Submittals that do not include all required elements (Cover Letter, Resume and responses to the supplemental questions) will not be considered. Application materials will be reviewed as they are received, and well-qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.