Clinical Lab Scientist - Immunohematology - Staff Icons

Under the direction of the department leadership, the Clinical Laboratory Scientist I is responsible for Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (IRL) processes according to cGMP compliant policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). The IRL is a highly regulated laboratory where employees must successfully complete/pass an initial training program and complete competency assessments in intervals defined by policies.

Responsibilities

• Performs all assigned duties in compliance with internal SOPs and external regulations.
• Provides guidance and expertise for the laboratory to meet the needs of customers, in accordance with accepted standards and regulations.
• Supports the safety, GMP and Quality Plan. Adheres to GMP guidelines.
• Assist in training new personnel and other staff members.
• Assists in the care, maintenance and quality control of equipment and supplies.
• Maintains department records, reports and statistical data as required.
• Assists in developing new lab processes and procedures.
• Assists with laboratory quality and variance programs.
• Participates in department meetings and educational programs.
• Interpersonal skills to establish and maintain professional relationships.
• Decision making skills.
• Professional communication, both written and oral, which is clear and precise.
• Must be detail oriented, well organized and display good time management skills.
• Self-motivated and capable of independent work.
• Integrity and discretion ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to perform under pressure and work under stressful situations.
• Team orientation.
• Teaching and training abilities.
• Understands and adheres to the policies, procedures and standards developed as part of the Compliance Program.
• Participates in the IRL on call rotation.
• Performs red cell blood grouping and antibody identification on donor and referred patient blood samples.
• Determines suitability for transfusion of donor units with discrepant ABO or Rh groups and unexpected red cell antibodies.
• Performs pre-transfusion compatibility testing as needed.
• Performs platelet crossmatching.
• Performs adsorptions as needed.
• Identifies antibodies to high and low prevalence antigens.
• Performs donor and patient red cell antigen typing.
• Performs elutions as needed.
• Enzyme treats red blood cells as needed.
• Able to use reducing agents.
• Able to remove immunoglobulin from red cells as needed.
• Able to perform inhibition/neutralization testing.
• Able to perform titrations.
• Able to identify cold-reactive antibodies.
• Provides verbal and written reports, technical assistance, and consultation to customers.
• Performs DNA extractions.
• Performs Next Generation Sequencing.
• Investigates and reviews non-conformances through quality incident reporting.
• Performs supervisory reviews and tasks as needed.
• Performs validations and new process development.
• Assists with staff training and competency when applicable.
• May cross train in the Quality Control Laboratory.

Equipment Used

• Serologic Centrifuges
• Cell Washers
• Heat Blocks/Water Baths
• Thermometers
• Refrigerator/Freezers
• Plate Washers
• KingFisher Flex
• Illumina MiniSeq
• Single and multichannel pipettes
• Vortex
• Mini centrifuge
• Plate Spinner
• Qubi

Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor's degree required.

Certifications/Licenses

• MLS/MT(ASCP)CM or equivalent experience
• CA Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) required
• CA Clinical Immunohematologist Scientist (CIS) preferred
• Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) certification preferred

Experience :

• Up to three (3) years of Laboratory experience.

Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as Standard Operating Procedures, safety rules, and equipment operating and maintenance instructions.
• Flexibility to work independently and with a team.
• Organized and able to efficiently prioritize and handle multiple tasks at one time to provide a productive workflow.
• Ability to work independently with limited direct supervision.
• Ability to apply judgement to written or oral instructions.
• Above average attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Clear and effective communication skills, both oral and written.