MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a dedicated and highly skilled Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) to join our dynamic team in Kankakee, Illinois. The ideal candidate will be responsible for performing a wide range of laboratory tests that assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. This role requires a strong understanding of laboratory techniques, quality control, and safety procedures. The MLS will work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to ensure accurate and timely results, contributing to the overall quality of patient care. Computer skills, ability to multitask, and customer service interactions are also required. Position includes rotating weekend and holiday shifts.

Essential Duties

• Specimen Processing: Prepare, and process patient specimens (blood, urine, tissue, etc.) for laboratory analysis, ensuring accuracy and adherence to procedures.
• Laboratory Testing: Perform routine and complex laboratory tests in areas such as hematology, coagulation, chemistry, microbiology, immunology, urinalysis, and blood bank/transfusion services. Document any deviation from standard procedures and communicate to supervisor.
• Quality Control: Conduct and document quality control procedures on laboratory instruments and test results, identifying and addressing any deviations or inconsistencies. Participate in proficiency testing as requested by supervisor.
• Learning and Development: Engage in ongoing educational opportunities related to laboratory science. Complete all competency assessments at required intervals.
• Documentation and Reporting: Accurately document test results in the laboratory information system (LIS) and maintain records in accordance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Equipment Maintenance: Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, ensuring they are functioning correctly and efficiently.
• Safety and Compliance: Adhere to all laboratory safety procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), infection prevention standards, and handling and disposal of biohazardous materials and chemicals.
• Troubleshooting: Identify and troubleshoot technical problems with laboratory tests or equipment, escalating issues as necessary to ensure timely resolution.
• Collaboration: Work closely with other laboratory and healthcare professionals to ensure timely and accurate test results, contributing to patient care. Promote good public relations. Communicate critical results to licensed caregivers, documenting communication per policy.
• Survey Support: Assist with inspections including, but not limited to, CAP and DNV. Follow CAP requirements and assist in maintaining CAP compliance as directed.
• Inventory Management: Assist in managing laboratory inventory, including ordering and stocking supplies, reagents, and equipment. Prepare routine and special solutions, reagents, and stains using established procedures.
• Administrative Support: Provide support with administrative tasks, such as filing, documentation, and responding to inquiries from healthcare providers or patients.
• Training and Mentoring: Provide guidance and training to new laboratory staff and students, as needed.
• Flexibility: Demonstrate flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Required Experience

• Proficiency in performing a wide range of laboratory tests
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Experience

• 1-2 years of experience in a clinical laboratory setting is preferred, but not required
• Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS) and basic computer skills for data entry and documentation desired
• Knowledge of current laboratory standards and regulations, including those set by CAP and CLIA a plus

Required Licensure/Education

• Bachelors degree in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS), Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS), or a related field from an accredited institution
• Certification as an MLS by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent
• OR Must register for MLS (ASCP or AMT) certification exam within 6 months of hire and certification obtained within 1 year of hire

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Too many to list individually. Multiple acids, bases, caustics, corrosives, and carcinogens, formlin
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Work with all forms of blood and body fluid specimens so potential for exposure is very high
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Small exposure to patients so potential of exposure is minimal but present. High risk for TB and other airborne pathogens when working with patient specimens

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Needed to communicate with coworkers, providers, clinical staff, and other customers
• Vision: Needed for computer operation and specimen processing and testing
• Smell: Electrical/fire safety
• Hearing: Needed to hear the instrument operate in order to detect malfunction and to listen to co-workers, patients, and other customers
• Touch: Needed for all specimen processing with a great deal of fine motor skills involved

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 30%
• Twist: 2%
• Stand: 30%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 30%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 2%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 2%
• Reach above shoulders: 1%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 50 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Up to 20 lbs. - Putting reagents on instrument. If not in Lab, take cart to storeroom lift approximately 24 lbs., place on cart, return to Lab, take off cart and lift approximately 6\"\" to proper place on machine. Up to 10 lbs. - Lift from floor to

waist high.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 90
• Twist: 5
• Stand: 90
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 45
• Kneel: 1
• Lift: 2
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 5
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 2
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. Normal weight: very frequent
• Pushing & pulling Normal weight: up to 3-50 lbs. frequently
• Fine Manipulation: Writing, typing, pipetting, slide making, instrument maintenance, manipulating specimen for testing procedures

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: None

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Very Bright
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors, Fumes, Dust

Special Hazards: Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Other - Mechanical and electrical equipment, all types of chemicals, powder in latex gloves as a skin irritant. All explosive and flammable chemicals are stored in an explosion-proof cabinet. Constant exposure to blood and body fluids.

Protective Clothing Required: Gloves, masks, safety goggles, lab coat, closed toe shoes