Medical Laboratory Technician

Fairview Health Services is looking for a Medical Laboratory Technician for the University of Minnesota Medical Center Cell Therapy Laboratory located on the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus. This is a fulltime position. The hours include Monday through Friday, working 8 AM 4:30 PM, with occasional weekend shifts as needed.

The University of Minnesota Medical Center Cell Therapy Laboratory is a cell engineering laboratory that provides hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and other hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cell types derived from a variety of sources [bone marrow, peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood (UCB) and various tissues] for hematopoietic reconstitution and novel somatic cellular therapies.

The laboratory processes over 1000 cellular products, including 700 autologous, allogeneic-related and allogeneic-unrelated peripheral blood, UCB, bone marrow, and tissue products annually in support of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at University of Minnesota Medical Center.

The laboratory is staffed with medical laboratory scientists and lead technologists and is a valuable resource for clinical protocols and translational development of novel, complex cellular engineering methods. The laboratory annually processes over 1000 cellular products, andoperates 24 hours a day.

The laboratory operates 24 hours a day and the main processing space occupies 3,600 sq ft within the MCT building. The laboratory is comprised of three main cell processing rooms, four individual pass-through rooms, a supply and material storage room, a liquid nitrogen storage tank, and a dedicated loading dock.

Accreditations: The Cell Therapy Laboratory is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) approved and accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), College of American Pathologists (CAP), and AABB.

We offer competitive Benefits , including Tuition Assistance and Reimbursement.

This position plays an important role in providing quality, proficient and professional laboratory services to diverse populations within an integrated healthcare environment. The Medical Laboratory Technician performs waived, moderate or high complexity testing, correlates data based knowledge of technical and instrumental conditions affecting testing results and performs quality control procedures within established parameters. This position also may be involved in laboratory specimen collection, safe and secure specimen handling, ensuring efficient workflow and may schedules tests and provides results as appropriate. The MLT works independently under general supervision.

Candidates for this position should be prepared to perform laboratory organizer administrative duties. This will include maintaining production schedules, compiling results for batch production record lot release review, performing verification of complex calculations, data entry in multiple different reporting systems, equipment and clean room maintenance activities, product / specimen transport, and much more. Applicants must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

Consistently implement and adhere to the laboratory customer service standards. The standards include maintaining confidentiality, promoting teamwork, successful communication and conflict resolution. This may include:

• Scheduling tests/procedures according to SOPs
• Verifying patient demographic and billing insurance information for lab only employees
• Explaining test procedures when applicable to patients in a manner geared to gain their confidence and cooperation and relieve anxiety about the test.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supports and adheres to laboratory SOPs, quality assurance, performance improvement and compliance programs recognizing trends and identifying when additional reporting, communication or other action is appropriate. Demonstrates competency and compliance with all regulatory agency policies.

Quality Control/Quality Assurance:

• Responsible for quality control monitoring for processes and equipment.
• Complies with all standard operation procedures and policies.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives.
• Takes appropriate action upon identifying abnormal, discrepant, or unexpected results. Directly communicates and documents abnormal and critical results.
• Recognizes and communicates values and trends that exceed the QC decision levels. Takes action to resolve and consults with supervisor as needed.
• Documents compliance with lab and facility policies and procedures
• Complies with regulations of governmental or voluntary regulatory agencies
• Collaborates with the customers to promote customer satisfaction.

Personnel Attributes

• Team player
• Flexible in work hours
• Able to work independently
• Initiates proper safety or emergency responses.
• Exercises critical thinking to maintain and improve department productivity and efficiencies
• Well organized

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in a lab science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution. Qualified to work in a highly complex laboratory as mandated in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 (CLIA)

• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved laboratory certification such as ASCP or AMT. If not certified at time of hire, must obtain certification within 12 months.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician in an integrated healthcare environment.
• Certified MLT.

Other Required Skills

• Good mathematics skills.

Desired Skills

• Demonstrate the ability to work under stress in a variety of situations
• Ability to exercise independent judgment