Immunohematology Laboratory Scientist III

Scientist III in Immunohematology Reference Lab

Bloodworks Northwest is backed by more than 70 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. A national leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks has been chosen to serve more than 90 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska – partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research.

We are local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Perform daily workups of complex antibody problems and other red cell reference testing. Fill blood orders promptly.
• Perform antibody  tube, gel, and solid phase methods.
• Perform warm autoantibody evaluations using matched cells and adsorption-elution techniques.
• Use enhancing reagents and enzymes to evaluate complex antibody problems.
• Perform extended transfusion reaction evaluations.
• Perform neonatal evaluations and antibody titers.
• Foster good customer service by acting as a technical resource and consultant to internal and external laboratory professionals and physicians. This may include the clinical significance of results, billing and logistical issues, etc.
• Maintain and track inventory levels of antigen-typed units and testing supplies.
• Maintain proficiency in the thawing of rare units (ARDP).
• Type, pack, and send rare units provided to the national exchange of rare units.
• Participate in initiatives to meet the requirements of the American Rare Donor Program to maintain AABB IRL accreditation for the laboratory.
• Prepare and QC reagents and serum for use during daily operations.
• Review workup documentation, final reports, and coordinate billing for testing performed.
• Encourage cooperation among all staff and maintain a professional, productive working environment.
• Troubleshoot equipment and transportation problems.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of all testing, research, and validation. Perform and document equipment Quality Control (QC) and maintenance.
• Work with laboratory staff to develop clear, concise, and up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Understand and participate in the laboratory's Quality Assurance (QA) functions. Report incidents involving unusual circumstances or failure to follow the written standard operating procedure.
• Complete CAP/AABB Survey Assignments within the allotted timeframe.
• Coordinate direct observations for competency assessments
• Keep current with emerging technologies and trends within the field of red cell reference.
• Participate in continuing education activities totaling at least 6 contact hours per year.
• Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as written.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Must qualify as Testing Personnel, High Complexity Testing, under CLIA personnel requirements found in Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations.
• A Bachelor of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, another biological science, or its equivalent is required.
• Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Blood Bank Technologist (BB), or Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or equivalent is required.
• Certification as a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) is preferred.
• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in an Immunohematology Laboratory is required.

Specific job skills include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to comply with Bloodworks' Mandatory Vaccinations policy
• Requires the ability to comprehend the criticality of the testing performed as it relates to blood components prepared for transfusion or organs transplanted. Includes a fundamental understanding of the financial value of testing reagents and blood components being prepared, and the necessity of complying with all regulatory requirements (AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, and WA State), including the FDA's "Good Manufacturing Practices".
• Required mental activities involve continuous use of teamwork Required mental activities used less frequently include interpersonal skills,…