Medical Laboratory Scientist Quality Lead, HMC Transfusion Services Lab

Who we’re looking for:
The UW Medicine
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (DLMP) in Seattle, WA has a fantastic opportunity for a Medical Laboratory Scientist Quality Lead with the Transfusion Services Laboratory at Harborview Medical Center. Join the Transfusion Service Laboratory (TSL) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Quality Lead and play a key role in advancing patient safety, transfusion quality, and operational excellence across UW Medicine.

This specialized MLS Lead position combines advanced transfusion medicine expertise with laboratory quality leadership to support safe, compliant, and efficient blood bank operations. In this role, you will serve as a technical resource for complex serologic investigations, transfusion-related patient safety events, regulatory compliance activities, and process improvement initiatives while working closely with laboratory leadership, clinical teams, and front-line staff. Unlike a traditional compliance-focused role centered primarily on coordination of audits, investigations, and quality system workflows, this position is deeply integrated into daily transfusion service operations and requires active MLS certification, advanced technical judgment, and ongoing competency in blood bank testing practices.

The MLS Quality Lead also provides mentorship and operational support to laboratory staff and may provide bench support during critical staffing or operational needs to help ensure continuity of patient care services.

1.0 FTE Monday-Friday Day shift

Technical Quality Leadership Serve as the lead MLS resource for transfusion service operations, technical quality, and blood bank patient safety practices across all campuses. Lead technical investigation and resolution of transfusion-related deviations, non-conforming events, and patient safety concerns. Apply advanced transfusion medicine knowledge and MLS judgment to evaluate blood product suitability, donor compatibility, patient safety risks, and operational compliance concerns during investigations and quality reviews.

Coordinate interdisciplinary review activities with laboratory staff, supervisors, medical directors, nursing, anesthesia, and clinical teams regarding transfusion-related quality and safety issues. Utilize expert technical judgment to identify root causes, evaluate corrective actions, and develop sustainable process improvements. Review quality data trends and investigation outcomes to identify systemic risks and operational improvement opportunities. Serve as a technical consultant and escalation resource for complex blood bank operational, quality, or compliance concerns.

Review and provide technical guidance for complex serologic investigations, antibody identification workups, compatibility testing discrepancies, and transfusion-related testing issues requiring advanced MLS expertise. Exercise independent technical judgment in evaluating transfusion testing practices, blood product suitability, and operational risks impacting patient care.

Leadership and Laboratory Operations Provide lead-level coordination and leadership of daily transfusion quality operations and workflows. Regularly assign, organize, instruct, schedule, and review quality-related work activities of staff consistent with UW lead responsibilities. Monitor workflow priorities related to investigations, audits, validations, corrective actions, inspection readiness, and operational support activities. Collaborate with laboratory leadership, faculty, supervisors, and medical directors to support operational continuity and regulatory compliance.

Promote staff participation in quality improvement, patient safety, and regulatory readiness activities. Maintain competency in transfusion service testing and provide direct bench support during staffing shortages, workflow surges, emergency operations, or other situations impacting continuity of patient care services. Ensure quality practices are operationally integrated into patient testing workflows and transfusion service laboratory operations. May perform duties of an MLS as operationally necessary to support…