UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Specification for Class
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST 1
UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP
18400 (E S SEIU 925 HCP/LT)
17877 (NE S SEIU 925 HCP/LT)
20722 (NE H Temp SEIU 925 HCP/LT)
CLASS SERIES CONCEPT
Perform and/or provide high level support for the performance of moderate to high complexity clinical laboratory tests and interpretations used in the screening, diagnosing, and treating of pathological conditions.
BASIC FUNCTION
Perform and/or provide high level support for the performance at a professional level of moderate to high complexity manual and automated clinical diagnostic tests and interpretations in a clinical laboratory.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Under general supervision, perform and/or provide high level support for the performance of moderate to high complexity testing and interpretations.
TYPICAL WORK
Perform clinical diagnostic laboratory tests; record, evaluate and interpret test results; contact appropriate personnel for tests with unusual or critical findings;
Assist in developing, following procedures and/or troubleshooting procedures and problems that may or may not include actual wet lab involvement, but require a comprehensive understanding of laboratory testing gained from a foundation of medical laboratory science training and experience performing moderate to high complexity testing.
Calibrate, operate, troubleshoot and perform preventive maintenance to laboratory instruments and related equipment. The following is a partial list of instruments commonly utilized by personnel in this class:
- Microbial ID and susceptibility instrumentation
- Blood culturing instruments and gas chromatography instrumentation
- Blood gas analyzers; high performance liquid chromatography instrumentation
- Light, phase and fluorescence microscopes
- Discrete chemistry and immunoassay analyzers
- Electrophoresis and densitometry instrumentation
- Mass spectrometry instrumentation
- Electronic cell counters; coagulation analyzers
- Operate and troubleshoot total laboratory automation (TLA) systems
- DNA extraction, DNA sequencing and library preparation instrumentation
Assure that quality control requirements are met to validate test results; record data and maintain continual quality assurance program; utilize electronic quality control system;
Utilize laboratory information system, discipline-specific middleware, as well as institution-based computer systems for test result entry and/or data acquisition;
Collect specimens; may assist and instruct patients and medical staff in proper specimen collection techniques; may assist physicians in obtaining bone marrow specimens and preparing specimens for evaluation;
Assist in instruction and training of new employees, post-doctoral fellows, residents, and students;
Act as a resource to other lab personnel including Clinical Laboratory Technicians and Specimen Processing Technicians;
Assist in the design, development and evaluation of new procedures/processes;
Prepare and verify the quality of reagents, standards, and control samples;
Continuing education: keep ASCP or other certification up to date per guidelines of National Organization; and
Perform related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Accredited Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science OR equivalent education/experience
AND
Current Medical Laboratory Science certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or equivalent certifying organization; or certification with specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division.
AND
One year of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist Trainee. Up to one year of on-the-job experience performing clinical testing in a Medical Laboratory Science Program externship may count towards the experience requirement.
CLASS SPECIFICATION HISTORY
New Class: 1-3-73
Revise Title and Class: 12-14-73
Revise Class: 4-18-88
Revise MQ: 5-14-04
Civil Service Reform (CSR) Class Conversion (mc): 06-01-05
Revise Class/New CBU: 3-8-11
Revise Class: 1-1-14, including title change from Clinical Technologist 1 to Medical Laboratory Scientist 1
Revise basic function and distinguishing characteristics: 5-1-22