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Nemours is seeking a Medical Laboratory Scientist (Full-Time), to join our Nemours Children's Health team in Orlando, Florida.

Work Schedule: Weekends and weekdays, variable shifts

Located in Orlando, Fla., Nemours Children's Hospital is the newest addition to the Nemours integrated healthcare system. Our 130-bed pediatric hospital also features the area's only 24-hour Emergency Department designed just for kids as well as outpatient pediatric clinics including several specialties previously unavailable in the region. A hospital designed by families for families, Nemours Children's Hospital blends the healing power of nature with the latest in healthcare innovation to deliver world-class care to the children of Central Florida and beyond. In keeping with our goal of bringing Nemours care into the communities we serve, we also provide specialty outpatient care in several clinics located throughout.

The Medical Laboratory Scientist exhibits the certified expertise required to perform complex services, procedures, and related tasks in the clinical laboratory, including in the areas of molecular diagnostics and flow cytometry, while under the direction of a Laboratory Supervisor or Manager.

The MLS will perform a variety of analytical procedures and specimen testing of moderate to high complexity, properly utilizing methodologies and instruments in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures and in compliance with regulatory agency requirements. The MLS may oversee some procedures being handled by Medical Laboratory Technicians, as needed.

• Performs a variety of analytical procedures of moderate to high complexity in all areas of the laboratory as assigned, using manual and automated methods, and through a variety of clinical laboratory methodologies. In this function, must be able to independently perform all required calibration, quality control, statistical calculations and other process control and mathematical functions. Must also be able to understand concepts such as linearity, and standard deviation, as it applies to the performance of analytical testing in a clinical laboratory.
• Additional responsibilities in Microbiology (if assigned):
  • Perform culture set-up, Gram stain preparation and interpretation, incubation, and examination to accurately and appropriate apply clinical and technical judgement.
  • Conduct bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing from appropriate specimen types, ensuring accurate interpretation of clinical significance (normal flora vs pathogens) and compliance with quality and safety standards.
  • Perform molecular diagnostic assays (e.g., PCR) and rapid antigen testing, including specimen preparation, test set-up, result interpretation, and timely result reporting.
• Develops and validates various complex tests for implementation in all sections of the laboratory. Collaborates in the writing and review of policies and standard operating procedures and completes proficiency testing.
• Orders, accessions, statuses, and reports the results of tests performed on patient specimens, monitoring a variety of critical clinical issues, such as patient identifiers, specimen quality, order appropriateness, etc. In this function, must be able to read and understand a variety of written material such as specimen requisitions, worksheets, patient identification, specimen requirements, etc., whether performing this task manually (e.g., on paper) or using an information system. Must be able to check and verify information such as patient identification, lot numbers, expiration dates, etc., and act appropriately. Monitors pending logs regularly to provide rapid turnaround time.
• Operates, calibrates, and performs troubleshooting and maintenance on laboratory equipment following established procedures, and as assigned by supervisor. Must be able to take responsibility for laboratory equipment performance, as demonstrated by interactions with technical representatives for instrument maintenance, both preventive and repair; must be able to successfully perform start-up and shutdown of complex analytical equipment. Recognizes need for additional Quality Control, maintenance, or specimens prior to releasing test results.
• If specifically trained and assigned to specimen collection, processing and handling, collects or assists with specimens from patients or others in special procedures (e.g., assisting physicians at bone marrow aspirate collections). Such collections may take place in a variety of environments. Such collections may require entering patient isolation rooms, whereby, associate must follow appropriate infection control procedures.
• Transports and handles specimens as assigned, following appropriate procedures.
• Reviews technical and administrative procedures, as assigned. Responsible for staying informed about section changes, procedure changes and updates, etc. Reviews questions about procedures with section supervisor or designee as needed, informing supervisor when confusion about instructions or procedures exists.
• Handles supply and inventory issues as required/assigned, identifying key technical parameters, such as lot numbers, storage requirements, etc. as required for performance of laboratory procedures. Follows laboratory section inventory procedures (e.g., recording date received, condition when received, checking order forms, invoices, etc.) Retrieves supplies and equipment from storage areas as needed. Notifies the section leader to place orders to avoid inventory deficiencies.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Lab program or Science related program is required.
• Minimum of 6 months experience required. Experience can include clinical practicum time as a student.
• Florida Technologist License required in relevant sections of the laboratory (Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology/Serology, Microbiology, and Immunohematology).
• Nationally/Internationally recognized certification as a Medical Technologist or equivalent (ASCP, AAB or AMT) is required.
• Florida Technologist License in Molecular Pathology preferred.

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