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Astera Health has a Medical Lab Technician (MLT) or Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) Chemistry Lead opening at the Wadena campus. This position is full-time, scheduled at 80 hours bi-weekly with the option to work 8 or 10 hour shifts. This position's shift varies with both days and evenings; with rotating every fourth weekend and holidays overnight. Astera Health offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and retirement. We also support work-life balance through benefits such as paid time off, and long-term disability and our employee wellness initiative.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assists in reporting performance improvement activities within the department and interdepartmentally.
• Maintains compliance with established policies and procedures for safety and infection control to ensure the well-being of patient, family, and staff, i.e., patient safety, fire, disaster and isolation.
• Participates in routine laboratory work using personal protective equipment and abides by established safety/hazardous/infection control policies set forth—reports incidents as necessary.
• Performs phlebotomy and ECGs using personal protective equipment, safety devices, and standard precautions. Always follow proper patient identification.
• Proficient in microscopic techniques to perform urinalysis, hematology, and bacteriology procedures.
• Performs preventative maintenance in assigned areas to ensure equipment operates at optimal performance and demonstrates a strong understanding of quality control principles while adhering to established guidelines.
• Maintains compliance with established standards, i.e., federal, state, CAP, Joint Commission, and local regulatory agencies.
• Maintains effective working relationships with all Astera Health staff and providers, serving as a liaison for the laboratory manager and/or laboratory director. Proactively addresses issues and ensures clear, timely communication.
• Assists in the clinical internship for MLT and phlebotomy students.
• Assists with the investigation and follow-up of complaints or concerns from patients, families, staff, or providers, including implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Assists in maintaining adequate general inventory for patient care needs.
• Recognizes and performs duties that need to be performed although not directly assigned. Demonstrates the ability to help others in the department and still complete tasks.
• Assist in the orientation and onboarding of new laboratory team members.
• All other duties, assignments and projects are subject to change or alteration.

Chemistry Lead Responsibilities:

• Oversee Chemistry department quality control and preventative maintenance on all testing platforms to ensure compliance with CAP and other regulatory standards.
• Operate, calibrate, perform maintenance and troubleshoot all Chemistry platforms.
• Participate in validation, verification, and correlation of new equipment or laboratory methods along with required intervals of current testing per CAP standards.
• Manage inventory and procurement of all Chemistry department supplies, ensuring sufficient stock levels to support daily operations while maintaining strong financial stewardship and cost efficiency.
• Directly prepares for, participates in, and maintains compliance with established standards, i.e., federal, state, CAP, Joint commission, MDH and local regularity agencies. Involved with review of CAP and JC regulations annually to ensure compliance.
• Participate in biennial CAP inspections and internal self-inspections of the Chemistry department, as well as perform peer inspections as assigned by the laboratory manager.
• Serves as the Chemistry subject matter expert, acting as the primary resource for technical questions and guidance for laboratory staff, providers, patients, clients, and inspectors.
• Continue to research new testing and analyzer platforms. Manage bringing on new testing and attend training as requested by lab manager.
• Follow up on any instrument customer support inquiries and repairs to ensure accurate and quality laboratory results.
• Write, review, and maintain all associated Chemistry departmental policies. Ensure binders, tip sheets and tools used in the department are current.
• Designee for competency sign off. Directly involved with new employee/student training.
• Provide Chemistry departmental updates and communications as needed to the laboratory staff, providers, patients, and clients.
• Maintains current knowledge of new laboratory procedures, products, and equipment to serve as a technical resource and provide expert clinical guidance.
• Oversee and review all Chemistry department related proficiency testing.
• Perform annual DI water testing system per CAP regulations.
• Oversee and coordinate semiannual laboratory pipette calibrations in compliance with CAP requirements.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by Lab Supervisor and Laboratory Manager.

Core Competencies:

• Annual technical competencies are required by CAP and Joint Commission.
• Annual employee education is required by the organization.
• Analytical thinking, the ability to recognize discrepancies in test results or equipment performance and effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Proficiency in automated analyzers and manual laboratory methodologies, electronic medical record software, and standard office equipment and software.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates a high degree of commitment to customer service excellence.
• Possess cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders, building strong relationships.
• Ability to perform tasks both collaboratively and independently.
• Demonstrates concern for patients of all ages, visitors, and co-workers.
• Maintains confidentiality of information and privacy compliance.

Physical Requirements:

Medium Duty: exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally or 10 to 15 pounds of force frequently or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects (based on U.S. Department of Labor data). The following physical activities are required to perform this job:

Occasionally (up to 33% of work time): Standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, kneeling, crouching, smelling, color vision.

Frequently (34-66% of work time): Walking, carrying, stooping, reaching, handling, fingering, talking, hearing, near acuity vision.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Associate degree, completion of a NCCLS/ABHES-accredited MLT program

OR

• Bachelors degree, completion of a NCCLS/ABHES-accredited MLS program

Licenses / Certifications:

• Current certification with ASCP or AMT.

Preferred 3-5 or more years of clinical laboratory experience, with a strong focus on high-complexity testing and demonstrated leadership experience.

Pay or shift range: $24.08 USD to $44.34 USD

Astera Health is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, promotions, or any other condition of employment or career development.