Laboratory Instrument Specialist

Scope:

The Laboratory Instrument Specialist is a position responsible for assisting the Laboratory in maintaining maintenance, testing, and documentation of laboratory equipment used for routine clinical testing. This position works with laboratory management and laboratory personnel to schedule and coordinate preventative maintenance with equipment manufacturers, perform post maintenance qualification testing, complete routine regulatory equipment related testing, and ensure qualification testing meets specifications, and all that documentation is equipment documentation is maintained.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Laboratory Equipment:

· Schedules and coordinates with equipment vendors, laboratory management and laboratory personnel annual/bi-annual preventative maintenance for laboratory instrumentation as recommended by instrument manufacturers.

· Completes routine equipment maintenance, qualification testing and post-service testing on all laboratory instrumentation used for routine clinical testing.

· Maintains laboratory equipment records including the laboratory equipment log, instrument service reports, and internal qualification and post-service testing reports.

· Knowledge of laboratory instrumentation and SOPs for all laboratory equipment used for routine clinical testing.

· Ensures all on instrument documentation is up to date with current preventative maintenance or qualification testing dates.

· Assists laboratory management with developing and creating SOPs for all new equipment acquired for routine clinical testing.

· Manages, maintains, and updated laboratory equipment electrical mapping of laboratory in conjunction with IT team.

· Troubleshoots all equipment issues, sends instrumentation for repair as needed, completes qualification/post service testing and qualification/post service testing write-ups.

· Works in conjunction with laboratory management and laboratory personnel to coordinate troubleshooting of equipment issues.

· Works with equipment vendors on troubleshooting.

· Assists/collaborates with laboratory management, other departments as needed in testing, validation, and training of laboratory personnel on new equipment,

· Assists with writing and maintaining of laboratory equipment SOPs.

· Works in conjunction with laboratory Quality department and laboratory management to schedule and complete proficiency testing items: Instrument to Instrument, Driftcon, all well testing, and carry over assessment.

· Self-starter with the ability to work independently

General

· Performs all duties in compliance w/ laboratory safety & infection control practices.

· Participates in the maintenance of the lab’s Quality Management System and quality control program regarding all aspects of laboratory operations, ensuring the integrity of analytical testing and results. This includes preparing and updating SOPs, use of appropriate controls and QA of results, as assigned.

· Handles special projects and other tasks as assigned.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

· Strong ability to work independently and part of a team.

· Demonstrated ability to write and maintain lab processes in line with regulatory compliance.

· Demonstrated ability to perform essential scientific, regulatory, and administrative lab functions.

· Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with demonstrated ability to write and summarize laboratory information, reports, and processes.

· Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate, provide guidance and leadership.

· Experienced user of relevant computer programs including MS Word, Excel, Access, LIMs systems and specialized laboratory instrumentation and software.

· Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Education and/or Experience:

· Have bachelor's degree in medical technology OR a chemical, physical or biological science from an accredited institution plus one year of experience in and/or molecular testing AND

· Have at least 2 years of clinical laboratory training or experience

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

MT or MLT (ASCP) preferred

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work may require sitting for long periods of time; also stooping, bending and stretching for files and supplies. Work may require using stairs to access other departments when necessary. Occasionally lifting files or paper weighing up to 30 pounds. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, operate a calculator, telephone, copier and other such office equipment. It is necessary to view and type on computer screens for prolonged periods of time.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in an office environment.