Community Health Systems

Operates acute care hospitals nationwide

Lead Microbiologist

Diagnostics & Laboratory ProfessionalsPosted on Nov 10

Full-timeFort Wayne, IN, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Chemical Science, Physical Science, Biological Science, or Clinical Laboratory Science is required.
Two to four years of experience as a Medical Technologist in a clinical laboratory setting is required.
Proficiency in laboratory methodologies, instrument troubleshooting, and workflow optimization is required.
A strong understanding of quality control, proficiency testing, and regulatory compliance requirements, including CAP, CLIA, and Joint Commission, is required.
Ability to train and mentor staff, conduct competency evaluations, and ensure adherence to best practices is required.
Problem-solving and decision-making skills to identify and resolve laboratory issues promptly are required.
Knowledge of laboratory information systems and electronic medical record software is required.
MLS Medical Lab Scientist certification (formerly MT certification) through ASCP, AAB, AMT, or an equivalent certification agency is required.
A state license is required where applicable.

Responsibilities

Perform, verify, and report moderate- and high-complexity laboratory tests, ensuring timely, accurate, and reliable results in compliance with CLIA, CAP, and other regulatory standards.
Oversee daily laboratory operations, including workflow management, supply inventory, and staffing coordination, to ensure efficient and uninterrupted service.
Monitor quality control measures, troubleshoot discrepancies, and ensure proficiency testing is performed and reported within required timeframes.
Conduct competency assessments for laboratory staff and provide ongoing training, mentorship, and performance evaluations in alignment with laboratory and hospital policies.
Ensure laboratory equipment is properly maintained according to manufacturer guidelines, troubleshoot malfunctions, and escalate issues to the Administrative Lab Director as necessary.
Oversee compliance with safety regulations, including proper use of personal protective equipment, infection control protocols, and the laboratory safety plan.
Serve as a liaison between laboratory administration, supervisors, and staff, communicating instrument malfunctions, quality control issues, unusual patient results, and regulatory updates.
Support accreditation readiness by assisting with data collection, audits, and documentation for regulatory inspections, including CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission, and OSHA.
Maintain and update the Laboratory Information System, ensuring proper test entry, results reporting, and compliance with hospital and laboratory informatics policies.
Assist with phlebotomy and specimen collection as needed, ensuring proper patient identification, sample integrity, and compliance with collection protocols.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
Comply with all policies and standards.

Desired Qualifications

Zero to two years of previous leadership, training, or quality management experience within a laboratory environment is preferred.
Additional certification in specialized laboratory areas, such as microbiology, hematology, or blood bank, is preferred.

Job Summary

The Medical Technologist Lead is responsible for coordinating, overseeing and ensuring quality laboratory operations within an assigned section of the laboratory. This role oversees testing accuracy, quality control, regulatory compliance, equipment maintenance, training, and staff competency assessments. The Medical Technologist Lead also serves as a technical resource, ensuring compliance with hospital policies, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements while performing laboratory testing as needed.

Essential Functions

Performs, verifies, and reports moderate and high-complexity laboratory tests, ensuring timely, accurate, and reliable results in compliance with CLIA, CAP, and other regulatory standards.
Oversees daily laboratory operations, including workflow management, supply inventory, and staffing coordination, to ensure efficient and uninterrupted service.
Monitors quality control (QC) measures, troubleshoots discrepancies, and ensures all proficiency testing is performed and reported within required timeframes.
Conducts competency assessments for laboratory staff, providing ongoing training, mentorship, and performance evaluations in alignment with laboratory and hospital policies.
Ensures all laboratory equipment is properly maintained, following manufacturer guidelines, troubleshooting malfunctions, and escalating issues to the Administrative Lab Director as necessary.
Oversees compliance with safety regulations, ensuring proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), adherence to infection control protocols, and compliance with the laboratory safety plan.
Acts as a liaison between laboratory administration, supervisors, and staff, effectively communicating instrument malfunctions, QC issues, unusual patient results, and regulatory updates.
Supports accreditation readiness efforts, assisting with data collection, audits, and documentation for regulatory inspections, including CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission, and OSHA.
Maintains and updates the Laboratory Information System (LIS), ensuring proper test entry, results reporting, and compliance with hospital and laboratory informatics policies.
Assists with phlebotomy and specimen collection as needed, ensuring proper patient identification, sample integrity, and compliance with collection protocols.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Medical Technology or, Chemical, Physical, Biological, or Clinical Laboratory Science required
2-4 years of experience as a Medical Technologist in a clinical laboratory setting required
0-2 years Previous experience in leadership, training, or quality management within a laboratory environment preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Proficiency in laboratory methodologies, instrument troubleshooting, and workflow optimization.
Strong understanding of quality control, proficiency testing, and regulatory compliance requirements (CAP, CLIA, Joint Commission).
Ability to train and mentor staff, conducting competency evaluations and ensuring adherence to best practices.
Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills to identify and resolve laboratory issues promptly.
Strong organizational and communication skills, ensuring clear and accurate reporting of laboratory data.
Knowledge of laboratory information systems (LIS) and electronic medical record (EMR) software.

Licenses and Certifications

MLS - Medical Lab Scientist (Formally MT Certification) through ASCP, AAB, AMT or equivalent certification agency required
State license where applicable required and
Additional certification in specialized laboratory areas (e.g., microbiology, hematology, blood bank) preferred

About the Company

Community Health Systems

Operates acute care hospitals nationwide

Community Health Systems operates general acute care hospitals across 14 states, owning or leasing 71 facilities to deliver healthcare outside urban centers. Its main business is running hospital networks and providing medical and surgical services to patients, funded by payments from patients, insurers, and government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The company also offers management services to its affiliates through a professional services corporation. Its workflow centers on developing and operating healthcare delivery systems, supporting a wide range of needs from emergency care to specialized treatments. The goal is to help people get well and live healthier by providing accessible non-urban and suburban hospital-based care while navigating a regulated, competitive US healthcare market.

Company size: 5,001-10,000
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Franklin, TN
Founded: 1985

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