Lab Technical Specialist

Emory Medical Laboratory's mission is to transform health and healing by providing high quality, cost-effective, innovative laboratory services which enhance patient health. We're seeking an experienced Lab Technical Specialist with a Core Lab background.

Shift: 6am - 2:30pm, rotation every 3rd weekend

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• Comprehensive health benefits that start day one
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• Family-focused benefits
• Wellness incentives
• Ongoing mentorship and leadership programs
• And more!

The Technical Specialist is a highly skilled and experienced medical laboratory professional who serves as a technical authority and subject matter expert (SME) within a defined specialty or laboratory service area. This role bridges the gap between bench technicians and laboratory management, focusing on validating new methods, equipment validation and maintenance, and ensuring regulatory compliance. As an advanced medical lab professional, support a specific laboratory discipline training or quality program. Responsible for technical operations, complex troubleshooting, quality control (QC), and assurance. Depending on the area of specialization and role, may develop and validate new laboratory methods, design and manage didactic and clinical curriculum, oversee process improvement projects, analyze and adjust quality control. Collaborates with other healthcare professionals including providers and vendors to enhance diagnostic capabilities and quality improvements to positively impact patient outcomes.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

Operational Work

1. Problem Solving - Serves as the key expert and operator who solves problems that technicians cannot.
2. Quality Assurance & Control - Monitors quality control data, ensures compliance with accrediting standards (CAP, ISO), and reviews test results for accuracy.
3. Specialized Analysis - Serving as the go-to person for complex, rare, or esoteric test results and validations.
4. Technical Expertise & Troubleshooting - Provides expert-level analysis of complex tests, troubleshooting issues with instruments, reagents, and methodologies. Troubleshooting complex equipment failures and managing quality control corrections.
5. Method Validation & Development - Evaluates new laboratory procedures, validates new instrumentation, and updates Standard Operating Procedures editing and maintaining updated SOPs for technical procedures. Performing validations on new, complex laboratory instruments or protocols.
6. Training & Education - Mentors and trains lab staff, medical technology students, and residents on new methods and theory. Signing off on competencies for lab staff to ensure regulatory compliance.
7. Operational Support - Coordinates with vendors for repairs, maintains inventory, and assists section managers with workflow management.

Knowledge

1. Expert level knowledge of all aspects of related specialty.
2. Expert in laboratory regulations, accreditation standards, and specialized test methods.
3. Extensive knowledge of education, training requirements for positions within a training program.
4. May be lead in self-inspections or in inspecting other organizations.
5. May serve as section super user, subject matter expert for the laboratory information system and assist in software testing.
6. May be responsible for resolution of instrument and hardware troubleshooting, maintenance, validity of test results and non-conformance events.

Complexity

1. Handles complex laboratory operations including developing new testing methods, ensuring adherence to regulations, participate in quality assurance programs, process improvement projects, and managing training programs.
2. May compile and evaluate data, perform statistical analyses, and may own policies and procedures.

Autonomy

1. Exhibits near full autonomy regarding laboratory operations and technology integration.
2. With minimal oversight, leads initiatives and takes responsibility for the outcome.

Interaction

1. Collaborate with vendors, IT, clinical partners, and interdisciplinary teams, senior management and external regulatory agencies to optimize workflows, improve turnaround time, and enhance patient safety.

Additional Duties as Assigned.

Travel: None.

Work Type: Onsite 100% of time.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Bachelors degree in Clinical Laboratory Science or Medical Technology, or a chemical, physical, or biological science.
  • Other bachelors degrees will be accepted if graduated from an accredited school and science and math coursework meets requirements of certifying agency.
  • Bachelors degree may be waived for a medical technologist who was ASCP certified in the years prior to the bachelors degree requirement by ASCP and a HEW/HHS technologist certified by Health and Human Services.
• Experience:
  • Two (2) years of related laboratory specialty experience required, in a hospital clinical laboratory or relevant sub-specialty.
• Certification:
  • Certified by one of the following accreditation agencies: MT (ASCP), MLS (ASCP), MT (AMT), MT (HHS or HEW), MT (AAB), generalist.
  • A categorical certification may be considered in lieu of a generalist certification, if it covers the work being performed.
  • Promotion criteria review and approval required.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities (required):
  • Analytical thinking: Ability to interpret complex data.
  • Instrument Troubleshooting: Expertise in maintaining and repairing complex laboratory instrumentation.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of lab safety protocols and accreditation requirements.
  •  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience:
  • Three (3) years of clinical laboratory experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: (Medium Max 25lbs): up to 25 lbs., 0-33% of the workday (occasionally) Lifting 25 lbs. max; Carrying of objects up to 25 lbs.; Occasional to frequent standing & walking, Occasional sitting, Close eye work (computers, typing, reading, writing), Physical demands may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: Factors affecting environmental conditions may vary depending on the assigned work area and tasks. Environmental exposures include but are not limited to: Blood-borne pathogen exposure, Bio-hazardous waste chemicals/gases/fumes/vapors, Communicable diseases, Electrical shock, Floor Surfaces, Hot/Cold Temperatures, Indoor/Outdoor conditions, Latex, Lighting, Patient care/handling injuries, Radiation, Shift work, Travel may be required. Use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and environmental conditions may vary depending on assigned work area and work tasks.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

Emory Healthcare is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Emory Healthcare’s Human Resources at [email protected]. Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.