Technologist I

Bloodworks NW • Renton, WA

1d

About The Position

Formerly Puget Sound Blood Center and Lane Blood Center, Bloodworks is backed by more than 70 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. A national leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks has been chosen to serve more than 90 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska – partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research. We are local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based.
We have an excellent opportunity for a Technologist I in the Donor Testing department at Bloodworks Northwest. The incumbent in this role will perform, review, and interpret laboratory tests in accordance with regulatory and test manufacturer requirements and Standard Operating Procedures, prepare licensed blood products for transfusion, and provide test results for organ/tissue transplantation. Career progression is available in this role.

Requirements

• Must qualify as Testing Personnel, High Complexity Testing, under CLIA personnel requirements found in Subpart M of the Code of Federal Regulations. This typically requires a Bachelor's degree in chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science.
• MT(ASCP) or equivalent certification; or Bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science, or in medical technology preferred.
• 1 year of previous lab experience preferred.
• Proficient in at least two of the testing benches after six months of employment.
• Requires the Ability to comprehend the criticality of the testing being performed, as it relates to the blood components being prepared for transfusion, or organs being transplanted. Includes a fundamental understanding of the financial value of the testing reagents, blood components being prepared, and the necessity to follow all regulatory rules and regulations (AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, and State), including the FDA's "Good Manufacturing Practices".
• Demonstrated Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• This is a highly regulated position and is subject to meeting various rules and regulations from regulatory agencies and accrediting bodies. These may include, but are not limited to, the FDA, AABB, CLIA, and CAP.
• This position requires the incumbent to have the Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and overtime, as well as the Ability to take on-call responsibility as assigned.
• Work is conducted in a moderately noisy, high-volume production environment.
• Extensive computer work, including viewing the computer display, is a continuous job condition encountered in the performance of this job.
• Constant standing is a frequent job condition encountered in the performance of this job.
• Extensive close work is an occasional job condition encountered in the performance of this job.
• As this is an essential position with direct responsibility to patients, the incumbent should be prepared to work extended and/or consecutive shifts and/or possibly at a different location during periods of inclement weather or emergency operations. Refer to Human Resources policy or department supervisors for more information.
• This position involves direct exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Responsibilities

• Prepare reagents for daily testing, review routine maintenance records for completeness, and verify QC results before starting daily testing operations.
• Perform, interpret, and review required laboratory testing results (used to determine the suitability of licensed blood products for transfusion, and organ/stem cells for transplantation) on donor and non-donor samples, according to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Perform testing using a variety of lab equipment associated with specific testing benches.
• Perform a final review of other technologists' testing records for accuracy, completeness, run validity, and adherence to SOP, before posting results in the Laboratory Information System(s).
• Manage test reagents to minimize waste, loss, test failures, and financial losses from all of these sources.
• Perform basic troubleshooting of instruments, reagents, or other testing problems for the testing benches that the incumbent is trained in.
• Operate computer systems relevant to the work performed in the department at this level, including Surround, BBCS, PC applications, Reliance ETQ, and REES.
• Perform routine maintenance on a variety of laboratory equipment.
• Locate test-positive samples and forward them for retesting and/or confirmatory testing.
• Take active responsibility for maintaining competency in training areas by regularly performing testing at the required frequency. Takes initiative to complete annual competency assessments on time.
• Report and document occurrences involving unusual circumstances or process/equipment failures, taking equipment "out of service" as necessary. Report such incidents to a Donor Testing Senior Technologist, Technical Specialist, or Supervisor.
• Perform routine lab cleaning, manage bio-hazardous waste appropriately, and follow bio-hazard safety standards for handling blood.

Benefits

• Employees regularly scheduled for 24+ hours per week are covered by medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with family coverage also available.
• Also able to participate in retirement plans (401a & 403b), consolidated paid leave program (4.8 – 6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service), subsidized transit program, and educational reimbursement.
• Candidates hired from outside of our service area may be eligible for a relocation assistance bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level