Schedule: Monday-Friday 0600-1430 with holidays, on-call and other shifts as needed

Location/Dept.: Woodward/HLA Renal

Salary/Hourly: Hourly Position

Are you a Med Tech seeking to create a positive and tangible change in patients’ lives? Are you motivated to pair your creative thinking with clinical work in order to explore ideas that could attract national attention? Apply now for this unique opportunity to join a team that’s directly involved in the full-cycle process of kidney and pancreas transplant.

The HLA and Renal Transplant Lab at Tricore Reference Laboratories is the only histocompatibility laboratory program in New Mexico, serving two transplant programs and the OPO (Organ Procurement Organization). Our HLA laboratory is structured in a way that enables technologists to cross train in all testing for solid organ transplant. TriCore supports the work up for kidney/pancreas transplants and performs post-transplant monitoring; also HLA disease association testing, and high resolution typing to support stem cell transplant for New Mexicans.

This position performs designated procedures as described in the HLA procedure manuals with quality and timeliness consistent with the expectations of clients, physicians, and direct supervisor. You will utilize your molecular skills in the context of HLA, and be challenged by high complexity testing and problem solving. You will collaborate with a team and the community to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

This position has required critical Renal Transplant on call responsibilities. Within the first year, after exhibiting adequate performance of specific HLA tests and tasks with approval from the leadership team, you will be added to the required Renal Transplant On-Call schedule and be eligible for the Renal Transplant Pay compensation.

Job Summary: Under general supervision, performs waived, moderate or high complexity laboratory tests for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of disease. Performs maintenance, basic troubleshooting and repairs of laboratory equipment. Runs and evaluates quality control testing to ensure equipment is functional prior to patient testing. May assist with the implementation and oversight of waived point of care testing. Staff in this job description meet the qualifications for designation as “Testing Personnel” for moderate and high complexity testing under CLIA regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Performs/results and documents clinical laboratory testing exercising independent judgment and responsibility.

2. Notes abnormal patient results and informs supervisor, pathologist, or principal investigator as appropriate.

3. Operates laboratory equipment, interfaces and instruments, performs and documents basic maintenance procedures.

4. Performs routine logging for QC/QA purposes. Collects and compiles QA data as directed. Monitors QC for trends and takes and documents corrective action as needed or directed.

5. Performs troubleshooting procedures. Identifies testing problems and recommends appropriate solutions using defined guidelines.

6. Actively participates in regulatory inspections.

7. Takes inventory as needed or appropriate. Orders supplies for the Section/Department as directed.

8. Assists with training of new staff and/or students.

9. Serves as a liaison with internal and external customers/employees/clients.

10. Depending on the site or department, may participate in the POCT oversight program including but not limited to;

a) training lab and non-lab personnel in the use of waived testing.

b) Troubleshoot the performance of waived testing, including IT connectivity issues.

c) Review the quality performance of waived testing.

d) Participate in the implementation, including validation, if necessary, of waived testing.

11. Depending on the site or department, may collect specimens such as blood, urine, sputum and other body fluids and prepare for analysis.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Minimum Qualifications:

Selected candidates for the TriCore Laboratory Scientist position will be placed into LS I, LS II, LS III, or LS IV based on education and experience as follows:

Laboratory Scientist I:

Must meet one of the following per CLIA regulations:
• Bachelor’s degree in biological, or chemical science from an accredited institution. Note- Candidate may qualify with a Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences through December 31, 2024, or
• Associate’s degree in laboratory science (biology or chemistry) or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution, or
• Have education and training equivalent to an associate degree in a laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution that includes -
At least 60 semester hours, or equivalent, from an accredited institution that, at a minimum, include either:
(1) 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses; or
(2) 24 semester hours of science courses that include -
(i) Six semester hours of chemistry.
(ii) Six semester hours of biology; and
(iii) Twelve semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination, or
• Have previously qualified or could have qualified as a technologist under CLIA regulations on or before February 28, 1992

No experience required.

Laboratory Scientist II:

Must meet one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited Institution. No experience required, or

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, or chemistry science from an accredited institution AND two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience, Note: bachelor’s degree in physical science acceptable if completed prior to December 31, 2024, or

• Associate’s degree in laboratory science (biology or chemistry) or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution AND two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience, or • Two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience AND have education and training equivalent to an associate degree in a laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution that includes -

At least 60 semester hours, or equivalent, from an accredited institution that, at a minimum, include either -

(1) 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses; or

(2) 24 semester hours of science courses that include -

(i) Six semester hours of chemistry.

(ii) Six semester hours of biology; and

(iii) Twelve semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination, or

• Two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience AND have previously qualified or could have qualified as a technologist under CLIA regulations on or before February 28, 1992, or

• Successful completion of a U.S. military medical laboratory training course AND bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry AND one year of direct clinical laboratory testing experience.

Laboratory Scientist III:

Must meet one of the following:

• Two years of Laboratory Scientist II at TriCore, or

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, or chemistry science from an accredited institution AND four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience, Note bachelor’s degree in physical science is acceptable if completed prior to December 31, 2024 or

• Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited Institution, AND two years’ direct clinical laboratory experience, or

• Successful completion of a U.S. military medical laboratory training course AND bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry AND three years of direct clinical laboratory testing experience, or

• Associate’s degree in laboratory science (biology or chemistry) or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution AND four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience, or •

Four year’s direct clinical laboratory experience AND have education and training equivalent to an associate degree in a laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution that includes -

At least 60 semester hours, or equivalent, from an accredited institution that, at a minimum, include either -

(1) 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses; or

(2) 24 semester hours of science courses that include -

(i) Six semester hours of chemistry.

(ii) Six semester hours of biology; and

(iii) Twelve semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination, or

• Four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience AND have previously qualified or could have qualified as a technologist under CLIA regulations on or before February 28, 1992

Laboratory Scientist IV:

Must meet one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited Institution, AND four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience, or

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, or chemistry science from an accredited institution AND four years’ direct clinical laboratory experience.

PREFERENCES*: ASCP or AMT certification as a BB, C, CG, H, M, MB, MLT, MLS, SBB, SC, SCYM, SH, SM, or SMB, or ADLM Certification in POCT, or ACHI certification as CHA,CHT or CHS, or NRCC Certification as a Toxicological Chemist or Toxicological Technologist

- Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology or Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
- Bachelor’s degree in a chemical, physical or biological science
- Bachelor’s degree that includes: 24 semester hours of science courses that include (i) Six semester hours of chemistry; (ii) Six semester hours of biology; and (iii) Twelve semester hours of chemistry, biology or medical laboratory technology in any combination and at least three months of documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing.

*Certification required for LS IV placement

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS: Prove immunity to Hepatitis B or be immunized or sign a waiver refusing hepatitis immunization. Provide documentation of a tuberculosis (TB) test conducted not more than 90 days prior to date of hire or have a TB test conducted.

IN DEPARTMENTS/LOCATIONS WITH DIRECT PATIENT CONTACT: Prove immunity or be eligible to receive rubella, rubeola and varicella immunization.

TriCore is New Mexico’s largest laboratory, employing more than 1,400 individuals who serve in a broad range of positions. We are dedicated to improving the quality of care for our communities, and also our employees. We foster a culture of integrity, are dedicated to excellence, and are looking for passionate individuals with a desire to have an impact in patient care, the core of our strategy. We offer excellent benefits including, medical, dental, vision and life insurances, 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching, PTO, and paid holidays, as well as opportunities for continuous learning, education assistance, wellness programs, career advancement, and the ability to share in our genuine commitment to the health of our communities. We offer a variety of shifts at multiple locations.