Job Description
Astera Health has a Medical Lab Technician (MLT) or Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) Chemistry Lead opening at the Wadena campus. This position is full-time position, scheduled at 80 hours bi-weekly with the option to work 8 or 10 hour shifts. This position's shift varies with both days and evenings; with rotating every fourth weekend and holidays overnight. Astera Health offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and retirement. We also support work-life balance through benefits such as paid time off, and long-term disability and our employee wellness initiative. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Assists in reporting performance improvement activities within the department and interdepartmentally. Maintains compliance with established policies and procedures for safety and infection control to ensure the well-being of patient, family, and staff, i.e., patient safety, fire, disaster and isolation. Participates in routine laboratory work using personal protective equipment and abides by established safety/hazardous/infection control policies set forth—reports incidents as necessary. Performs phlebotomy and ECGs using personal protective equipment, safety devices, and standard precautions. Always follow proper patient identification. Proficient in microscopic techniques to perform urinalysis, hematology, and bacteriology procedures. Performs preventative maintenance in assigned areas to ensure equipment operates at optimal performance and demonstrates a strong understanding of quality control principles while adhering to established guidelines. Maintains compliance with established standards, i.e., federal, state, CAP, Joint Commission, and local regulatory agencies. Maintains effective working relationships with all Astera Health staff and providers, serving as a liaison for the laboratory manager and/or laboratory director. Proactively addresses issues and ensures clear, timely communication. Assists in the clinical internship for MLT and phlebotomy students. Assists with the investigation and follow-up of complaints or concerns from patients, families, staff, or providers, including implementing corrective actions when necessary. Assists in maintaining adequate general inventory for patient care needs. Recognizes and performs duties that need to be performed although not directly assigned. Demonstrates the ability to help others in the department and still complete tasks. Assist in the orientation and onboarding of new laboratory team members. All other duties, assignments and projects are subject to change or alteration. Chemistry Lead Responsibilities: Oversee Chemistry department quality control and preventative maintenance on all testing platforms to ensure compliance with CAP and other regulatory standards. Operate, calibrate, perform maintenance and troubleshoot all Chemistry platforms. Participate in validation, verification, and correlation of new equipment or laboratory methos along with required intervals of current testing per CAP standards. Manage inventory and procurement of all Chemistry department supplies, ensuring sufficient stock levels to support daily operations while maintaining strong financial stewardship and cost efficiency. Directly prepares for, participates in, and maintains compliance with established standards, i.e., federal, state, CAP, Joint commission, MDH and local regularity agencies. Involved with review of CAP and JC regulations annually to ensure compliance. Participate in biennial CAP inspections and internal self-inspections of the Chemistry department, as well as perform peer inspections as assigned by the laboratory manager. Serves as the Chemistry subject matter expert, acting as the primary resource for technical questions and guidance for laboratory staff, providers, patients, clients, and inspectors. Continue to research new testing and analyzer platforms. Manage bringing on new testing and attend training as requested by lab manager. Follow up on any instrument customer support inquiries and repairs to ensure accurate and quality laboratory results. Write, review, and maintain all associated Chemistry departmental policies. Ensure binders, tip sheets and tools used in the department are current. Designee for competency sign off. Directly involved with new employee/student training. Provide Chemistry departmental updates and communications as needed to the laboratory staff, providers, patients, and clients. Maintains current knowledge of new laboratory procedures, products, and equipment to serve as a technical resource and provide expert clinical guidance. Oversee and review all Chemist