Medical Laboratory Scientist

Position Overview:

The Medical Laboratory Scientist performs a wide range of chemical, hematologic, microscopic, and serological tests on patient specimens to assist in diagnosing and treating disease. Responsibilities include receiving and processing test orders, collecting specimens using established protocols, and ensuring accuracy and compliance in all laboratory processes. The Medical Laboratory Scientist adheres to Quality Control and Quality Assurance standards and follows all regulatory and safety requirements.

Compensation is commensurate upon education, experience, certification, and internal equity. Hiring compensation range starts from $28.67 /hour.

The Perks and Benefits:

• Collaborative environment: Work alongside dedicated healthcare professionals who share a passion for delivering high-quality care.
• Professional development: We offer ongoing training and opportunities for career advancement, including tuition reimbursement and participation in our progressive Career Pathways Program.
• Impactful work: Help ensure patient safety and contribute directly to positive patient outcomes in our community.
• Location perks: Boone, North Carolina, located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, offers exceptional outdoor activities like biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and more. Enjoy great shopping, fine dining, breweries, wineries, and cultural attractions in Boone, Blowing Rock, and Linville.
• Top-tier community: Boone boasts a top-rated North Carolina public school system and is home to Appalachian State University. Recognized as a top destination by Forbes, Southern Living, and Niche, Boone is ideal for families, professionals, and retirees alike.
• Compensation is commensurate upon education & experience - range is $28.67 /hour or more (depending on education & experience). Benefits begin the first of the month following 60 days of employment from the new hire orientation date. This position is a non-exempt position.
• Comprehensive benefits package to include health, dental, and vision insurance as well as HSA.
• Supplemental insurance to include short and long-term disability insurance, accidental insurance, life insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, critical illness insurance, identity theft protection, legal insurance, etc.
• Student loan refinancing benefit and college savings fund as well as tuition reimbursement for qualifying employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Paid time off - front-loaded for the first year for qualifying part-time and full-time employees (amount based on status and FTE at the time of hire) - paid time off accrual begins following the first year of employment. Cash out option also available for qualifying employees by meeting specified criteria.
• Paid parental leave - qualifying employees are eligible to use two (2) weeks of paid parental leave anytime during the first six (6) months following the birth or adoption of a child - to be taken consecutively.
• Employee wellness program - Love Your Life - award-winning voluntary wellness program available for UNC Health Appalachian employees.
• Employee to Employee (E2E) program - Caring for our own.
• Additional employee perks include discounted rates for Dollywood, Biltmore, Tweetsie Railroad, etc. (subject to change).

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform chemical, hematologic, microscopic, and serological tests on patient specimens.

• Collect, label, and store specimens following established laboratory protocols.

• Conduct phlebotomy and operate manual and automated instruments for testing.

• Maintain compliance with Quality Control and Quality Assurance policies.

• Accurately record and communicate test results to providers and nursing units.

• Support safe laboratory practices and adhere to all safety and regulatory standards.

• Provide professional communication and collaboration with patients, staff, and interdisciplinary teams.

Position Requirements:

Minimum Education:

• Graduation from an accredited school of medical technology or a combination of coursework in chemistry, biology, and microbiology sufficient to achieve certification by an accredited agency.

Experience:

• Experience gained through an accredited Med Tech or university training program.

• Previous experience as a Medical Technologist preferred.

Required Registration/License/Certification:

• MLT certification through an accredited testing agency is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Effective communication with patients, families, and team members.

• Competence in processing specimens safely and accurately.

• General knowledge of all laboratory sections sufficient to perform duties under policy guidelines.

• Strong attention to detail and adherence to safety and compliance standards.

• Commitment to exceptional customer service.

Physical Demands:

• Lifts, positions, pushes, pulls, and/or transfers up to and greater than 50 pounds
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Prolonged, extensive or considerable sitting/standing/walking
• Bending, squatting, twisting, and turning
• Near acuity: ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to access all areas of the hospital, must be able to access patients in their beds for the purpose of collecting specimens of various types; must be able to reach all storage areas in the lab. Manual dexterity sufficient to utilize all laboratory equipment including microscopes, centrifuges, various analyzers; visual acuity sufficient to read procedure manuals, interpret various reactions as to color and intensity, with or without visual aids; auditory acuity sufficient to hear telephone, timer, warning signals, and conversation, with or without hearing aids. Must be able to lift and move supplies from one area to another.
• Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases
• Frequently exposed to hazards from electrical/mechanical/power equipment, odorous chemicals, and specimens and unpleasant elements (accident, injury, slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces), etc.
• Subject to irregular hours (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) and emergencies
• Continuous standing and walking long periods = to or greater than > 8 hours per shift
• Speaking, reading, and writing, expanded > 8 hours per day
• Exposed to vibration and cramped spaces > 1-hour day
• Frequently per shift lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls > 50 lbs.
• Frequently per hour: bends, squats, kneels, twists, turns, and reaches
• Frequently per minute: hand, finger, and wrist repetition and moderate dexterity
• Frequently per hour: exposed to soft voices > 3 feet away
• Frequently per hour: exposed to close eye work
• Frequently exposed to Ionizing/nonionizing radiation exposure, including x-ray and microwave
• Frequently exposed to chemicals and reagents used in the processing of laboratory specimens

About UNC Health Appalachian It's official - UNC Health Appalachian earned an "A" in the fall 2023 Leapfrog Patient Safety Grades! UNC Health Appalachian, the leader for healthcare in the High Country, comprises three hospitals, 13 medical practices, Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, The Rehabilitation Center, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation. UNC Health Appalachian stays committed to promoting health in the High Country, enhancing quality of life, and simply “making life better.”

About UNC Health UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 14 hospitals, 18 hospital campuses and more than 500 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. Over the past three years, UNC Health has provided more than $400 million in uncompensated or charity care to the citizens of North Carolina. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org .

UNC Health Appalachian embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We value a workforce that reflects a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, as it enhances our ability to provide outstanding care. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to providing a fair and inclusive hiring process and a workplace where all team members feel respected and empowered. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us.

Employment at UNC Health Appalachian is contingent upon successful completion of a background and drug screen. For accommodations or additional information, contact ... .