Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist

Fairview Health Services is looking for a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist for the Cell Therapy Laboratory at University of Minnesota Medical Center. This is a fulltime position. The hours include Monday through Friday (weekends as needed); working 08:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (8 hour shifts) or9:30am 6:00pm.

The UMMC Cell Therapy Laboratory is a cell engineering laboratory that provides hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and other hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cell types derived from a variety of sources [bone marrow, peripheral blood, umbilical cord blood (UCB) and various tissues] for hematopoietic reconstitution and novel somatic cellular therapies.

The laboratory processes over 1000 cellular products, including 700 autologous, allogeneic-related and allogeneic-unrelated peripheral blood, UCB, bone marrow, and tissue products annually in support of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.

The laboratory is staffed with medical laboratory scientists and lead technologists and is a valuable resource for clinical protocols and translational development of novel, complex cellular engineering methods. The laboratory annually processes over 1000 cellular products, andoperates 24 hours a day.

The laboratory operates 24 hours a day and the main processing space occupies 3,600 sq ft within the MCT building. The laboratory is comprised of three main cell processing rooms, four individual pass-through rooms, a supply and material storage room, a liquid nitrogen storage tank, and a dedicated loading dock.

Accreditations: The UMMC Clinical Cell Therapy Laboratory is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) approved and accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), College of American Pathologists (CAP), and AABB.

We offer competitive Benefits , including Tuition Assistance and Reimbursement.

The Medical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist (MLS/MT) functions independently in performing all major work responsibilities of professional laboratory practice. A MLS/MT performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic and therapeutic testing, and acts as a resource for problem resolution and interpretation of results. The MLS/MT correlates data based on clinical knowledge, technical expertise, and other conditions affecting test results. The MLS/MT collaborates with the customers of the laboratory to promote customer satisfaction. The MLS/MT participates in laboratory performance improvement activities.

Technical Duties:

• Performs cell and tissue processing procedures necessary to prepare products for transplantation, adoptive immunotherapies and other somatic cell/tissue therapies. Processes include: positive and negative cell enrichment, buffy coat cell preparation, cryopreservation, thawing and product preparation for infusion, and quality control testing.
• Ability to operate a variety of laboratory instrumentation including but not limited to: centrifuges, cell washers, white cell enrichment, cell analyzer, microscopes, and liquid nitrogen controlled rate freezer.
• Perform database and cell processing entry using Access, Excel, commercial software systems and hospital lab systems.
• Perform analytical hematology, blood typing, cell typing, cell culture assay on cell products.
• Performing and prepare all documentation (SOPs, forms, etc) for practice production runs, validation and clinical production
• Functions independently in performing all major work responsibilities of professional laboratory practice
• Completes specified maintenance on instruments.

Quality Control/Quality Assurance:

• Responsible for quality control monitoring for processes and equipment.
• Complies with all standard operation procedures and policies.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives.
• Takes appropriate action upon identifying abnormal, discrepant, or unexpected results. Directly communicates and documents abnormal and critical results.
• Recognizes and communicates values and trends that exceed the QC decision levels. Takes action to resolve and consults with supervisor as needed.
• Documents compliance with lab and facility policies and procedures
• Complies with regulations of governmental or voluntary regulatory agencies
• Collaborates with the customers to promote customer satisfaction.

• Team player
• Flexible in work hours
• Able to work independently
• Acts as a resource for problem solving, corrective action and troubleshooting for lab procedures and unexpected events in lab operations
• Initiates proper safety or emergency responses.
• Exercises critical thinking to maintain and improve department productivity and efficiencies

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors in a related laboratory field including the related lab practicum or equivalent routes as specified in CLIA 88.
• Possess or be eligible to receive appropriate HHS approved laboratory certification (ASCP, NCA, or AMT). If not certified, must obtain certification within 1 year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer BS in Medical Laboratory Science or Medical Technology