Technologist I

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 a wonderful 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 by regulatory and test manufacturer requirements and Standard Operating Procedures, to prepare licensed blood products for transfusion and provide test results for organ/tissue transplantation.  Career progression is available in this role.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare reagents for daily testing, review routine maintenance records for completeness, and verify QC results before the startup of 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 to maintain competency in areas of training by regularly performing testing within 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 biohazardous waste appropriately, and follow biohazard safety standards for handling blood.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• 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.

Specific skills include, but are not limited to:

• Proficient in at least two of the testing benches after six months of employment.
• Requires 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 FDA’s “Good Manufacturing Practices”.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 

Working Conditions include:

• This is a highly regulated position and is subject to meeting various regulatory agency and accrediting body rules and regulations. These may include but are not limited to, 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 blood-borne pathogens.

Schedule: 

This is a third-shift position. Days of the week are to be determined. 

 Benefits and Perks:

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 & 401b), consolidated paid leave program (4.8 – 6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service), subsidized back-up childcare program, subsidized transit program, educational reimbursement.  Candidates hired from outside of our service area may be eligible for a relocation assistance bonus*

Bloodworks Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.