Nemours is seeking a Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead (Generalist) to join our Nemours Children's Health team in Orlando, Florida.

**$7, 500 Sign on Bonus offered (external applicants only)

Located in Orlando, Fla., Nemours Children's Hospital is the newest addition to the Nemours integrated healthcare system. Our 130-bed pediatric hospital also features the area's only 24-hour Emergency Department designed just for kids as well as outpatient pediatric clinics including several specialties previously unavailable in the region. A hospital designed by families for families, Nemours Children's Hospital blends the healing power of nature with the latest in healthcare innovation to deliver world-class care to the children of Central Florida and beyond. In keeping with our goal of bringing Nemours care into the communities we serve, we also provide specialty outpatient care in several clinics located throughout.

The Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead exhibits the certified expertise required to perform complex services, performance, and related tasks in the clinical laboratory, including in the areas of molecular diagnostics and flow cytometry. This position serves as the technical lead and resource for other MLS and MLT personnel in the section as well as providing support to the Laboratory management team.

The MLS Lead will perform a variety of analytical procedures and specimen testing of high complexity, properly utilizing methodologies and instruments in accordance with laboratory policies and procedures and in compliance with regulatory agency requirements. As the technical lead, will oversee procedures being handled by other members of the laboratory team. The Lead also manages the department inventory, ensuring that the necessary supplies are available and placing orders timely to avoid deficiencies.

• Performs a variety of analytical procedures of high complexity, using manual and automated methods, and through a variety of clinical laboratory methodologies. In this function, the lead must be able to independently perform all required calibration, quality control, statistical calculations and other process control and mathematical functions. Must also be able to understand concepts such as linearity, and standard deviation, as it applies to the performance of analytical testing in a clinical laboratory.
• Additional responsibilities in Microbiology (if assigned):
  • Perform culture set-up, Gram stain preparation and interpretation, incubation, and examination to accurately and appropriate apply clinical and technical judgement.
  • Conduct bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing from appropriate specimen types, ensuring accurate interpretation of clinical significance (normal flora vs pathogens) and compliance with quality and safety standards.
  • Perform molecular diagnostic assays (e.g., PCR) and rapid antigen testing, including specimen preparation, test set-up, result interpretation, and timely result reporting.
• Leads the development and validation of various complex tests for implementation in all sections of the laboratory. Collaborates with lab leadership in the writing and review of policies and standard operating procedures as well as assigning and completing proficiency testing.
• Orders, accessions, statuses, and reports the results of tests performed on patient specimens, monitoring a variety of critical clinical issues, such as patient identifiers, specimen quality, order appropriateness, etc. In this function, the lead must be able to read and understand a variety of written material such as specimen requisitions, worksheets, patient identification, specimen requirements, etc., whether performing this task manually (e.g., on paper) or using an information system. Must be able to check and verify information such as patient identification, lot numbers, expiration dates, etc., and act appropriately. Monitors pending logs regularly to provide rapid turnaround time.
• Operates, calibrates, and performs troubleshooting and maintenance on laboratory equipment following established procedures, and as assigned by supervisor. Must be able to take responsibility for laboratory equipment performance, as demonstrated by interactions with technical representatives for instrument maintenance, both preventive and repair; must be able to successfully perform start-up and shutdown of complex analytical equipment. Recognizes need for additional Quality Control, maintenance, or specimens prior to releasing test results.
• If assigned to specimen collection, processing and handling, collects or assists with specimens from patients or others in special procedures (e.g., assisting physicians at bone marrow aspirate collections). Such collections may take place in a variety of environments. Such collections may require entering patient isolation rooms, whereby, associate must follow appropriate infection control procedures.
• Transports and handles specimens as assigned, following appropriate procedures.
• Supports Laboratory Leadership in the review and development of technical and administrative procedures. Responsible for informing other lab personnel about section changes, procedure changes and updates, etc.
• Manages the laboratory section inventory, placing timely orders for reagents and supplies to avoid deficiencies. Ensures other lab personnel adhere to inventory procedures such as properly identifying key technical parameters, such as lot numbers, storage requirements, etc. Follows laboratory section inventory procedures (e.g., recording date received, condition when received, checking order forms, invoices, etc.).
• Responsible for monitoring that calls incoming to the lab section are being answered promptly and courteously. In this function, interacts routinely with a variety of individuals, including physicians, and other clinical staff, patients and their families, inspectors, vendors, etc. Must be able to demonstrate good customer service and lead others in the department by example.
• Follows all laboratory and hospital safety policies (including, but not limited to chemical safety, e.g., the laboratory's Chemical Hygiene Plan, infection control policies, etc.). Must be able to perform functions using personal protective equipment and barrier protection, such as disposable gloves, laboratory goats, shields, goggles, etc. Must be able to handle a variety of hazardous materials, such as chemicals and pathogenic organisms.
• Acts as department liaison, ensuring frontline operations flow adequately and interacts with hospital personnel as needed for department related issues.
• Trains other lab personnel and acts as a resource for the team. Makes presentations such as educational talks to groups. Oversees analysis performed by others to ensure protocols and regulations are being followed correctly.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Lab program or Science related program required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Technologist is required.
• Florida Technologist License in all sections of laboratory (Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology/Serology, Microbiology and Immunohematology) required.
• Florida Technologist License in Molecular Pathology (Preferred).
• Nationally/Internationally recognized certification as a Medical Technologist or equivalent. (ASCP, AAB or AMT) is required.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and varying hours as required.

Why Join Us:

We offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for growth, and the chance to make a significant impact on patient care during critical hours.

#LI-EP1

About Us

Nemours Children's Health is an internationally recognized children's health system. With more than 1.7 million patient encounters annually, we provide medical care in five states through two freestanding state-of-the-art children's hospitals - Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware and Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida. Our pediatric network includes 80 primary-urgent-and specialty care practices and more than 40 hospitalists serving 19 affiliated hospitals. We generate annual revenues of more than $1.7 billion derived from patient services, contributions from the Alfred I. DuPont Trust, as well as other income.

As one of the nation's premier pediatric health systems, we're on a journey to discover better ways of approaching children's health. Putting as much focus on prevention as cures and working hand in hand with the community to make every child's world a place to thrive. It's a journey that extends beyond our nationally recognized clinical treatment to an entire integrated spectrum of research, advocacy, education, and prevention, leading to the healthiest generations of children ever.

Inclusion and belonging guide our growth and strategy. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about, and committed to, leading efforts to provide culturally relevant care, reducing health disparities, and helping build an inclusive and supportive environment. All of our associates are expected to ensure that these philosophies are embedded in their day-to-day work with colleagues, patients and families.

To learn more about Nemours Children's and how we go well beyond medicine, visit us at www.nemours.org .