Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Performs highly specialized laboratory procedures using varying techniques useful in diagnoses and treatment of patients and assists in coordinating and participating in activities of workers performing specialized procedures.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in a biological science, or related field, or equivalency; five years of related lab experience and demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills.

A Master’s Degree may be substituted for two years of lab experience requirement.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Performs specialized assays or procedures and interprets the results.
2. Designs, implements and analyzes experimental projects in investigating technically difficult patients.
3. Develops and implements new procedures and test developments.
4. Designs and participates in ongoing and short term research projects requiring specialized technical expertise regarding transplantation and histocompatibility testing.
5. Evaluates, troubleshoots and resolves unusual or atypical discrepancies in testing results.
6. Oversees quality assurance programs; monitors and reviews records documenting quality control and equipment preventive maintenance and adheres to safety guidelines set forth by department guidelines.
7. Trains technical personnel, students and residents in theory and/or new techniques.
8. Writes detailed research and technical papers for publication and participates in regional or national training workshops.
9. Participates in work-related conferences and continuing education.
10. Maintains inventory of laboratory supplies.

Problem Solving

This position has the authority to work independently and exercise judgment and initiative in the full scope of problems encountered in the securing and correlating of clinical data, in diagnostic choices and the quality of the sample.

Major challenges encountered by the incumbent include evaluating, problem solving and making critical decisions related to specimen preparation, testing, compiling results and reporting to ensure unnecessary delays in patient’s medical treatment.

Comments

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.