Clinical Lab Scientist II (CLS)

For more than 55 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons.

FHCSD is one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country. We operate more than 90 sites across San Diego County, including 29 primary care clinics, 23 behavioral health facilities, 10 physical rehabilitation clinics, nine dental clinics, five vision clinics, four outpatient substance use treatment programs, three mobile medical units, two mobile counseling centers, two urgent care centers, and a pharmacy.

Our staff provides care to over 227,000 patients each year, of whom 91% are low-income and 29% are uninsured. FHCSD provides care to all. Services include, but are not limited to adult care, chronic disease management, pediatrics, comprehensive women’s care including obstetrics, dental, vision, case management, physical rehabilitation, speech therapy for children, vaccinations, infectious diseases, behavioral health, substance use counseling and a host of specialty services including cardiology, podiatry, endocrinology, dermatology, among others.  FHCSD also offers supportive services to those who are unsheltered and in need of intensive case management.   

The breadth of our clinic locations, services and programs has grown over the last five decades, making us the largest community clinic provider of health care to the uninsured in the county and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the nation. We are also the largest health care safety-net provider, largest school-based health care provider and the largest mental health provider in the San Diego region.

Responsibilities:

• Communicates effectively as part of the healthcare team; notifies providers of panic values, ad on, or cancel test orders within established timeframes or as requested by providers.

• Completes all required documentation accurately, in a timely manner, and thoroughly in accordance with department standards; in addition, ensures detailed record keeping of all tests performed and reporting laboratory findings to all persons authorized to receive such information.

• Completes proficiency testing and remedial actions for a Certified State Agencies according to State/Federal regulations.

• Completes routine testing within 24 hours; completes stat testing within 30 minutes.

• Prepares solutions, reagents, and stains, following standard laboratory formulas.

• Ensures effective Quality Control measures are maintained and adheres to lab policies and procedures.

• Ensures the safe and appropriate storage and transportation of specimens and cultures according to the Lab Procedures Manual.

• Follows laboratory safety per FHCSD chemical hygiene plan.

• Operates and maintains laboratory equipment and instruments.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Troubleshoots testing, including identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results, notifying technical supervisor and providers, and offering alternatives.

Requirements:

• 5 years' experience as a Medical Technologist/CLS required; knowledge of 5 - 6 specialty areas.

• Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or other heath related science field required.

• Licensure as Clinical Laboratory Scientist by the state of California required.

• Traveling between sites and other locations is occasionally required. Must have a valid California driver’s license, an automobile, and proof of minimum levels of car insurance as required under California law, although limits of $100,000 are recommended. An acceptable driving record is also required. California law requires all drivers to obtain a valid California driver’s license within ten days of establishing residency. Reasonable accommodation may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Mileage and other reimbursement governed by policy.

• Ability to multi-task, be flexible, ensure accuracy, and meet changing priorities in a fast-paced, high-workload environment.

• Ability to organize work to expedite results. Ability to meet department standard of a 30 minute turnaround time for a stat test.

• Basic computer literacy ability to comply with department needs and expectations (i.e., electronic medical record documentation, obtaining background information and reports on patients, following up on appointments, etc.).

• Demonstrated ability to maintain good working relationships with employees, coworkers, and departments.

• Demonstrated expertise in 5 - 6 specialty areas with minimal supervision needed to complete duties.

• Demonstrated technical expertise by evaluating quality control and correlating with patient results.

• Exceptional ability to pay attention to detail to avoid problems in the testing area.

• Intermediate interpersonal and customer service skills.

• Intermediate organizational skills, attention to detail, time-management skills, and strong motivation to meet deadlines and achieve goals.

• Intermediate written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate effectively with patients and family members who speak English as a second language.

• Knowledge of proper specimen collection, handling, preservation, and fixation.

• Knowledge of state and federal regulations in regard to exoteric and complex testing in the laboratory.

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Rewards:

• Job type: Regular Full-Time

• Schedule: Tuesday thru Saturday 11:00AM to 7:30 PM.

• Onsite Location: 823 Gateway Center Way San Diego, CA 92102

• Competitive Salary with Excellent Benefits

• Retirement Plan with Employer Match

• Paid Time Off, Extended Sick Leave and Paid Holidays

• Medical/Dental/Vision/FSA/Life Insurance

• Employee Discounts and Wellness Programs

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to community medicine and providing culturally competent care to the medically underserved.

We are excited to share that the salary range for this position is:

$45.96 - $60.71

Information on our extensive benefits package can be found here: FHCSD Wellness – Employee Hub (gobenefits.net)

FHCSD provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.