Senior Lab Specialist
Salem, OR, US
Laboratory / Pathology
Full Time
Job ID: #18135
Location: Regional Lab, 3300 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department: Laboratory Clinical Services
Position Type: Full Time, 40 hours/week, Non-Exempt
Schedule: 6:00 am – 2:00 pm, five 8-hour shifts, Monday – Friday, rotating weekends
Your role with us
The senior lab specialist serves as a technical expert and leader in the microbiology laboratory, driving quality, innovation, and compliance while setting high standards of performance. This role requires advanced knowledge and skills to develop and implement technical procedures, quality control/quality assurance programs, and training initiatives, while maintaining expertise in emerging trends and technologies. As a senior specialist, this individual will provide technical guidance, assist with departmental goal setting and performance monitoring, and contribute to laboratory operations, strategic planning, and staff development, while ensuring seamless testing, results delivery, and compliance with accreditation standards.
What you'll do
- Maintain high standards of performance and accreditation compliance, ensuring survey readiness and implementing quality control/quality assurance programs.
- Develop and update technical procedures, policies, and manuals to meet accreditation standards and personnel needs.
- Conduct research on emerging trends, assists with cost-benefit analysis, and recommends changes to enhance lab services.
- Provide effective training programs, ongoing education, and competency activities for staff.
- Assist with daily workload prioritization and performance, and may exercise technical supervision and guidance over staff.
- Provide feedback on staff technical performance and assists with staffing and scheduling as needed.
- Implement and maintain laboratory information system (LIS) knowledge, ensuring efficient use and interface with instrumentation and middleware.
- Maintain accurate records of instrument maintenance and repair, and provides timely notification of malfunctions. Ensures downtime procedures and related materials are current and complete.
- Works collaboratively with medical directors, managers, supervisors, and staff to share information and foster high levels of staff involvement and decision-making.
- Participate in equipment evaluation, procurement, and implementation processes, including thorough technical evaluation and vendor comparison.
- Maintain inventory control, minimizes operating expenses, and works effectively with purchasing and laboratory operations teams.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor's degree, if bachelor’s is not in a science field, must have sufficient course work required to meet CLIA requirements for highly complex testing.
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (ACSP/AMT) or ASCP specialty certification in the associated laboratory department at date of hire. (i.e. MLS, MT).
- Participation in a minimum of eight CEUs per year.
- Four years of recent related work experience in laboratory area of comparable complexity and services, exhibiting extensive and current knowledge of lab discipline.
- Experience with a Laboratory Information System.
Total rewards package
Salem Health's comprehensive benefits package prioritizes your mental and physical health, financial stability, family obligations and professional growth. Click here for details.
Why Salem Health?
Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.
We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.
Location: Regional Lab, 3300 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department: Laboratory Clinical Services
Position Type: Full Time, 40 hours/week, Non-Exempt
Schedule: 6:00 am – 2:00 pm, five 8-hour shifts, Monday – Friday, rotating weekends
Your role with us
The senior lab specialist serves as a technical expert and leader in the microbiology laboratory, driving quality, innovation, and compliance while setting high standards of performance. This role requires advanced knowledge and skills to develop and implement technical procedures, quality control/quality assurance programs, and training initiatives, while maintaining expertise in emerging trends and technologies. As a senior specialist, this individual will provide technical guidance, assist with departmental goal setting and performance monitoring, and contribute to laboratory operations, strategic planning, and staff development, while ensuring seamless testing, results delivery, and compliance with accreditation standards.
What you'll do
- Maintain high standards of performance and accreditation compliance, ensuring survey readiness and implementing quality control/quality assurance programs.
- Develop and update technical procedures, policies, and manuals to meet accreditation standards and personnel needs.
- Conduct research on emerging trends, assists with cost-benefit analysis, and recommends changes to enhance lab services.
- Provide effective training programs, ongoing education, and competency activities for staff.
- Assist with daily workload prioritization and performance, and may exercise technical supervision and guidance over staff.
- Provide feedback on staff technical performance and assists with staffing and scheduling as needed.
- Implement and maintain laboratory information system (LIS) knowledge, ensuring efficient use and interface with instrumentation and middleware.
- Maintain accurate records of instrument maintenance and repair, and provides timely notification of malfunctions. Ensures downtime procedures and related materials are current and complete.
- Works collaboratively with medical directors, managers, supervisors, and staff to share information and foster high levels of staff involvement and decision-making.
- Participate in equipment evaluation, procurement, and implementation processes, including thorough technical evaluation and vendor comparison.
- Maintain inventory control, minimizes operating expenses, and works effectively with purchasing and laboratory operations teams.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor's degree, if bachelor’s is not in a science field, must have sufficient course work required to meet CLIA requirements for highly complex testing.
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (ACSP/AMT) or ASCP specialty certification in the associated laboratory department at date of hire. (i.e. MLS, MT).
- Participation in a minimum of eight CEUs per year.
- Four years of recent related work experience in laboratory area of comparable complexity and services, exhibiting extensive and current knowledge of lab discipline.
- Experience with a Laboratory Information System.
Total rewards package
Salem Health's comprehensive benefits package prioritizes your mental and physical health, financial stability, family obligations and professional growth. Click here for details.
Why Salem Health?
Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.
We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you’ll find more than a job, you’ll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.
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Career exploration program
Whatever your background or career aspirations, there’s a place for you at Salem Health. And our Career Exploration Program can help you identify the ideal opportunity to pursue. The Program allows you to work alongside a healthcare professional as you gain insight into a fulfilling hospital career.
Nursing
Since 2010, Salem Hospital has continuously achieved Magnet™-designation – the gold standard for nursing excellence. Only eight percent of all hospitals achieve this prestigious distinction.
We’ve been able to do this by maintaining a nursing culture that is defined by:
- Consistent teamwork and collaboration
- Exemplary resources to support clinical nurses
- Engaged and inspiring leadership
- A focus on well-being, resilience, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Strong professional development opportunities
- Pride in delivering quality-of-care that exceeds national norms
- An empowering professional governance structure and professional practice model
- New grad residency support, preceptorship, and mentoring
- Open and transparent strategy alignment
- Feedback is encouraged, valued and incorporated from the staff at all levels.
- Partnerships with community organizations that support improved patient outcomes
If you’re looking for a setting where you can achieve your highest potential as a nurse, we invite you to join us. We welcome all nurses, including those from outside of the United States. At Salem Health, you can experience an inclusive culture that values and rewards your unique qualities and background.
RN residency program
Begin your journey from student nurse to confident practitioner with our RN Residency Program. The program features a combination of didactic lessons, simulation, and track-specific class options. It begins with orientation and training and proceeds to preceptorship and mentorship. Through the program, you will gain clinical expertise as well as valuable professional skills such as communication and critical thinking.
Certified nursing assistants
As a certified nursing assistant (CNA), your contributions are absolutely crucial. You will provide compassionate reassurance and vital patient support in order to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care possible. You will receive competitive compensation as you provide patients with physical care and emotional support. We seek empathetic, and non-judgmental individuals with a sincere passion for elevating others’ lives.
Postgraduate year 1 pharmacy residency program
The Salem Health Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) Residency Program enhances your PharmD education as you develop your clinical expertise in the medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions. The program will be eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residency training. Upon completion of the Salem Health PGY1 residency, we believe you will be a confident and highly capable general practitioner, and well-prepared for the next step in your career.
We will meet you wherever you are on your career journey, and walk with you to your destination
There are over 900 unique positions to choose from at Salem Health. Whatever your background or your professional and personal aspirations, we offer an inclusive learning environment where you can achieve your highest potential in a career that grows with you. And, we’ll help you along the way with perks like tuition reimbursement and certification bonuses.
With so many options, why work anywhere else?
