Medical Laboratory Scientist Training & Education Lead, UWMC Montlake Transfusion Services Lab

Job Description

Who we’re looking for

The UW Medicine - Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (DLMP) in Seattle, WA has a fantastic opportunity for a Medical Laboratory Scientist Training & Education Lead with the Transfusion Services Laboratory at the University of Washington Medical Center Montlake campus .

Serve as the lead Medical Laboratory Scientist for transfusion service training, education, and competency operations within the Transfusion Service Laboratory (TSL) in the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology. Provide technical leadership and operational oversight for on-boarding, competency assessment, continuing education, and staff development activities to support safe, compliant, and effective transfusion service operations in accordance with CAP, FDA, AABB, Joint Commission, and institutional standards.

Serve as the lead technical resource for development, coordination, implementation, and maintenance of transfusion service training and competency programs across UWMC campuses. Apply advanced transfusion medicine expertise and MLS judgment to ensure staff training, competency assessment, and educational materials accurately reflect laboratory procedures, patient safety practices, operational workflows, and regulatory requirements.

Provide lead-level operational and technical guidance to laboratory staff through training, assigning, organizing, scheduling, and reviewing training and competency-related work activities consistent with UW lead work expectations.

Work schedule

• 100% FTE
• Monday – Friday with rotating weekends and holidays
• Day shift

What you’ll contribute

Training & Education Leadership

• Serve as the lead MLS resource for transfusion service on-boarding, technical training, competency assessment, and continuing education activities across UWMC campuses.
• Lead development, implementation, and maintenance of structured on-boarding and training programs for new MLS staff, trainees, students, and other laboratory personnel.
• Develop and maintain educational materials, competency assessments, electronic learning modules, procedural training content, and remediation materials related to transfusion service operations and patient safety practices.
• Apply advanced transfusion medicine expertise to ensure educational content reflects current blood bank practices, regulatory requirements, operational workflows, and technical laboratory standards.
• Provide technical instruction and mentorship related to pre-transfusion testing, compatibility testing, antibody identification, blood product handling, patient safety practices, and laboratory operations.
• Assess trainee progress, provide structured feedback, and identify opportunities for remediation or additional competency support.
• Collaborate with laboratory leadership, medical directors, supervisors, and quality personnel to identify training needs, operational risks, and opportunities for educational improvement.

Competency & Learning Management Operations

• Manage competency assignments, tracking, documentation, and completion activities within the electronic learning management system (Title 21).
• Coordinate training schedules, competency deadlines, instructor-led training sessions, annual competency requirements, and continuing education activities for transfusion service personnel.
• Maintain oversight of electronic training records and competency documentation to ensure compliance with CAP, FDA, AABB, Joint Commission, and institutional requirements.
• Develop and maintain electronic training modules using instructional design platforms such as Articulate Storyline, Rise, or similar educational software.
• Collaborate with laboratory leadership and quality personnel to integrate training and competency activities into operational workflows and regulatory readiness efforts.
• Monitor training and competency metrics to identify trends, educational gaps, and opportunities for process improvement.

Operational & Technical Support

• Maintain competency in transfusion service testing and provide direct bench support during staffing shortages, workflow surges, emergency operations, or other operational needs impacting continuity of patient care services.
• Serve as a technical consultant and escalation resource for transfusion service staff regarding training, competency, workflow, and operational concerns.
• Ensure educational practices are operationally integrated into patient testing workflows and transfusion service laboratory operations.
• May perform duties of an MLS as operationally necessary to support laboratory services.

Quality & Regulatory Support

• Support regulatory readiness activities related to staff training, competency assessment, procedural compliance, and documentation standards.
• Participate in audits, inspections, and quality improvement initiatives related to competency management and laboratory education programs.
• Collaborate with the MLS Quality Lead and laboratory leadership to address recurring operational issues, patient safety concerns, and opportunities for targeted remediation or educational intervention.

Teaching, Training, and Staff Development

• Serve as the lead MLS resource for transfusion service onboarding, technical training, competency assessment, and continuing education activities across UWMC campuses.
• Provide advanced technical instruction, mentorship, and operational education related to transfusion service workflows, patient safety practices, regulatory requirements, and blood bank testing procedures.
• Lead development, implementation, and maintenance of structured onboarding and training programs for MLS staff, trainees, students, and other laboratory personnel.
• Develop and maintain educational materials, competency assessments, procedural training content, remediation plans, and electronic learning modules related to transfusion service operations and patient safety practices.
• Utilize electronic learning management systems, including Title 21, to assign, track, document, and maintain training activities, competencies, continuing education, and instructor-led training requirements.
• Develop and manage electronic educational content using instructional design platforms such as Articulate Storyline, Rise, or similar educational software.
• Coordinate training schedules, competency deadlines, annual competency assessments, and individualized development plans in collaboration with laboratory leadership and operational supervisors.
• Assess trainee progress and competency performance, provide structured feedback, and identify opportunities for remediation, additional training, or competency support.
• Ensure training and competency practices remain compliant with CAP, FDA, AABB, Joint Commission, and institutional requirements.
• Collaborate with the MLS Quality Lead and laboratory leadership to identify recurring technical or operational issues, assess opportunities for process improvement, and develop targeted educational interventions when system-based corrective actions are insufficient to mitigate risk.
• Communicate updates to laboratory procedures, workflows, technical standards, regulatory requirements, and operational changes to transfusion service personnel.
• Provide technical expertise and operational insight to support continuous improvement of transfusion service education, competency management, and staff development programs.

Instrumentation, Equipment, and Information Systems

• Utilize laboratory information systems, electronic quality management systems, databases, and reporting tools to support transfusion quality operations.
• Provide quality leadership related to equipment calibration, maintenance, quality control, and interface documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Collaborate with instrument/equipment vendors, technical support teams, and laboratory information system personnel regarding equipment performance, interface concerns, validations, and compliance documentation.

Communication and Customer Service

• Represent the transfusion service laboratory professionally during interactions with regulatory agencies, accreditation inspectors, clinical departments, blood suppliers, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Facilitate communication between laboratory staff, managers, faculty, inspectors, vendors, and clinical partners during investigations, inspections, and operational events.
• Communicate technical and regulatory information clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Support collaborative problem-solving and conflict resolution related to quality and patient safety concerns.

Job Knowledge and Professional Growth

• Maintain advanced knowledge of transfusion medicine, blood bank operations, quality systems, and regulatory standards.
• Maintain competency in CAP, FDA, AABB, Joint Commission, and institutional requirements.
• Maintain technical competency and proficiency in transfusion service testing methodologies and operational workflows.
• Participate in continuing education, professional development activities, departmental meetings, and regulatory training.
• Maintain MLS certification and ongoing competency requirements.

Perform Related Duties as Assigned

• Perform additional duties and responsibilities delegated or assigned by management or faculty leadership, including special projects and operational initiatives.
• May rotate to other sections and perform duties of an MLS 1 or MLS 2 when necessary to support patient care operations.
• Perform other duties as required.

What you’ll need

• Accredited bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science OR equivalent education/experience

AND

• Medical Laboratory Science certification with the American Society for Clinical Pathology or equivalent, or certification with a specialty organization appropriate to the laboratory division

AND

• Three years of professional experience including one year as a Medical Laboratory Scientist 2 or equivalent.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Desired qualifications

• Extensive experience in pretransfusion testing, to include complex antibody identification, component modification, and automation.
• Previous lead experience.
• Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

What we offer

• Vacation time and sick time off that accrue monthly, including 12 paid holidays.
• State Employee Tuition Exemption Program covering up to 6 credits of qualifying coursework per quarter at the University of Washington or other participating colleges or universities.
• Fully subsidized public transit pass (U-PASS) that covers multiple forms of public transportation in the region.
• Excellent healthcare, dental, disability, retirement, and other plan options.
• Lots of free fantastic fitness, healthy eating, finance, and stress reduction classes offered through the Whole U.
• And much more!

About the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology

A regional resource for clinical laboratory services required for innovative patient care, research and educational programs, the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at UW Medicine combines the sophisticated testing and informatics capabilities of fully accredited laboratories with the resources of an academic institution in its delivery of clinical and anatomic pathology services. Recognized for excellence in clinical training, world-class research initiatives, and a commitment to community service, we serve labs and medical facilities both nationally and internationally.

Please visit our website to learn more about our department.

About UW Medicine

UW Medicine is Washington’s only health system that includes a top-rated medical school and an internationally recognized research center. UW Medicine’s mission is to improve the health of the public by advancing medical knowledge, providing outstanding primary and specialty care to the people of the region, and preparing tomorrow’s physicians, scientists and other health professionals.