Traveling Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist- Part-Time

Pay Details

The pay rate for this part time position is $34/hour. Hourly wage is based on experience and geographical location.

• Flexible work schedule
• Reimbursable travel time and mileage
• RTI International employees also get the opportunity to make a difference in their local community as well as an opportunity to work for a company named by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces 2023!

Traveling Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists are responsible for:

• Receiving and recording blood, other biological and environmental samples
• Processing blood samples, labeling cryovials, entering data about samples into biological sample management system
• Processing urine samples and others collected via oral rinses and swabs
• Entering data about all samples into biological sample management system
• Performing quality control activities (e.g., follow QC checklist) as instructed
• Preparing shipments of biological samples according to international and U.S. regulations
• Setting up/packing up the laboratory and interview rooms, including packing, unpacking, and storing light equipment and supplies
• Attending project training, complete RTI required courses and certification by end of training
• Following all procedures in the Manual of Procedures
• Managing and maintain equipment, laptop, and supplies properly
• Providing all completed forms (e.g., timesheets) to supervisor, as requested
• Placing samples into temporary storage (refrigerator/freezer) in the MEC
• Serving as back-up for completing dental screening questionnaire, hearing tests, and participant check-in.
• This position involves lifting equipment weighing up to 50 pounds

Work Schedule

• The initial data collection period is expected to be two years, from January 2025 through December 2026 and anticipated to continue at least until 2030.
• On average, you will be on duty 40 hours per week for up to 48 weeks per year.
• On average, you will be on duty 5 days each week based on the survey participant schedule.
• The majority of this work is anticipated to be weekdays during daytime hours. between 7AM and 7PM driven by the data collection schedule. Staff are informed of the upcoming week’s schedule each Thursday

Traveling Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists are required to complete all trainings which include:

• Successfully pass project required trainings (a mix of virtual, online, and in-person).
• Virtual and Online trainings completed throughout December 2024 and early January 2025 prior to in-person training.
• In-person training dates in Research Triangle Park, NC, January 9-27, 2025. Individual dates may vary. Data collection starts February 2025.
• Refresher and mid-year trainings are expected.
• Attendance at all trainings is mandatory.
• Up to 80 hours of paid online/virtual training.
• In-person training for up to 8 hours/day will be paid.
• Travel per diem and accommodations will be covered for in-person training.

Project Details

RTI International is seeking Traveling Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists on the NHANES Project.

The Data Practice area within the Social, Statistical & Environmental Sciences (SSES) at RTI International has a future opening for a traveling Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

NHANES involves health examinations conducted in a Mobile Examination Center (MEC) from participants recruited by field staff. The MLS will process biological samples including whole blood, plasma, serum, urine and swabs as well as environmental samples. After processing (e.g., aliquoting serum or plasma) the MLS would also be required to prepare biological shipments of samples to several laboratories. The position will be part of a small team of staff who conduct data collection and sample collection in the MEC. As a member of the small team, the position will be crossed trained to complete additional data collection activities within their scope and qualifications (i.e., blood pressure or body measurements) as back up to other staff as required.

In addition to excellent laboratory skills, a successful candidate will have good communication skills, particularly with children and parents, and computer experience. This position requires full-time continuous travel for up to 40 weeks a year, with the possibility for more. Candidate must be available to work a minimum of 40 hours per week while on travel, including evenings and weekends and be willing to commit to work for at least 1 year. The MLS will attend project training and be supervised by a MEC Task Leader.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 21 years old
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with professional training in a laboratory science or related field
• Minimum of 1 year of core lab/hematology experience as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist (CLT), Medical Technologist (MT) or Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) in a CLIA certified health care setting
• CPR certification or willingness to obtain CPR certification within the first 3 months of employment
• Skills and experience processing, storing, and shipping all types of biological samples
• Knowledge of standard laboratory safety procedures
• Knowledge of shipping requirements for biological samples
• Ability to establish and maintain good relations with all study participants
• Basic computer proficiency (accessing internet and various project applications) and clerical skills
• Good organizational skills with an eye to detail
• Ability to be flexible in working assigned tasks
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Must possess valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications for Ideal Candidates:

• Certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) or current licensure as MT/MLS/CLT in state of residence
• Phlebotomy experience preferred
• Fluency in Spanish preferred
• Willingness to be trained and obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for driving the MEC vehicles (38 feet in length and over 26,000 lbs. in weight) to various study locations.

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach--one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Further information is available here.

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For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.