Senior Medical Laboratory Technologist

Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.

About this role

Provide leadership among laboratory staff. Responsible for reporting on key areas of laboratory function to the Hospital Director, Laboratory Programs Manager, and Laboratory Technical Coordinator. Responsible for independently applying advanced technical skills and knowledge in the analysis of clinical specimens and provision of data used for diagnosis and treatment of patients.

What you will contribute

• Coordinate the work and call schedule rotation for the laboratory.
• Perform venipuncture, and finger sticks on patients of all ages, and blood donor phlebotomy.
• Perform diagnostic testing in hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, parasitology, immunohematology (blood banking/transfusion service), immunology, and cytology/histology preparations according to established procedures.
• Perform and analyze quality control measures for all methods, make appropriate decisions regarding accuracy of results, and solve quality control/patient result problems.
• Responsible for seeking appropriate medical guidance from the Chief Medical Officer and Anesthesia Provider when necessary.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair laboratory equipment using established protocols and procedures.
• Assist with lab supply inventory, usage assessment, and laboratory supply needs lists.
• Ensure proper training, adherence to all lab procedures/policies, and documentation of quality control by staff technologists.
• Provide continual essential information and feedback to the Laboratory Programs Manager and Laboratory Technical Coordinator regarding supplies, instrumentation, staffing, and any other laboratory related issues as they relate to ongoing laboratory function.
• Read and interpret technical instructions in English (procedure manuals, manufacturer’s inserts, user guides) and apply learned scientific and medical principles to unfamiliar procedures.
• Distinguish between valid and invalid laboratory data, distinguish between normal and abnormal patient results, and record results accurately.
• Assist in periodic assessment and updates of laboratory documents.
• Conform to medical laboratory safety practices and procedures.
• Represent the laboratory by attending appropriate departmental meetings.
• Provide spiritual leadership for department by organizing regular devotional and prayer times.
• Share in the support and furtherance of Christian community through lifestyle and exhortation.
• Supervise, encourage, and coach direct reports, providing regular feedback and spiritual leadership to ensure that they and their teams are functioning effectively and growing spiritually.
• Other duties as assigned as assigned by the Hospital Director.

For This Role, You Will Need

• Successful completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding program
• Preferred hospital laboratory management/leadership experience.
• Preferred prior experience working in a Mercy Ships laboratory.
• US Applicants: Bachelor of Science, and certification as a Medical Technologist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, or Clinical Laboratory Scientist by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP), American Medical Technologists (AMT), or National Certification Agency (NCA) or certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), HEW certificate, or equivalent credential from one of the above agencies.
• Non-US Applicants: Degree/diploma for Medical Laboratory Scientist or equivalent and certification and/or registration from a recognized national source.
• At least two years of generalist laboratory experience in a medical laboratory after diploma and up-to-date certification.
• Proficiency working in the following diagnostic clinical laboratory disciplines within the past two years: hematology, chemistry, blood bank (immunohematology/transfusion service), medical microbiology and phlebotomy. Applicant must be independently competent with minimal orientation.
• Must be able to distinguish color to read/interpret medical imaging documents (cannot be colorblind).
• Fluent in written and verbal English.
• Ability to clearly communicate and facilitate training on instrumentation, laboratory procedures, and hospital policy to all incoming laboratory staff.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and organize workflow.
• Requires flexibility and sensitivity to language & cultural diversity.
• Computer skills required, including proficiency with Microsoft 365 – specifically Excel, Outlook, and Word.