Senior Lab Specialist - Hematology

Location: Regional Lab, 3300 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301

Department: Lab Clinical Services

Position Type: Full Time, 40 hours/week, Non-Exempt

Schedule: 7:00am – 3:30pm, 5-8 hour/shifts, Monday – Friday, Rotating Weekends

Your role with us

The senior lab specialist (hematology) serves as a technical expert and leader in the hematology 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 in hematology. 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

• Maintains high standards of performance and accreditation compliance in hematology, ensuring survey readiness and implementing quality control/quality assurance programs to meet regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Develops and updates technical procedures, policies, and manuals specific to hematology testing, ensuring alignment with accreditation standards and personnel needs.
• Conducts research on emerging trends and technologies in hematology, assists with cost-benefit analysis, and recommends changes to enhance laboratory services and patient care.
• Provides effective training programs, ongoing education, and competency activities for staff in hematology testing and procedures.
• Assists with daily workload prioritization and performance in the hematology laboratory, and may exercise technical supervision and guidance over staff.
• Provides feedback on staff technical performance in hematology and assists with staffing and scheduling as needed.
• Implements and maintains Laboratory Information System (LIS) knowledge specific to hematology, ensuring efficient use and interface with instrumentation and middleware.
• Maintains accurate records of instrument maintenance and repair in hematology, and provides timely notification of malfunctions, ensuring 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 in hematology laboratory operations.
• Participates in equipment evaluation, procurement, and implementation processes for hematology instrumentation, including thorough technical evaluation and vendor comparison.
• Maintains inventory control, minimizes operating expenses, and works effectively with purchasing and laboratory operations teams to support hematology laboratory services.

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.
• ASCP or AMT certification in associated laboratory department (hematology/molecular/chemistry etc.)
• 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.

Additional information

• Ideal candidates possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical information to diverse stakeholders, perform analyses of specimens, detect and investigate problems, make evaluations supported by scientific evidence, and provide technical consultation to physicians, nurses and others in area of specialization.
• Candidates with experience in laboratory procedure development and implementation will excel in this role, requiring demonstrated ability for technical development and ongoing maintenance of procedures, assays and instrumentation in their area.
• Strong foundation in the principles, techniques, procedures, instrumentation and safety precautions in the field of specialization is essential for success in this role, which ideal candidates are expected to maintain.
• Candidates with experience in quality management will thrive in this position, implementing quality control and quality assurance standards, performance improvement activities and all regulatory and accreditation standards.

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.