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Clinical Laboratory Scientist Lead

SSM Health · WI · Full time

Posted Sep 14, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you mentored a newer lab scientist.

What they are checking: Supporting team members' growth, which the posting names directly.

The schedule here is 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. weekdays, with every third weekend and some holidays. How does that fit for you?

What they are checking: Whether they can commit to the stated schedule reliably.

What would you do

A specimen arrives mislabeled. What do you do?

What they are checking: Following rejection policy instead of guessing, since a wrong label can harm a patient.

How do you supervise assignments on a busy evening shift?

What they are checking: Directing staff and setting priorities, which the posting describes as the lead's role.

A team member keeps making the same accessioning error. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Coaching and accountability that fix the problem instead of covering it up.

About the work

This lead role sits in Central Accessioning. How do you keep specimens moving correctly from receipt to testing?

What they are checking: Understanding accessioning workflow, since errors there spread to every result downstream.

How do you handle a critical result that needs to reach a physician quickly?

What they are checking: Following critical value procedures fast and documenting the communication.

How do you handle a quality control failure in the middle of a shift?

What they are checking: Stopping patient testing, troubleshooting and documenting before results go out.

How do you interpret and communicate an unusual result to a physician?

What they are checking: Clinical judgment and clear communication with providers about results.

How do you keep instruments and reagents accurate?

What they are checking: Following maintenance and calibration procedures, which the posting lists among duties.

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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling WI-SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - Madison Worker Type: Regular Job Highlights: Join a team where your work matters—every moment, every patient, every community. At SSM Health, you'll be empowered to grow, supported to thrive, and inspired to make a lasting impact. A Clinical Laboratory Scientist Lead oversees complex laboratory testing, supports and mentors lab team members, and helps ensure accurate, high-quality results. Their leadership is essential to delivering timely diagnostic information that guides patient care and treatment decisions Department: Central Accessioning Schedule: Monday-Friday, 2:00 PM - 10:30 PM; every third weekend rotation; 2-3 holidays per year Apply today. SSM Health – We bring out the incredible in you, everyday. Job Summary: Under general direction, supervises assignments within the laboratory and acts as a resource to the laboratory. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Performs a full range of laboratory tests from simple blood tests to more complex tests. • Interprets test reports and communicates findings to physicians. • Escalates unusual, critical or abnormal results. • Operates complex electronic equipment, computers and precision instruments. • Maintains accuracy of equipment and reagents by performing established preventive maintenance procedures. • Assists providers in choosing appropriate lab test. • Performs and evaluates quality control procedures. • Operates, maintains, calibrates and troubleshoots instruments. • Assists with the proper storage of hazardous materials. • Reviews current literature and attends meetings and seminars to keep informed of new developments in field. • Assists in the proficiency testing program in the lab. • Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. • Performs other duties as assigned. EDUCATION • Associate's degree or equivalent years of experience and education EXPERIENCE • Two years' experience PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs. • Frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements. • Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors. • Frequent use of hearing and speech to share information through oral communication. Ability to hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc. • Frequent keyboard use/data entry. • Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting and gripping. • Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs. • Rare climbing. REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS State of Work Location: Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin • Blood Bank Technologist (BB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Chemistry Technologist (C) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Chemist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Chemist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Hematologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Personnel - Florida Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Practitioners - West Virginia Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Generalist) - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Specialist - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Clinical Laboratory Specialist - State of Hawaii Department of Health • Or • Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Clinical Laboratory Technician - New York State Education Department • Or • Clinical Microbiologist - California Department of Public Health • Or • Clinical Microbiologist Scientist - California Department of Public Health • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Scientist - New York State Education Department • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Specialist License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS – Clinical Laboratory Technician License - Montana Department of Labor & Industry • Or • CLS - Generalist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • CLS - Specialist - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • CLS - Technician - Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners • Or • Cytogenetics Technologist (CG) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Hematology Technologist (H) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Laboratory Personnel - TN Department of Health • Or • Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)/Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician - California Department of Public Health • Or • Medical Laboratory Technician - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Medical Lab Personnel - Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) • Or • Medical Lab Scientist (MLS) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT)/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) - ND Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Association for Bioanalysts (AAB) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Medical Technologists (AMT) • Or • Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Medical Technologist - State of Hawaii, Department of Health • Or • Microbiology Technologist (M) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Molecular Biology Technologist (MB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Chemistry (SC) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Cytology (SCT) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Cytometry (SCYM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Microbiology (SM) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) • Or • Specialist in Molecular Biology (SMB) (International Included) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Work Shift: Evening Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 3406000007 Lab - Central Access Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Click here to learn more.

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