Clinical Laboratory Careers at Tampa General Hospital

Behind every medical diagnosis lies the meticulous work of a clinical laboratory scientist. At TGH, these vital professionals provide the foundation for safeguarding the health and well-being of our patients by ensuring accurate and timely lab test results. If you are seeking a rewarding and impactful career in medical laboratory science as a lab assistant, phlebotomist, histologist or scientist, consider joining our team. We offer a dynamic and collaborative work environment where our pathologists have access to state-of-the-art equipment as well as ongoing opportunities for learning and development.

TGH is accredited by the College of American Pathologists, a universally recognized mark of excellence in health care that signifies our commitment to upholding industry best practices, maintaining strict quality control measures and delivering reliable diagnostic services. Because we prioritize research and innovation, our medical laboratory scientists have opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries while playing a crucial role in patient care. During the coronavirus pandemic, we were the first hospital lab in West Central Florida to receive emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing testing. This placed our lab technicians, researchers and scientists at center stage in the effort to contain a rapidly evolving global health crisis. Additionally, in 2022 our microbiology and research lab was named a Global Center of Excellence by bioMérieux, a leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics (IVD). This designation recognizes our achievements in managing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

In a clinical laboratory career at TGH, you will employ the latest advances in lab technology to discover and analyze important medical information, contribute directly to patient diagnoses and treatment decisions, help to revolutionize the field of health care—and save lives every day.

>

The Clinical Lab of the Future Is Here

Laboratory technology is at the heart of many medical breakthroughs. The last few decades have seen remarkable growth in the range and complexity of available lab tests and services, and TGH is firmly positioned on the leading edge of this trend, which is expected to continue. Currently, our lab team utilizes:

  • Molecular testing platforms, including fully automated real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing  
  • Automated chemistry processes and workflows that allow for high-volume testing and fast results 
  • Automated complete blood count (CBC) processing, including digital slide reviews 
  • Fully automated urinalysis with flow cytometry technology
  • A unique rapid blood test to help clinicians identify and assess traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions   

Many experts predict that clinical laboratory technology will play an even more important role in the future delivery of health care. As a medical laboratory specialist at TGH, you can utilize your valuable expertise to make a difference in the lives of many patients.

A Dynamic and Rewarding Clinical Lab Career

TGH proudly promotes a people-first culture that encourages professional growth and development. If you would like to advance in your clinical lab career, we will provide the support you need to succeed and thrive. In addition to one-on-one mentorship programs, you will benefit from ongoing training, courses and workshops designed to help you stay current on the latest developments in clinical lab testing. 

With a commitment to training the next generation of game-changing medical laboratory scientists, TGH partnered with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and established a unique, in-house School of Medical Laboratory Science, which is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). In addition to didactic materials, audiovisual equipment, MediaLab, MindLab, certification practice exams, study guides and a student library for reading and research, our students have hands-on learning experiences in our clinical lab, which is equipped with the most advanced equipment available and completes hundreds of thousands of patient tests each year.

As a member of TGH’s lab team, you will also have opportunities to further refine your skills and select a specialty, such as:

  • Hematology
  • Clinical biochemistry
  • Clinical microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics
  • Transfusion medicine
  • Toxicology
  • Molecular diagnostics

As you gain experience as a medical laboratory scientist, you may also choose to pursue a leadership role in our organization. TGH will support your career aspirations and recognize your contributions and achievements along the way.

Application and Recruitment Process  

The Recruitment Process

How does TGH attract and source potential candidates for open positions?

TGH has a dedicated team of talent acquisition consultants who regularly host in-person and virtual hiring events and community job fairs. We have also partnered with many local schools and programs. Additionally, we encourage anyone who is interested in joining our team to explore our currently open positions at www.tgh.org/careers

TGH offers a wide variety of career opportunities in all aspects of patient care ranging from clinical openings and research to operations and administration. We are passionate about matching top talent with key roles in our organization, and we strive to help each qualified candidate find the perfect career with us.

Are there specific qualifications or experience requirements for different roles at TGH?

Yes. Some positions require specific skills, experience, education, licensure and/or certification, while others are entry-level opportunities that require minimal work experience. The precise qualifications for each position can be found in the respective job posting at www.tgh.org/careers. Candidates for certain roles may be asked to complete a technical assessment if applicable.

Does TGH have any partially or fully remote positions?

Yes. Many of our team members support our patients without treating them in person. For instance, essential functions such as patient intake, medical records management, claims administration, community relations, and certain corporate positions can be performed remotely. If a position can be partially or fully remote, that information is noted in the respective job posting at www.tgh.org/careers.

At TGH, we believe there are many benefits to working from home, which is strongly linked to job satisfaction and general happiness. Remote work provides our team members with more independence and flexibility, which can lead to a better work-life balance. It can also eliminate the time, stress and expense of a daily commute and improve both physical and mental health. Finally, when geography is eliminated from the equation, TGH gains access to a broader pool of talent and can hire the best candidate for each job.

Does TGH have short-term internal contracts for registered nurses (RNs)?

Yes. We offer 12-week contract RN positions with a 36-hour per week schedule, a flat hourly rate, shift differentials and eligibility for benefits, such as health insurance and a 403(b) retirement savings plan. As new opportunities arise and seasonal contracts become available, we will post the openings at www.tgh.org/careers.

Also known as travel or per diem nursing, contract nursing offers several key advantages for RN's, including:

  • Flexibility - Contract RNs can choose when and where they want to work. This flexibility can be ideal for a nurse who prefers a varied work schedule, wants to explore different healthcare settings or needs temporary employment.
  • Varied experience - Contract RNs are exposed to diverse clinical settings, patient populations and healthcare facilities, which can broaden their skills and enhance their resume.
  • Professional development - Contract RNs have opportunities to work with different teams and healthcare professionals. By establishing professional connections and cultivating mutually beneficial relationships, they can exchange valuable advice, information, referrals and support.
  • Enhanced well-being - By providing breaks between assignments, contract nursing can help prevent career fatigue and burnout among nurses.

Does TGH have float positions for registered nurses (RNs)?

Yes. We have multiple full-time, part-time and pool/PRN opportunities in all nursing specialties, each with a different work commitment and flat hourly rate. These opportunities can be found at www.tgh.org/careers

In addition to supporting our various nursing units, our float-pool nurses serve as valued collaborators who share insights across teams and help to advance the practice of nursing at the unit, divisional and organizational levels. They are also trusted advocates who champion the rights of patients while delivering compassionate care.

What if I do not live within driving distance of the hospital and cannot travel for an interview?

TGH conducts interviews in several formats, including virtually and over the telephone. If an offer is made, relocation assistance may be available for candidates in certain locations who are offered certain positions.

How to Apply

How can I find and apply for an open position at TGH?

Individuals who are interested in joining our team can explore our currently open positions and submit an online application at www.tgh.org/careers.

What if I am interested in a position that is not currently open?

We encourage anyone who is interested in joining our team to keep an eye on our Careers page at www.tgh.org/careers, where we frequently post new job opportunities. Prospective employees can also register for automated job alerts. That way, they will be notified as soon as a position that matches their interests becomes available.

How do I apply for admission to TGH’s nurse residency program?

Our nurse residency program is designed to help recent nursing graduates smoothly transition into their first role as a registered nurse (RN). We also welcome and support nurses who have less than one year of hospital experience. Interested candidates can explore our nurse residency program jobs at www.tgh.org/careers and apply directly for the position and unit of their choice.

What information should I include in my job application?

When applying for a position at TGH, you will be asked to provide the following:

Personal Information

Please provide your current contact details, including your:

  • Full name
  • Home address
  • Mobile telephone number
  • Personal email address

Educational Background

For each school you attended, please provide:

  • The name of the school
  • This city and state where you attended
  • Your attendance start and end dates
  • Your degree and major
  • The date you earned your degree
  • Your grade point average (GPA)
  • Any honor society memberships and pertinent extracurricular activities

Employment history

For each position you have held, please provide you:

  • Employer's name
  • Employer's address
  • Supervisor's name
  • Job title and responsibilities
  • Employment start and end dates
  • reason for leaving

Also indicate whether TGH has permission to contact the employer (Y/N).

Licenses and Certifications

For each license and certification you hold, please provide the:

  • Full name and common abbreviation of the license or certification
  • Issuing organization or state
  • Date you earned the license or certification

Should I submit any documents along with my job application?

At TGH, we consider it a best practice for a job candidate to upload a detailed resume when applying for a position online.

Does TGH offer accessibility assistance during the application process?

TGH is committed to nurturing a culture of inclusivity and hiring the best person for each job. In keeping with that commitment, we provide accessibility assistance to ensure that our hiring process is fully accessible to all applicants.

How can I track the status of my application?

You can view the status of your application at any time by logging into our candidate portal.

How are job applications reviewed and shortlisted?

Our recruiters review job applications on the same day they are received. After identifying a qualified candidate, the recruiter will forward the candidate’s application to the appropriate hiring leader. The hiring leader will then contact the candidate to schedule an initial behavioral and competency-based interview.

The Interview Process

How many rounds of interviews are typically conducted at TGH?

Usually, one or two. Qualified candidates are scheduled for an initial behavioral and competency-based interview with the appropriate hiring leader. This interview may be conducted over the telephone, virtually or in person. If the hiring leader is interested in the candidate, they may schedule a follow-up department panel interview to allow their team members to meet and get to know the candidate.

How does TGH interview candidates who do not live within driving distance of the hospital?

TGH conducts interviews in several formats, including virtually and over the telephone. If an offer is made, relocation assistance may be available for candidates in certain locations who are offered certain positions.

What key qualities do interviewers look for in candidates? Are job applicants required to complete any specific assessments or tests before or during the interview process?

Some positions at TGH require specific skills, experience, education, licensure and/or certification, while others are entry-level opportunities that require minimal work experience. The precise qualifications for each position are included in the respective job posting at www.tgh.org/careers. Candidates for certain roles may be asked to complete a technical assessment if applicable.

The Hiring Process

How does TGH make hiring decisions?

TGH carefully selects candidates generally based on years of experience and their qualifications for the role as outlined in the respective job description at www.tgh.org/careers.

Are job candidates required to provide references?

The hiring leader may ask a job applicant to furnish references before making a final hiring decision. If so, for each reference, the applicant should provide:

  • The reference's name
  • The reference's current employer and job title
  • The reference's business address
  • The reference's business telephone number
  • The reference's business email address
  • The reference's preferred form of contact
  • A brief description of their relationship with the reference (e.g., former employer, colleague or client)
  • The length of their relationship with the reference

Does TGH have any specific eligibility requirements for prospective employees across the board?

After TGH extends a conditional job offer to an applicant, the applicant must successfully complete:

  • A drug screening
  • A background check
  • An employment eligibility verification (proof of authorization to legally work in the United States)

What is the timeline from application submission to answer?

The timeline can vary depending on the nature of the role and the necessary qualifications. In some cases, all interviews take place on the same day; in others, the interviews are scheduled over several days. When all interviews are complete, the hiring leader will notify the talent acquisition consultant of the outcome, and the talent acquisition consultant will reach out to the applicant.

In general, TGH prioritizes offers of employment, and we aim to provide each applicant with an answer within approximately two weeks.

The Onboarding Process

What is TGH’s onboarding process for new employees?

Our onboarding process is partially remote, allowing new hires to complete all documents virtually and conduct their occupational health appointment in person.

Does TGH have an orientation program for new hires?

Each new hire is greeted by their leader on their first day of employment at TGH. To provide a warm welcome and familiarize our new employees with our organization, we offer a full-day New Team Member Orientation program. The core concepts of this program include:

  • An overview of TGH
  • Our shared purpose, vision statement and core values
  • Our operating model
  • Our commitment to ensuring a safe environment for our patients, visitors, employees and affiliates
  • Panel Discussions with our Senior Executive Team
  • AKTiVe Training led by our President and CEO John Couris
  • Q&A

Our internal teams continue to support each new hire as they acclimate to our overall organization as well as their specific department.

Does TGH offer training for new hires?

To help each new team member garner the skills and proficiencies they need to achieve their career aspirations, we provide a tailored training schedule based on their specific role at TGH.

How does TGH assist and support new hires?

TGH solicits candid feedback from each new hire after they complete 30 days in their new role, and again after 90 days. This vital information helps us understand what is going well with our hiring process, where we can make impactful improvements and how we can better support our new team members. Additionally, to help each new hire assimilate into their department, we offer a mentorship program.

Benefits and Perks

What benefits and perks does TGH offer its employees?

As part of our commitment to developing and sustaining a world-class team, TGH continually evaluates compensation, benefits and total rewards. Our goal is to foster a culture of safety and team member engagement while providing competitive rates and benefits and investing in our team members. We strive to provide valuable, high-quality total rewards to our team members, such as:

  • Medical insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Wellness programs
  • Life insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • 403(b) retirement savings plan
  • Accrued time off (ATO)
  • Tuition programs
  • Onsite daycare
  • Lactation rooms

Our comprehensive benefits vary among the different entities of the TGH Health System. Individuals who are interested in joining our team can explore the total rewards for a specific position at www.tgh.org/careers-at-tampa-general/benefits-and-compensation

Are there opportunities for career advancement and professional development at TGH?

TGH is recognized by Newsweek, Forbes, Glassdoor and other national organizations as a top employer of choice, and one area in which we consistently excel is our commitment to growing and developing our team members. Through a groundbreaking collaboration with USF Muma College of Business, we directly impact the professional growth of every one of our employees.

Take the Next Step

Ready to begin your career with us? Explore jobs, check your application status or email us today to learn more.