MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Introduction

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce dedicated to delivering exceptional service to its residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Purpose

The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) performs laboratory testing of clinical samples and provides analytical testing support to the Milwaukee Health Department Laboratory (MHDL). The incumbent in this position primarily supports the Keenan Health Center (KHC) during the following work schedule: Monday and Thursday: 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

Essential Functions

Laboratory Testing Support and Analysis

• Perform STAT laboratory analysis of clinical specimens collected from KHC clients.
• Process and conduct preliminary screening tests, including those for pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including those required for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).
• Perform specimen accessioning and resulting in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system.
• Maintain patient confidentiality per Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines.
• Refer clinical specimens for additional testing at the MHD Zeidler Municipal Building (ZMB) laboratory, following transportation guidelines.
• Assist MHDL management and clinical supervisors with regulatory compliance related to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and other state and federal guidelines.
• Operate basic instruments, including laboratory balance, pH meter, heater-stirrer, pipetting machine, agar and media dispenser, and hot-air ovens.
• Operate autoclaves and filtration units for the preparation of sterilized media.
• Prepare standard microbiology media and other laboratory reagents.
• Prepare diagnostic transport kits for distribution to health centers, clinics, hospitals, and physicians.
• Prepare STI and Family Planning program related test supplies, including media for the MHD clinics.

Quality Control (QC) Activities

• Perform maintenance and repair of instrumentation and document quality control activity per regulatory guidelines and MHDL standards.
• Evaluate quality control results, document all appropriate information and corrective action, track and trend media and reagents performance, and assist in quality improvement activities at all MHD laboratory locations according to established protocols.
• Perform proficiency testing according to the same procedure as patient samples.
• Assist in improving the quality and efficiency of laboratory procedures, policies, and processes.
• Attend departmental meetings and annual in-service training.
• Ensure compliance with accrediting agencies, such as CLIA.
• Actively maintain competency in laboratory function in accordance with CLIA regulations.

Phlebotomy Duties

• Perform routine blood draws for adult patients for STD and HIV screening.
• Assist in entering patient demographics and results into LIMS for test samples in the laboratory.
• Assure that specimens are properly labeled and acceptable for testing.
• Follow laboratory biosafety and general safety practices per MHDL Blood-borne Pathogen (BBP) and Safety Program guidelines.
• Monitor and maintain specimen collection, testing, and phlebotomy supplies and prepare specimens for transport.

Laboratory Maintenance and Inventory Management

• Record the temperature of the incubators, freezers, and refrigerators on temperature charts.
• Assist in the cleaning and maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment such as water baths, pH meter, pipettes, incubators, refrigerators, freezers, and centrifuges; troubleshoot issues.
• Maintain and prepare specimen collection kits, inventory of microbiological media, laboratory reagents, supplies, glassware, and disposables to assure continuous laboratory operation.
• Assist in preparing specimens and samples for processing.
• Assist in disposal of biohazards according to regulatory protocols.
• Perform job-related technical training for new laboratory staff and MHD interns.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

The Medical Laboratory Technician must be willing and able to do the following:

• Work outside standard business hours when needed.
• Wear industry related personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, facemask or face shield, as employees may be exposed to infectious agents or toxins while performing the duties of this job.
• Lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds occasionally and 20 pounds frequently.
• May be required to respond to an emergency and/or broad impact event.

The required pre-employment tests include:

• Physical/50 lb. lift test
• Audiogram
• Vision
• Medical evaluation for respirator
• Respirator fit test
• Pulmonary Function Test
• Non-DOT drug test

The required pre-employment vaccines include:

• TB Test; at time of appointment and annually throughout employment
• Hepatitis B Vaccine
• COVID-19 Vaccine Confirmation
• MMR Vaccine
• Varicella Vaccine
• Influenza Vaccine

Minimum Requirements

• Associate degree from an accredited college or technical school with a major in Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS).

  Note: Students in their final semester of the MLT or CLS program may participate in the selection process but may not be hired until the degree has been completed.
• Certification by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) within six months of appointment and throughout employment.

Related links for certification information referred to in #2 above:

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience performing related functions in a public health, hospital, or clinical laboratory.
• Valid certification by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Certification (ASCP BOC)

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

Technical

• Knowledge of microbiology and chemistry.
• Knowledge of quality assurance and laboratory safety standards.
• Knowledge of word processing and excel spreadsheet software applications.
• Ability to apply mathematical operations such as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
• Ability to accurately perform laboratory procedures, accession data, keep records and enter test results in the LIMS.
• Ability to follow Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical information, procedures, and governmental regulations.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions appropriately.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary staff and other internal and external partnering agencies.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one's own.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Critical Thinking and Professionalism

• Analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables with limited standardization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Honesty and the ability to safeguard City resources.

Current Salary

the current salary range (3MN) is $52,949-$66,701 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $55,067-$69,369 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes the following:

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass