Medical Laboratory Technician / Medical Laboratory Technologist

Description:

Position Summary:

Performs technical laboratory testing in the laboratory. The medical laboratory technologist / medical laboratory technician assists with all laboratory duties as needed and other duties as assigned by the Laboratory Manager.

Knowledge of current medical technology to perform full range of laboratory tests and to communicate with medical staff regarding laboratory procedures and results. Knowledge of laboratory equipment and testing to perform quality control checks and troubleshooting of instrumentation. Skill in anticipating and reacting calmly to emergency situations. Skill in developing and maintaining department quality assurance. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, medical staff and the public. Ability to read and understand information about instrumentation in laboratory field. Ability to follow written protocols. Ability to work independently. Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

When students are providing patient care, treatment, and/or services as a part of their training, any/all employees may be asked to supervise the students.

Requirements:

Education/Experience:

Successful completion of a medical laboratory technologist / medical laboratory technician program.

Required Credentials (Licensure, Certification, or Registration):

Must provide a current medical laboratory technologist or medical laboratory technician license.

Employment Variables:

Work hours vary and will include weekend, holiday, and on-call hours. The Medical Laboratory Technician / Medical Laboratory Technologist will interact with patients of all ages. Initial Tuberculosis (TB) test and drug screening is required by Winner Regional Health. Rubella titer will also be drawn upon hire and immunization is required if no past exposure or indication of immunization.

Required to wear name tag provided by WRH and to follow the dress code of WRH.

Job Knowledge and Skills:

Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to deal with people in a professional manner. Ability to operate all equipment in the department and to adequately perform all services provided by the department.

Direct Supervisor:

Laboratory Director

PART II: CODE OF CONDUCT

Honesty We will do the right thing at all times, even if it is difficult, maintaining strong, ethical practices. We protect the confidentiality of others, including patients, staff and the facility as a whole. We will take responsibility for our actions.

Expertise We will demonstrate superior judgment, training and skill, at all times, demonstrating professionalism while doing so. We will perform all aspects of our job to the best of our ability, utilizing all resources and tools available.

Approachability We will be non-judgmental, friendly, and open and willing to listen to everyone we come into contact with while performing our duties. We are humble and learn from others.

Respect We will be understanding and sensitive to others’ feelings; caring and responding in a manner that sets them at ease, keeping the situation in perspective without minimizing others’ feelings or reactions. We will listen to others with full attention in a sincere, civil fashion, being careful not to be judgmental of the speaker. We maintain composure when facing conflict and avoid jumping to conclusions and defaming another’s name.

Teamwork We willingly work together with a common approach, trusting and supporting members of our organization, using our skills and resources, sharing information to achieve a common aim.

PART III: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable. Following are the essential functions of the job, along with the corresponding performance standards.

Clinical and Technical Competency

Demonstrates knowledge of specimen requirements and understands all regulations regarding sample collection, handling and processing. Properly identifies the client before specimen collection and labels all specimens according to laboratory policy. Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate venipuncture, arterial puncture and capillary sites of blood collection. Demonstrates knowledge and correct use of all phlebotomy equipment including machines, needles, tubes, lancets, etc. Demonstrates technically correct methods of specimen collection using aseptic technique to prevent the spread of infection. Demonstrates knowledge of specimen requirements and understands the necessity of special handling of certain samples. Demonstrates knowledge of correct procedure for and assists in obtaining throat and nasopharyngeal specimens. Assesses the feasibility of laboratory results through correlation of data with common physiological conditions. Cancels and orders tests as necessary. Accurately transcribes clinical test results. Able to perform in emergency situations.

Technical Competency

Performs chemical and serological analysis of blood and body fluid. Performs hematological and microbiological examinations. Performs blood banking procedures, including preparation of components for transfusion. Performs quality control checks on instruments, solutions, and test results against established standards and initiates corrective action when necessary; ensuring accurate test results. Performs all maintenance activities and ensures instrument function remains high-quality. Assists in resolving testing and instrument problems within department and contacts manufacturer’s technical support as needed to eliminate instrument and/or procedures downtime. Assists with all duties with regard to new instrument acquisition and new test implementation. Ensures all necessary records are properly maintained such as test results, quality control and maintenance.

Communication

Maintains quality of patient care and communicates with the laboratory manager, medical staff and laboratory staff, ensuring consistent information flow.

Students

Instructs students or clinic staff on correct techniques and procedures. Allows students to observe during sample collection and other job duties.

Additional Duties

Files results, reports, and bills appropriately. Approximately designates charges and credits. Monitors reports. Maintains printers with regard to paper, ribbons, and print cartridges. Stocks supplies for department when necessary. Utilizes time, materials and resources in an economical manner.

PART IV: COMPLIANCE

Compliance Must comply with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to the position. The employee has a duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to the Compliance Officer or the Chief Executive Officer.

PART V: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

General Activity

In a regular workday, employee may:

• Sit .25
• Hours at a time; up to 2
• Hours during the day
• Stand 3
• Hours at a time; up to 7
• Hours during the day
• Walk .25
• Hours at a time; up to 3
• Hours during the day

Motion

Employee is required: (In terms of a regular workday, "Occasionally" equals 1% to 33%, "Frequently" 34% to 66%, "Continuously", greater than 67%.)

• Bend/Stoop Frequently
• Kneel, Duration 30 sec Occasionally
• Squat Occasionally
• Balance Occasionally
• Crawl, Distance Not at all
• Twist Occasionally
• Climb, Height Not at all
• Keyboarding/Mousing Frequently
• Reach above shoulder level Occasionally
• Filing Frequently

Physical Demand

Employee’s job requires he/she carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead. Employee’s job requires a pushing/pulling force to move a load (not the weight of the load).

Physical Demand Classification: Carrying/lifting weight and pushing/pulling force:

• Sedentary
• Occasionally 30 lbs.
• Frequently Negligible
• Constantly Negligible

Sensory Requirements:

Yes/No Explanation (if Yes)

• Speech Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. Yes
• Communicates with staff and patients on phone or in person. Responds to patient’s concerns and questions.
• Vision (VDT) Are there specific vision requirements for the job? Yes
• Must be able to read numbers and names. Must be able to distinguish colors and view a computer screen.
• Hearing Ability to receive detailed information through oral communications, and to make fine discriminations in sound; i.e., making fine adjustments on machine parts, using a telephone. Yes
• Vital for communication with other clinic staff and patients directly or via telephone.

Environmental Factors

Yes/No Explanation (if Yes)

• Working on unprotected heights No
• Being around moving machinery Yes
• Lab equipment has moving parts
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity No
• Driving automotive equipment No
• Wearing personal protective equipment Yes
• Exposure to atmospheric conditions (i.e. fumes, dust, odors, mists, gases, or poor ventilation) Yes
• Exposure to extreme noise or vibration Yes
• Exposure to blood, body fluids and waste Yes
• Exposure to radiation No
• Exposure to other hazards (i.e. mechanical, electrical, burns, or explosives) Yes
• Exposed to needles and hazardous solutions

Emotional/Psychological Factors

Yes/No Explanation (if Yes)

• Stress: Exposed to stressful situations Yes
• Must be able to effectively deal with concerns of upset patients, ER situations, codes.
• Concentration: Must be able to concentrate on work tasks amidst distractions. Yes
• There are many phone and personal interruptions throughout the workday.
• Must exert self-control. Yes
• Must be able to display control and confidence under stress.

PART VI: JOB RELATIONSHIPS

Supervises

1 No supervisory responsibilities

0 Supervisory responsibility

# Direct Reports:

# Indirect Reports:

Age of Patient Populations Served 0 Neonates: 1-30 days

• 0 Infant: 30 days - 1 yr
• 0 Children: 1- 12 yrs
• 0 Adolescents: 13- 18 yrs
• 0 Adults: 19- 70 yrs
• 0 Geriatrics: 70+ yrs
• 1 All
• 0 Not applicable

Internal Contacts

1 Patients

1 Providers: (i.e. Physicians, Therapists, Social Workers)

1 Staff: (i.e. clinical and administrative support staff)

1 Volunteers

0 Others:

External Contacts

1 Patients

1 Families/Significant Others

1 Providers

1 Vendors

1 Community and Health Agencies

1 Regulatory agencies

1 Other: Job Applicants