Medical Lab Technician/Medical Lab Scientist

General Summary

Performs tests and procedures in assigned section(s) of the laboratory, including those which require exercise of independent and professional judgment and responsibility with minimum supervision. Independently performs qualitative and quantitative tests, following established guidelines and predetermined criteria to provide information used in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease. Identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance and/or results and uses knowledge, critical thinking skills and judgment to troubleshoot and resolve them. Consults with medical technologists and laboratory director when appropriate. May be assigned to assume the duties of a lead technician.

Required Qualifications/Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Associate degree in a science-related field with completion of a six-month clinical internship from a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) accredited Clinical Laboratory Science program approved alternate career path as designated in the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ’88).
• Registration by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Technician as a Clinical Laboratory Technician or by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) as a Medical Laboratory Technician is required.
• A person may be hired into this position if he/she has completed the requirements for registration but has not successfully completed the exam. However, the exam must be successfully completed within 6 months subsequent to hiring.
• Completion and maintenance of BLS/CPR.
• Mandatory reporter training for Dependent Adult and Child Abuse.
• Ability to communicate well verbally. Must work effectively as a team member.

Essential Functions

• Understand and abide by the Boone County Hospital Standards of Behavior, confidentiality statement, EMTALA guidelines and general hospital policies, procedures, and related practices.
• Performs qualitative and quantitative analysis for waived, moderately, and highly complex testing on biological laboratory specimens utilized for the diagnosis and treatment of disease as appropriate for patient age to include neonate, infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric adult.
• Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and standard work.
• Follows safe work practices.
• Complies with the requirements of laboratory regulatory and accrediting agencies.
• Recognizes deviation from expected results while analyzing and correcting problems using scientific principles.
• Provides information to health care providers regarding test methodology and interpretation.
• Analyzes quality control data/material, makes judgment concerning the results and takes appropriate action to maintain test accuracy and precision.
• Performs calibration, preventive maintenance and basic troubleshooting of instrumentation and equipment.
• Works independently while organizing work to meet established deadlines. Will seek technical direction from medical technologist, department director and/or medical director with specific procedural or instrumentation problems.
• Assists with new instrument or procedure implementation and training.
• Maintains inventory and orders supplies as needed.
• Assists in training new employees at the direction of the clinical laboratory director.
• Complies with applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements of the laboratory.
• Documents and reports variances to department director.
• Participates in the Quality Assurance program within the department. Identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations for resolution of identified problems/errors.
• Assists with writing and revising laboratory procedures according to NCCLS guidelines.
• Operates laboratory information system, personal computers, and instrument-related computer software.

Physical Activity Requirements(Constant = 67-100% of workday, Frequent= 34-66% of workday, Occasional = 33% or less of workday)

• Frequent: Reaching to perform test analysis, fingering entering data into the computer, grasping while handling equipment and specimens, talking while communicating with co-workers/patients/staff, hearing to receive information, lifting up to 10 lbs, and standing to perform test analysis.
• Occasional: Pushing/pulling to stock supplies/deliver specimens, lifting up to 50 lbs while handling supplies, climbing ascending/descending stairs to retrieve supplies, and feeling to perceive that nature of veins by touching skin with fingerprints.

Visual Activity Requirements:

• Works with computer terminals, instrumentation with small moving parts, reads labels and work lists, aliquots specimens, reads instructions, records data.
• Needs to be able to distinguish between colors.

Working Conditions:

• The employee is subject to chemical hazards.
• Employees in this job classification have been identified as having the likelihood of occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, therefore, are included in the OSHA Exposure Control Plan with its specification for preventing contact with the above materials.
• The employee is exposed to sharps.
• The employee is subject to indoor environmental conditions.