Medical Technician (Phlebotomy)

Job Title

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)

Job Description

The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) incumbent performs testing in one or more of the following areas: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing, phlebotomy, hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, toxicology, urinalysis, referral laboratory, microbiology and specimen processing. MLTs recognize data with life threatening (critical) implications and understand the importance of immediately bringing the data to the attention of the patient's physician and/or nursing staff. At the full performance level, MLT's use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the laboratory, from sample collection to evaluating and communicating test results. MLTs perform day to day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision while ensuring testing accuracy and quality of proper patient care. This includes providing pre-analytic instruction to patients. VA staff and other external entities related to collection and processing of laboratory specimens. MLTs use processing techniques such as centrifugation, aliquoting, storage and packaging (considering stability factors), and they accurately label and sort patient specimens. MLTs operate and maintain all instrumentation in assigned areas to deliver precise, timely and accurate laboratory results when analyzing body fluids such as blood, urine and tissue samples. MLTs at this level analyze findings and tissue necessary reports. The results and findings of laboratory tests and procedures are discussed with supervisors, pathologists and other medical professionals as needed. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor. These assignments require specialized training and experience and have wide latitude for exercising independent judgement. Employees must have advanced knowledge of specialized and complex subject matter extending beyond the duties of test performance.