Lab Technician

Medical Laboratory Technician

Department of Laboratories

Reports to: Administrative Director of Laboratories

Performs clinical microbiology tests using manual and automated techniques. Performs other duties as assigned. Essential Functions and Responsibilities Includes the Following:

Understands and adheres to the WPH performance standards, policies, and behaviors

Laboratory testing personnel responsibilities include:

• Following the laboratory's pre-analytic and analytic procedures and maintaining records of these tests
• Maintaining records that demonstrate that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens
• Adhering to the laboratory's quality assurance procedures, including documenting all:
• Quality control activities including quality control testing and calibrations
• Instrument and equipment verifications
• Maintenance and preventative maintenance
• Following the laboratory's policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory's established performance specifications
• Identifying and documenting problems that may adversely affect test performance and notifying the supervisor, assistant director or director and documenting all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory's established performance specifications
• Ensures the accuracy and quality of all results from pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of testing. Notifies and documents clinicians and patient units of all critical values and maintains the laboratory STAT turn around time requirements.
• Participates in regulatory readiness for CAP, AABB, NYSDOH, and Joint Commission.
• Maintains 12 Continuing Education credits per year.
• Understands and participates in standard operating procedures, proficiency testing, inspection audits, quality program including reporting non-conformances.
• Evaluates test results for abnormalities and confirms those results per department protocols where required under supervision by a CLS or technical Supervisor
• Participates in validations, training, and competency assessments as required.
• Responsible for inventory management of lot numbers, expiration dates, labeling, and QC requirement.
• Completes all annual mandatory training, in-services, and ongoing education as required.
• Microbiology – Performs Bacteriology, Parasitology, Virology, Mycology, Mycobacteriology, Susceptibilities, and Molecular testing under supervision by a CLS or technical Supervisor
• Performs other duties as assigned under supervision by a CLS or technical Supervisor

Education & Experience Requirements

Current New York State Clinical Laboratory Technician License required

A minimum Associates degree in Medical Technology or related science with one year of relevant hospital experience.

Core Competencies

Flexibility Organized Adaptability Attention to Detail Stress Tolerance Troubleshooting skills Communication skills both verbal and written

Physical/Mental Demands/Requirements & Work Environment

May be exposed to chemicals necessary to perform required tasks. Any hazardous chemicals the employee may be exposed to are listed in the hospital's SDS (Safety Data Sheet) data base and may be accessed through the hospital's Intranet site (Employee Tools/SDS Access). A copy of the SDS data base can also be found at the hospital switchboard, saved on a disc.

Primary Population Served

Neonatal (birth – 28 days) - Patients with exceptional communication needs

Infant (29 days – less than 1 year) - Patients with developmental delays

Pediatric (1 – 12 years) - Patients at end of life

Adolescent (13 – 17 years) - Patients under isolation precautions

Adult (18 – 64 years) - Patients with cultural needs

Geriatric (> 65 years) - All populations

Bariatric Patients with weight related comorbidities - Non-patient care population