Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Technician

Job Responsibilities

The responsibilities of this job include, but are not limited to the following:

• Providing quality and rapid lab results involving knowledge of laboratory analyses, proper procedures, work equipment, and safety procedures;
• Following the laboratory's procedures for specimen collection, handling, and processing, as well as for test analyses, reporting, and maintaining records of test results;
• Adhering to the laboratory's quality control policies and documenting all quality control activities and instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance;
• Ordering various lab, x-ray, and medical supplies in the medical record system for patients under the written or direct verbal orders of the Physician;
• Assisting Physicians, Extenders, and Nurses with patient treatment and care including locating patients, obtaining accurate vital signs by visual and auditory measures, triaging patients, assessing patients' problems, and preparing patients for physicals and medical treatment by Physicians, Extenders, and Nurses;
• Handling Physician, Extender, and Nurse requests with respect and in a timely manner;
• Following the established corrective action policies and procedures of the laboratory whenever test systems are not within the laboratory's established acceptable levels of performance and documenting those actions;
• Identifying and troubleshooting problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results either by correcting the problem or notifying the Lab Supervisor, Lab Consultant, or Director of Laboratory Services;
• Understanding all checklists and being able to perform all duties on the checklists associated with the position;
• Using correct medical terminology;
• Keeping informed of all new policies and procedures;
• Implementing established policies and procedures as directed;
• Sterilizing and setting up instruments, stocking the lab and treatment area, and handling laundry;
• Maintaining cleanliness of the treatment area and other areas of the center as needed.
• Attending all mandatory training and continuing education classes (including CPR classes, code drill classes, etc.);
• Attending staff meetings as directed;
• Willing to work at any center due to staffing, a center emergency, or a reduction of work;
• Being available to assist as needed (breaks and mealtimes may be interrupted at any time to provide necessary patient care or to maintain center operations);
• Understanding and using the medical record system, including, but not limited to processing of the patient, ordering and reporting lab tests, medical records, and hardware or software problems;
• Working with fellow employees and externs during on-the-job training;
• Understanding an indeterminate amount of time may be required for performing various duties within the scope of each job description; all duties on the checklist are to be performed within the shift assigned;
• Operating, maintaining, and using medical and office equipment as trained;
• Participating in maintenance assignments (i.e., when necessary and as directed);
• Completing other duties as directed.

Minimum Education and Professional Requirements

Minimum education and professional requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Employee must be 18 years of age or older;
• Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing;
• Minimum typing experience;
• Employee must be a high school graduate (or equivalent) and must meet one of the following requirements:
• Minimum of 60 semester hours of college, with related courses including chemistry, biology, and medical laboratory techniques, or an associate degree or bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology; or
• One year of documented technician training in a formal training program appropriate for the testing performed; or
• Fifty-week military Medical Laboratory Procedures course and have held the military enlisted occupational specialty of "Medical Laboratory Specialist." Written documentation of training must be provided;
• Two years of experience in clinical laboratory testing preferred.
• Must have a thorough knowledge of Medical Technology principles, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to perform a broad range of testing;
• Must have knowledge of mathematical and statistical methods sufficient to calculate and convert analytical data to test results;
• Must be able to produce rapid, reliable, quality laboratory results during periods of high volume (100 or more patients per day);
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to use and maintain laboratory instrumentation;
• Knowledge of related disciplines to integrate and correlate test results with other laboratory data and clinical information;
• Understanding of laboratory science and its application in making comprehensive analytical correlations of laboratory results with patient symptoms and diagnoses;
• Proficiency in performing venipuncture, fingerstick collections, and drug screen collections.
• Annual CPR certification;
• Must be able to hear pages, bells, and phone system;
• Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time (possibly 4-7 hours at a time);
• Must be able to lift moderately heavy to heavy items (20-50 lbs.);
• Ability to multitask, prioritize work, and take initiative based on varying volume and dynamic situations.