Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician

Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician Duties

The duties and responsibilities of the Advanced Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) include but are not limited to:

• Performs specialized, high-complexity tasks in the areas advanced blood banking, molecular microbiology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in addition to generalist testing in hematology, chemistry, urinalysis and coagulation.
• Serves as a primary operator for specified equipment and assumes all primary operator responsibilities and duties required to maintain equipment in accordance with accreditation requirements.
• Evaluates the suitability of blood and body fluid specimens for analysis, requests new specimens if determined to be unusable.
• Prepares specimens for analysis, ensuring that the physiologic state of the specimen properties is maintained.
• Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols. Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction; locates and implements corrections.
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and documents/maintains proper records for quality control reports.
• Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.
• Documents and maintains all quality control, maintenance, and corrective action logs.
• Performs instrument to instrument correlations, new reagents and control validations and all other technical procedures required to maintain laboratory compliance.
• Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the test system and accepted assay procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data (i.e., history, medications) to verify results.
• Generates laboratory results from the work area into the laboratory computer system (LIS).
• Performs review of manually entered laboratory results in the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Tracks down "missing" tubes, samples and follows protocol for reordering tests with appropriate documentation.
• Performs proficiency surveys, linearity studies and other intra laboratory proficiency activities to maintain competency.
• Participates in quality management and performance improvement activities by performing high complex testing for validation studies, collecting and reporting data, and recording workload statistics.
• Assists the Supervisors in ensuring proper preparation for inspections and accreditation by the applicable accrediting agencies: i.e., American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Assists in the maintenance and ordering of inventory and supplies required for efficient operation.
• Performs phlebotomy and collects samples in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Maintains effective written and oral communication with all VA personnel, medical staff, patients, and the public.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and wise decision-making skills through testing and reporting of laboratory results.

Assists in special projects, delegated assignments, and any other related duties, as assigned.