Medical Technologist - Lead (Immunology and Histocompatibility Laboratory)

Medical Technologist - Lead

The Medical Technologist - Lead performs a variety of complex and special microbiological, molecular biological and immunological tests on body specimens to provide data for use in treatment and diagnosis of disease. Moreover, the incumbent facilitates quality assurance and instrument maintenance and provides training and mentorship to Medical Technologists.

Core Job Functions

• Verifies identification of specimen with physicians' orders, prepares specimens for testing, and handles all specimens in a safe and careful manner.
• Analyzes results of testing and interprets abnormal or unusual results.
• Researches and prepares all pertinent patient data and refers all data and testing results to pathologists for evaluation and sign-out.
• Calibrates equipment, orders supplies, and maintains inventory of relevant forms and materials.
• Recognizes test inconsistencies and takes appropriate corrective action while supporting laboratory co-workers in resolution of similar problems.
• Administers quality-control tests, according to procedure, and maintains appropriate data recording.
• Assumes lead duties and acts as a resource to staff.
• Orients and trains employees on laboratory techniques and operations.
• Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Core Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Certification and Licensing: Florida Medical Technologist License is required

Experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant experience

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.

Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.

Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.

Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.

Commitment to the University's core values.

Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.

Department Addendum

Department Specific Functions

1. Lead the Flow/Immunology Lab area, the Molecular HLA Lab area, or the Core/Serology/Virology areas.

• Initiative to manage the daily workflow.
• Work alongside the Supervisor in histocompatibility validations (tests & software), surveys, SOPs and competencies. Testing, data and documentation of all the mentioned.
• Work alongside the Supervisor in daily tasks assignments, complex troubleshooting of tests, instruments, cases, and surveys.
• Be the first line of response in the laboratory, before the Supervisor.
• Attend clinical groups meetings, as assigned.
• Take the lead, responsibility for the daily work and decision making in the absence of the Supervisor.
• Manages, documents and revises QC and QA.

2. Performs High Complexity Tests adhering to approved Standard Operating Procedures as follows:

Molecular / Histocompatibility Area:

• Infectious Disease Testing by PCR and Real Time PCR
• HLA typing by Sequence Specific Primer Technique (QuantStudio) and Sequence Specific OligoProbe (Luminex)
• High Resolution HLA Typing, APOL1 and Gene Rearrangement Assays by Next Generation Sequencing.
• Chimerism studies (STR)

Immunology / Histocompatibility Area:

• Red Blood Cell Typing (ABO/Rh & A/AB) Subtyping
• Flow Cytometry Technique for Immunophenotyping and Cell Activation Panels.
• Complement Dependent Cytotoxicity Assay
• Solid Phase platform for HLA Antibody Detection and Identification and Complement fixing Antibodies (Luminex)
• Luminex Panel for Human Cytokine Level Quantification

Serology & Core Area:

• Manual & Automated ELISA based assays for Infectious Disease Antibody & Antigen detection and / or quantification
• Multiplex testing by Luminex
• Other Hematology & Microbiology Procedures

3. Uses Specific Test Analysis Software for raw data analysis and assign the results accordingly.

4. Analyzes results of testing and interprets results. Uses professional judgement to accept, repeat the procedure, perform reflex test(s), or reject unacceptable results.

5. When results are not within the laboratory's acceptable criteria; identify problem(s) that might adversely affect test performance and determine the cause of errors.

6. Researches and prepares all pertinent patient data and refers all data and testing results to pathologists for evaluation and sign-out.

7. Reports all results in the current Laboratory System and in UNET, if applicable.

8. Places orders and maintains inventory of disposable supplies and reagents, as applicable.

9. Meets Turn Around Time (TAT) for all tests assigned.

10. Reports Critical Value to the requestor following current IHL Policy, if applicable

11. Performs On-Call duties in the assigned area / rotation, responding promptly to any Call-Back situation.

12. Participates in Proficiency Testing, Instrument Correlation, Method Comparison, and / or Validation Studies, as assigned. Meets deadline for these other projects / assignments.

13. Assumes lead duties and acts as a resource to staff.

14. Orients and trains employees on laboratory techniques and operations, as assigned.

15. Obtain 12 Continuing Education Credits in the Histocompatibility Area per year, in addition to those credits required by the State of Florida.

16. Adheres to University and unit-level policies and procedures and safeguards University assets.

Department Specific Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Certification and Licensing: Florida Medical Technologist License is required. Histocompatibility license, desired.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years working as a Medical Technologist in Transplant laboratory.
• Be competent in 80% of tests within the lab area (Molecular HLA, Flow/Immunology, Core/Serology/Virology).
• Second review/sign off in 80% of tests within one lab area (Molecular or Flow/Immunology) or Molecular: 2nd revision/sign off HLA SSP, SSOP and NGS, 2nd revision Chimerism (STR) or Flow/Immunology: 2nd revision/sign off crossmatches, Post Ab, virtual crossmatch.
• Must perform troubleshooting in competent tests, instruments and complex cases and provide a solution.
• Ability to communicate with vendors and customers.
• Be able to prepare and present cases in histocompatibility workshops and meetings.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes:

• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.
• Commitment to the University's core values.
• Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.
• Eager to continue studying and learning about Histocompatibility field.
• Skill in completing assignments accurately, following instructions and attention to details.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work assignments under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to work under scheduled On-Call - evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.
• Ability to work flexible and changing hours during On-Call period and with short notice. (Notification of work/new assignment is received one hour in advance)
• Commitment to the University's core values.
• Ability to work independently and/or in a collaborative environment.

The University of Miami offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, tuition remission and more.

UHealth-University of Miami Health System, South Florida's only university-based health system, provides leading-edge patient care powered by the ground breaking research and medical education at the Miller School of Medicine. As an academic medical center