The primary purpose of the Medical Lab Assistant (MLA) is to perform routine, simple and standardized tests and/or to assist the Medical Laboratory Technologist in performing more complicated laboratory tests which are used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Work may include other duties as determined by management.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
Employees perform a few routine and standardized tests that may cross several medical technological areas where the test results are specific, predictable, and require minimal interpretation. In addition, they may also perform preliminary techniques necessary to prepare clinical specimens for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Duties are performed in accordance with prescribed procedures and any deviations are usually accompanied with specific instructions. Work may include other related duties as determined by management. This work is supervised by higher level medical laboratory personnel.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Tasks

• Venipuncture and capillary blood collections for the Clinic and for WIC.
• Processing of collected blood may require spinning blood samples and pouring off serum into transfer tubes for transport.
• Perform routine tests to include: Hemoglobin, Glucose, Urinalysis, Pregnancy testing, Hemoglobin a1C, Strep testing, Flu testing, Fecal Occult Blood, and COVID.
• Enter internal test results into CureMD.
• Responsible for receiving specimens from a variety of sources and verifying identification information. Responsible for paper specimen processing, specimen storage, and accurately completing laboratory work orders.
• Work also includes the disposal of outdated specimens, stocking and preparing needed media and reagents; and coordinating priority specimen processing for emergency situations.
• Responsible for QC logs including Levey-Jennings charts.
• Responsible for performing quality control on all instrument/regents utilized to assure accuracy and proficiency.

Quality Control Test Includes:
1. Hemoglobin
2. Glucose
3. Hemoglobin a1C
4. Strep
5. Flu
6. Fecal Occult Blood
7. COVID
8. Urine Pregnancy Test
9. Urinalysis

• Responsible for Calibrations, cleaning, and troubleshooting analyzers as needed.
• Responsible for laboratory temperature checks daily and eyewash/shower checks weekly.
• Responsible for documentation of all laboratory procedures and assures timely receipt of reports, documentation and proper distribution to clinical staff.
• Responsible for Lab Logs and scanning and assigning lab results into our EHR system from all outside labs used.
• Responsible for getting lab results corrected if patient information is not correct.
• Correspond with LabCorp, State Lab, Unity Lab, Kansas State Laboratory, and Carteret Health Care.
• Responsible for keeping monthly logs and clinic requisitions printed.
• Must maintain 3.0 Lab CEU’s a year.

Additional Job Duties

• Any other duty as necessary, including assisting with any public health emergency including but not limited to natural disasters, man-made disasters, influenza pandemics (e.g. H1N1) or other outbreaks of communicable diseases, disaster surveillance and response, to ensure the efficiency of the Health Department.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities

• Some knowledge of applicable laboratory instrumentation and equipment;
• Some knowledge of test procedures performed in the laboratory;
• Knowledge of specimen processing;
• Skill in the use of laboratory equipment and in the performance of procedures;
• Ability to make accurate observations;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Physical Requirements

• This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force.
• Work regularly requires sitting and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires walking, speaking or hearing, reaching with hands and arms and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, climbing or balancing and stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling.
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color perception, and peripheral vision.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work requires occasional exposure to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment and exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
• Due to the high level of hazardous exposure, only authorized personnel are permitted in the laboratory All unauthorized personnel should be escorted. To ensure the safety of both patients and staff, the MLA will maintain cleaning procedures recommended by OSHA standards.

Desirable Education and Experience
Graduation from high school, plus Phlebotomy training from an accredited medical program (phlebotomy, medical assistant, nurse, lab technician, etc.)
Special Requirements
Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license upon hire.