The Medical Laboratory Technologist/Technician is responsible for performing both routine and complex analyses, which necessitates knowledge of laboratory techniques, principles, and equipment and their interrelationship. This position exercises good judgment by using critical thinking skills and deals with issue resolution concerning the day-to-day technical operation of the laboratory. Also, the Technologist ensures that specimens are accessioned and processed expeditiously to deliver quality laboratory results in an effective and cost-efficient manner.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Commitment to Company Values
• Quality
• Demonstrate the six elements of competency for test systems used to generate patient test results in all areas assigned to work.
• Recognize, investigate and help resolve test discrepancies.
• Take appropriate action to investigate and address as well as notifies management for follow-up.
• Maintain a safe environment by following all policies and procedures for hazardous materials, security and emergency preparedness.
• Stewardship
• Enhances laboratory services and hospital reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.
• Comfort
• Serves and protects hospital community by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures as well as federal, state and local regulations including CLIA.
• Respect
• Promote a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department goals.
• Collaborate with the patient care team to actively communicate and report pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
• Teach students, new employees and others as directed.
• General Duties
• Specimen Processing
• Understand specimen integrity and appropriate specimen rejection
• Organize, prioritize and match computer orders with specimen labeling
• Sort specimens, check labeling, log specimens and arrange report for delivery
• Housekeeping
• Restock supplies
• Take an inventory count as assigned
• Inform supervisor of any critical supplies that need to be urgently ordered
• Declutter and disinfect bench tops
• Sequester waste bags into large biohazard waste container
• On-Call/Call Back
• Successfully execute on-call and call back procedure
• On-call hours start around 8:30 pm when the Evening Technician leaves for the night.
• Call-back starts from a successful call received from the Emergency Department (ED) until all testing has been completed as requested by the ED physician. Technician is expected to arrive on-site within 30 minutes of call.
• Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Organize workload and sets priorities.
• Utilize work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks.
• Meet turnaround time expectations.
• Perform assigned duties within the scheduled work hours as appropriate.
• Suggest process improvements to increase productivity and reduce waste.
• Make independent decisions whenever necessary
• Phlebotomy
• A.I.D.E.T. to enhance patient experience
• Specimen Collection
• Execute proper techniques in phlebotomy to do heel sticks, finger sticks and venipunctures
• Demonstrate the order of draw on blood tubes
• Select and use the appropriate collection items for each ordered test
• Chain of Custody
• Understand the principle and follow the procedure for Chain of Custody
• Clinical Laboratory
• Technical Aptitude
• Perform testing as outlined in the procedure manual
• Know basic principles and clinically significant of test results
• Perform pipetting with precision and accuracy
• Maintenance, Quality Control and Quality Assurance
• Perform required maintenance tasks on all active analyzers and ancillary equipment
• Perform quality control and calibration as recommended by the manufacturer, as established in the individualized quality control plan (IQCP) or in compliance with CLIA regulations
• Conduct temperature and/or humidity checks
• Review logs to ensure quality testing
• Manual Tests
• Stain slides for manual differentials
• Read urine sediments for microscopic analysis
• Immunohematology
• Ensure minimum stock of blood products are kept in stock
• Test for compatible blood products
• Issue blood products for emergency release and massive transfusion
• Perform a transfusion reaction work up
• Result Reporting
• Preserve patient confidentiality and comply with HIPPA regulations
• Must be able to relate information concerning a patient’s/resident’s test results.
• Training/Continuing Education
• Maintain proficiency across all active test systems utilized in the laboratory
• Participate in staff training and educational opportunities

RISKS AND SAFETY

• Exposure Risks
• High exposure to blood and body fluids or other potentially infectious materials.
• Safety Measures
• Utilize facility procedure manuals or reference materials
• Utilize body substance precautions and other appropriate infection control practices
• Follow safety guidelines established by the facility
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with hospital mission, vision and values

PROFESSIONAL

• Expectations
• Decisions are made that reflect knowledge and good judgment and demonstrate an awareness of patient/resident/family/physician needs.
• Awareness of own limitations is evident, and assistance is sought when necessary.
• Dress code is adhered to.
• Committee meetings (if assigned) are attended. Reports related to the committee are given during staff meetings.
• Responsibility is taken for own professional growth. All mandatory and other in-services are attended annually.
• Organizational ability and time management is demonstrated.
• Confidentiality of patient/resident is respected at all times (i.e., when answering the telephone and/or speaking to co-workers).
• Professional behavior is demonstrated.

HUMAN RELATIONS

• Fostering Care
• A positive working relationship with patients/residents, visitors and facility staff is demonstrated.
• Authority is acknowledged and response to the direction of supervisors is appropriate.
• Co-workers are readily assisted as needed.

JOB QUALIFICATION & REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must have excellent documentation skills, ability to analyze information, multi-tasking skills and excellent people skills.

• Education and/or Experience
• Must have a degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory, chemical, physical or biological science
• ASCP or AMT Certification is preferred
• Read, write, speak and understand English
• Physical and Sensory Requirements
• With or without the aid of mechanical devices
• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable the senses to function adequately, to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must be able to function independently, have personal integrity, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively with patients/residents, personnel and support agencies.
• Must be in general good health and demonstrate emotional stability.
• Must be able to relate and work with the disabled, ill, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull, and move the minimum of fifty (50) pounds.
• Must be able to assist with the evacuation of patients/residents.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Lincoln Health consists of a 15-bed critical access hospital, a 35-bed long term care unit, three outpatient clinics (located in Hugo, Limon, and Flagler) and a mobile care unit. The facility employs approximately 150 employees.

Specific conditions include:

• Works inside the facility throughout the laboratory area and the patient or resident rooms
• Sits, stands, bends, lifts, walks and moves intermittently during the working hours
• Is subject to frequent interruptions and working under continual pressure.
• Is subject to a quiet to moderate noise level due to phones, mechanical alarms and occasional construction work.
• Is involved with patients/ residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset patients/residents, family members, personnel and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department members.
• Works beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• Is subject to hazards in the work area including, burns from equipment, odors, exposure to sharp instruments, falls, chemical cleansers, etc., throughout the working hours.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases or conditions.
• May be required to wear facemask, gown, or gloves.