Medical Laboratory Technician

Medical Laboratory Technician at Avera Health

As a Medical Laboratory Technician at Redfield Community Memorial Hospital and Clinic, I am responsible for accurate specimen collection, diagnostic testing, and timely reporting of results while adhering to regulatory guidelines. I also provide education and training to staff and students, ensuring the maintenance of quality control and compliance within the laboratory.

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Avera Health is seeking a qualified individual to fill this role.

Position Highlights

Job Summary:

• Proper specimen collection, handling, and corresponding orders for diagnostic testing.
• Performance and appropriate documentation of diagnostic testing.
• Accurate and timely reporting of diagnostic testing.
• Performance and interpretation of Quality Control/Calibration and participation in all quality assessment activities.
• Maintaining clinical competency through ongoing education and professional development.
• Providing education and training to students, other professional, and non-professional staff.
• Performance of testing in accordance with regulatory and compliance guidelines.
• Assigned special projects/functions as determined by Laboratory Management.

Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development and possesses the ability to respond to specific issues and data reflective of the patient/customer's status. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care for the population served in the department.

Responsibilities, Expectations & Standards

• Commitment to the daily application of Avera Health's mission, vision, and core values to serve patients, their families, and our community.
• Promote Avera Health values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship.
• Uphold Avera Health standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Excellence (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating workflow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment.
• Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with but not limited to CMS, Joint Commission, and OSHA.
• Facilitate and maintain effective communications with staff, other departments, visitors, and patients.

Essential Job Functions:

• Coordinates specimen collection with phlebotomy staff, routinely performs venous or capillary blood collection on inpatients, outpatients, or outreach clients.
• Instructs patients/clients on proper pre-analytical specimen collection, specimen handling, and storage guidelines for various body fluids.
• Operates all aspects of the Laboratory Information System (LIS) to include: test orders, result reporting, Q.C. documentation, etc.
• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots a variety of automated analyzers according to standard operating procedure.
• Performs a variety of manual test procedures according to standard operating procedure.
• Organizes/prioritizes workload throughout shift for maximum efficiency and result reporting turn-around.
• Responds to all requests for technical information, test results, specimen collection information, appropriate test utilization, etc.
• Interprets test results based on reference ranges and diagnosis.
• Performs testing under regulatory and compliance guidelines.
• Provides education and training to students, other professional, and non-professional staff.
• Actively participates in the Laboratory Quality Management program.
• Orders supplies, if needed.

Marginal Job Functions:

• Unpacking supplies, management of inventory.
• Specimen accessioning.
• Distribution of test results (printed, electronic, phone, fax, etc.).
• Answers telephone and directs calls.
• Management of multiple tasks simultaneously.

Essential Physical Demands:

Must possess good manual dexterity. Extensive standing required. Moderate walking, bending, sitting, and lifting required. Microscope and computer work which involves extended use of fine motor skills and near visual acuity.

Work Environment:

Regular exposure to infectious/hazardous materials. Required use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Equipment Used to Perform Job:

• LIS - PC workstation, printers, label printers, file servers, interfaces.
• Chemistry, immunochemistry, hematology, coagulation, and blood bank analyzers.
• POC-Arterial Blood Gas, Glucometer, Triage meter.
• Microbiology/Serology - automated blood culture, bacterial identification, and sensitivity testing.
• General - Microscopes, pipettes, timers, counters, miscellaneous lab ware.
• Clerical/Support - Specimen collection supplies: collection containers, etc.; telephone, filing systems, printers, FAX, copier.
• Personal Protective Equipment/safety Equipment – gloves, masks, safety devices with engineered safety controls (needles, syringes, etc.).

Mental Requirements:

☆ Reading, simple ☆ spatial ⛒ tending

⛒ Reading, complex ⛒ form ⛒ precision working

☆ Writing, simple ⛒ clerical ⛒ follow instructions

⛒ Writing, complex ⛒ compiling ⛒ influence others

☆ Math skills, simple ⛒ coordinating ⛒ time requirement

⛒ Math skills, complex ⛒ analyzing ☆ memorization

☆ Tasks, simple ⛒ synthesizing ⛒ problem solving

⛒ Tasks, complex ⛒ supervising ⛒ independent judgment

☆ Driving ⛒ instructing ⛒ decision making

Potential Job Stressors:

• Performs work under time constraints and interruptions.
• Assigned weekend and/or night rotations, call, holidays.
• Coping with changes in staffing, workload volume.
• Emergency/Trauma situations.
• Performance of solo work, especially on the night shift call, weekends, and holidays.
• Inaccuracy may result in life-threatening consequences.
• Frequent interaction with clients/students.

Education:

Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science

Licenses/Certificates:

Certification required: MLT, CLT, MLS, or equivalent.

Experience:

Minimum 6 months Clinical internship/education as part of Associate Degree Program

Schedule:

Varying shifts including weekend, call, and holiday rotations

Keywords:

medical laboratory technician, diagnostic testing, specimen collection, quality control, healthcare, patient care, laboratory compliance, clinical laboratory, medical testing, health services