MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

Description

SUMMARY:

The Medical Laboratory Scientist is a supportive position to the lab. This position reports to the Laboratory Supervisor/Technical Consultant.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Responsible for specimen processing, test performance, and for reporting test results.
• Each individual performs both moderate and high complexity tests that are authorized and require a degree of skill commensurate with the individual’s education, training and technical abilities.
• Must follow the laboratory’s procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining record of patient test results.
• Maintain records that demonstrate proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient samples.
• Adhere to the laboratory’s QC policies, document all QC activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performed.
• Follow the laboratory’s established corrective action policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory’s established acceptable levels of performance.
• Be capable of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance of reporting of test results and either must correct the problems or immediately notify the technical supervisor or director.
• Operates laboratory equipment correctly, perform troubleshooting according to procedures and explore new solutions as needed to resolve problems.
• Maintains controlled inventories of reagents and laboratory materials.
• Document all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications.
• Conducts education and training for new personnel, students and visitors within the MLS scope of practice.
• Participates in quality and process improvement projects.
• Participates in continuing education opportunities to maintain relevancy and currency in professional practices and standards.
• Conforms to organizational and ASCP Board of Certification Guidelines for Ethical Behavior or standards of practice of the individual’s certifying agency and organization.
• Consistently demonstrates internal and external quality customer service standards to all that request assistance, responding in a professional manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of laboratory services.
• Strong organization and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations.
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive attitude.
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information.
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner.
• Ability to implement all standard laboratory procedures.
• Ability for performing each test method and for proper instrument use.
• Awareness of the factors that influence test results.
• A working knowledge of reagent storage and stability.

• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Physicians, Supervisors and peers.

MODERATE COMPLEXITY TESTING PERFORMED AT OB/GYN ASSOCIATES:

• Becton Dickinson Affirm VP Microbial Identification System
• hCG Serum - Qualitative (pregnancy tests)
• Urine Qualitative Dipstick Chemistries
• Automated Hematology analyzer
• Abbott Alinity ci chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer
• DiaSorin Liaison XL chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer
• Manual Urine Microscopic analysis
• Cepheid GenExpert PCR analyzer

HIGH COMPLEXITY TESTING PERFORMED AT OB/GYN ASSOCIATES:

• Roche Cobas 4800
• Microbiology urine cultures
• Microbiology urine sensitivities

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position requires no supervisory responsibilities. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a professional laboratory environment.  Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, and repetitive motions.

Occupational Exposure:

Category 1       Has a high risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens

Category 2       Has a moderate risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens

Category 3       Has a low risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Hearing:           Adequate to perform job duties in person and over the telephone.

Speaking:         Must be able to communicate clearly to patients in person and over the telephone.

Vision:             Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including reading information from printed sources and computer screens.

Other:              Requires frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting and sitting, with some lifting up to 40 pounds, pushing and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This is a full-time position.  This position is 40 hours per week.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory science, medical technology or related biological or chemical science and experience working in a medical/public health laboratory setting as obtained from prior work experience or that obtained in clinical rotations through required education. Must have documentation of training appropriate for the testing performed prior to analyzing patient specimens. 

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory science, medical technology or related biological or chemical science and experience working in a medical/public health laboratory setting as obtained from prior work experience or that obtained in clinical rotations through required education. Must have documentation of training appropriate for the testing performed prior to analyzing patient specimens. 

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.