Medical Technologist I

Position Summary

To provide services to the medical community and patients by performing requested hematology, coagulation, urinalysis tests in a timely manner and fostering a learning environment for students, residents, and new employees rotating through the Hematology Laboratory. The Medical Technologist I in Hematology performs a variety of tests on patients samples of a moderately or highly complex nature. This critical position performs quality control for hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, stool, and body fluids procedures based on laboratory procedures and policies before patient testing can be performed.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Performs moderately and highly complex tests by various analyzers in the Laboratory and/or by manual methods on various specimen sources such as blood, urine, body fluids, stool, etc. using established procedures and policies.
• Reviews test results before reporting using technical and scientific knowledge to recognize and verify result validity and clinical relevance.
• Follows laboratory established procedures and policies, and notify approved care givers of critical results following compliance and HIPPA standards.
• Performs established quality assurance procedures (quality control testing, instrument function checks and calibrations) maintains appropriate documentation and reports irregularities to supervisor. Operates, troubleshoots, and resolves instrument’s technical problems and documents corrective action whenever possible. Responds appropriately to error flags for critical results, delta checks, required dilutions, and result patterns. Notifies physician(s) of life threatening results.
• Assesses accuracy and validity of obtained test results by applying knowledge of relevant scientific principles, recognizes changes that are critical to patient care, identifies probable causes for irregular and atypical findings. Receives a wide variety of patient specimens arriving at the laboratory for testing.
• Performs the procedures necessary to prepare specimens for testing or referral to other laboratories. Maintains a neat, orderly and safe working environment in the laboratory while adhering to all guidelines of OHSA's Blood borne Pathogens Control Act. Adheres to Costumer service guidance, interacts with physicians, patients, staff, visitors and customers via telephone conversations and in person in a professional and helpful manner. Participates in CAP proficiency testing. Performs periodic proficiency (internal and external) testing, participates in data collection and monitoring of quality assurance monitors as determined by department and section policy. Completes Quality Assurance Reports. Participates in the laboratory Continuing Education (CE) program annually.
• Performs resulting, verification, confirming, and other LIS laboratory related functions on patients results through the UI Hospital LIS and automation middleware information system including: instruments checks, status reports, and basic maintenance and recovery functions.
• Assists in training of laboratory personnel, new employees, medical residents and students in the principles and techniques of medical technology.
• Performs other duties as assigned.