Lead Chemistry Medical Laboratory Technician / Medical Laboratory Scientist

Description

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Under the supervision of the Laboratory Director, the Lead Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) / Medical Technologist (MT) performs diagnostic testing according to the physician orders that are authorized by the laboratory director and require a degree of skill commensurate with the individual's education, training, or experience and technical ability. Maintains laboratory equipment, performs quality assessments and organizes workload to facilitate completion of tests in the allotted time frame. May assist in the guidance, training and orienting of lab employees and students as per the laboratory director's approval.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide positive leadership creating harmonious and effective working environment within the department.
• Seek out opportunities presented in gaining knowledge which will foster development or acceptance of new concepts and ideas.
• Successfully performs venipuncture on difficult patients of all ages and makes appropriate judgments concerning specimen quality.
• Accurately performs testing in all assigned departments.
• Handle routine troubleshooting and communicates necessary information to other shifts and interdepartmentally when appropriate.
• Perform required QC according to the SOP, documents corrective action, and makes appropriate decisions regarding patient results.
• Process proficiency samples in the normal flow of work in a section.
• Document critical values, and releases results to outside parties according to policy and confidentiality guidelines.
• Participate in annual departmental competency testing, as well as hospital required activities.
• Maintain current certification with National Registry.
• Attend and participate in in-service education programs and departmental meetings and demonstrates a willingness to keep current by attending workshops or reading literature.
• Perform special assignments which may include training new employees or students.
• Has a working knowledge of the computer and LIS system.
• Interact positively and cooperatively with patients, visitors, physicians and employees ranging in age from birth to the most aged.
• Support the Medical Center’s Mission/Vision/Philosophy positively.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Perform other essential duties as assigned.

Take ownership of the department where lead activities are assigned. This is to include but not limited to:

• Maintain appropriate departmental inventory and par levels.
• Ensure the appropriate proficiency testing materials are ordered, assigned, completed, resulted and reviewed within the time limits described by the proficiency testing provider.
• Stay up to date on changes within the department and/or instrument field service bulletins. Ensure testing personnel are informed and trained accordingly.
• Document, upload, and review departmental quality control to maintain accuracy in patient testing and to meet regulatory requirements.
• Complete College of American Pathology (CAP) Survey Checklist(s) that apply to assigned department for both on-site and interim inspections.
• Review departmental policies and procedures according to laboratory guidelines for clear testing personnel instructions and regulatory compliance. Such changes to be submitted to the Laboratory Director for final review.
• Ensure testing personnel meet training and competency requirements for accurate patient testing and regulatory compliance at hire, 6 months, and annually.
• Complete monthly Quality Assurance reports and provide documentation to Laboratory Director for review in a timely manner.
• Take a leadership role in providing positive communication both inside and outside of the assigned department, creating a harmonious and effective laboratory work environment.
• Work closely with the Laboratory Director for any departmental goals, process improvements, physician needs, instrument issues, and opportunities for delegation.

Requirements

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate from an accredited MLT or MLS program.
• Registered MLT or MLS with appropriate credentials from ASCP, NCAMLP, AMT, ASMT.
• Ability to operate and interpret results from the available laboratory instrumentation.
• Ability to relate medical knowledge to test situations.
• Ability to communicate well with patients, medical staff, peers and all customers.
• Must be able to assess patients throughout all stages of life from newborn to 105+ years of age regarding physical and psychological needs and limitations.
• Be able to read, interpret and adhere to the laboratory's established policies and procedures concerning all areas of the laboratory.
• Must be self-motivated and have the ability to work within the established policies, procedures and practices prescribed by the hospital/clinic.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to sit and stand, intermittent 8 to 10 hours a day.
• Must be able to use standard office equipment, including the telephone and computer keyboard.
• Continuously works under pressure of near 100% accuracy while meeting inflexible deadlines.
• Continuously utilizes manual/bi-manual dexterity, near vision, speech, and hearing.
• Frequently stands, walks, sits and utilizes eye/hand coordination and color definition.
• Occasionally reaches above shoulder, regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 40 lbs.
• Occasionally walks on uneven surfaces.
• Regular exposure to disease-carrying specimens, hazardous chemicals, electromechanical hazards, stressful workloads, deadlines to meet and interruptions to the routine.
• Requires good manual dexterity and visual acuity (color-blindness must be noted).
• Must have good mobility in order to move about equipment and to be able to lift and move moderate weights.
• May be required to sit or stand for long periods of time. Must be able to maintain concentration.