JOB SUMMARY: This role is for a medical technologist or clinical laboratory scientist. The MT / MLS provide services of both a technical and non-technical nature in the laboratory service area; performs routine and complex laboratory tests in the clinical and anatomical pathology laboratory to provide physicians with rapid and accurate laboratory test results. Duties include: preparation of specimens for processing in the laboratory; performance of moderate and highly complex analytical processes, establishing, performing, and documenting quality assurance, quality control and equipment maintenance; recognizing problems and identifying causes; developing alternatives and determining solutions; confirming and verifying results through an in-depth knowledge of techniques, principles, and instruments; correlating and interpreting data based on knowledge of factors affecting test results; data handling and input; and routinely interacting with patients/clientele in all age/developmental categories. A review of this description has excluded the marginal function of the position that is incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor, Executive Director, or pathologist.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Requirements are representative of minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or abilities.
1. Baccalaureate degree in Medical Technology or related science; successful completion of training in an approved Medical Technology Program;
2. Current License by the State of Montana Board of Clinical Laboratory Science Practitioners;
3. Current Certification as an MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP)CM;
4. A minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a bench level MT(ASCP) / MLS(ASCP)cm is preferred. Flow Cytometry experience is advantageous, but not required.
5. Communication skill (writing, verbal, reading), manual dexterity, planning skills.
Physical Demands (Performed on a regular and consistent basis):
1. Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
2. Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling, including fine motor coordination.
3. Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and fingers.
4. Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detail or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
5. Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds with no less than a 40-db. loss @ 500 Hz, 1,000 HZ, and 2,000 Hz with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
6. Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
7. Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
8. Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances.
9. Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
10. Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
11. Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.
Physical Requirements:
1. Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
2. Medium: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
3. Visual Acuity – Biomedical/Equipment Operators (Including inspection), Inspection, Testing, Analysis, Close Assembly, Clerical, Administrative: This is a minimum standard of use with those whose work deals largely with visual inspection and preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, extensive reading, excellent color perception, operation of machine (including inspection, using measurement devices at distances close to the eyes). This would include such equipment as microscopes, etc.
Occupational Exposure:
1. Category I – Job related tasks involving exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.
2. 2. Personal Protective Equipment: As indicated: laboratory jacket, safety glasses, gloves, mask.
Physical Surroundings and Hazards:
1. The worker is subject to hazards: Including a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, and/or exposure to chemicals.
2. The worker may be subject to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system or the skin: Fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
Special Demands:
1. Involves judgment in planning work, assessing results, solving problems, and taking or recommending action. Errors or negligence in the performance of duties may lead to serious consequences for patients or disrupt the operation of the group.
2. Ability to organize work, to meet deadlines and work under stressful conditions.
3. Good communication skills, both oral and written.
4. Absolute integrity in the accurate identification of samples, performance, and reporting of results.
5. Continual assessment of current literature.
REPORTS TO: Laboratory Director. Supervisor assigned.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical:
1. Perform moderate and/or high complexity testing without direct supervision. Use routine and specialized automated and non-automated laboratory procedures and/or techniques for which the technologist is qualified, trained, and demonstrates competency according to established procedures.
2. Operate and ensure proper functioning of laboratory equipment. Troubleshoot instrument malfunction(s) and perform and document preventive and corrective maintenance and repairs on all laboratory equipment. Use instrument hotline(s) if available to obtain help in resolving instrument problems. Recognize when professional service is required and request service if instrument is covered under a service contract. Otherwise, report service needs to Executive Director or Pathologist for resolution. Maintain records and documentation of maintenance.
3. Calibrate laboratory instruments to ensure accuracy of test results. Perform and interpret quality control as specified in the procedures and according to manufacturer’s recommendations, and maintain QC records and documentation necessary to meet CAP/CLIA standards. Institute and document corrective action before patient results are released.
4. Evaluate and calculate quality control statistics to assess accuracy, precision, and validity of current laboratory methods.
5. Understand appropriate specimen collection, handling, and transport procedures. Collect samples, if required. Prepare specimens for analysis and determine acceptability of samples within guidelines. Assist in development of procedures for specimen collection, handling and transport to maintain specimen integrity and viability.
6. Process data, verify accuracy, and enter data into the laboratory database, along with appropriate explanatory or interpretive information. Meet all turnaround times.
7. Recognize and identify the technical, instrumental and/or physiologic causes of unexpected test results.
8. Assist in evaluation and selection of new equipment. Design, implement, and/or evaluate new testing procedures as requested by Executive Director and/or Laboratory Director or another Pathologist. Validate new methods, and contribute to design, review and writing of procedure manuals.
9. Monitor quality assurance and assist in data collection for QA indicators.
10. Participate in and satisfactorily perform external proficiency testing.
11. Maintain clean and orderly work area. Clean bench surfaces and equipment each shift or after contamination or spill.
12. Prioritize tasks, workload, and testing schedules to meet turnaround times. Assist with workload in any area where competency has been verified and is current.
13. Work well independently.
14. Fulfill continuing education requirements for re-licensure.
15. Train and assist in verifying competency of new employees, including other technologists.
16. Participate in and perform satisfactorily on competency assessments.
17. Prepare department for and participate in CAP/CLIA inspections.
Organizational:
1. Understand and adhere to practice policies and procedures involving attendance.
2. Understand and adhere to practice appearance policies.
3. Understand and adhere to practice policy on confidential information and HIPAA compliance.
4. Understand and adhere to practice policy and procedures on safety.
5. Abide by and strongly enforce all compliance requirements and policies and perform responsibilities in an ethical manner consistent with the organizations values.
6. Maintain knowledge of practice operations and policies and procedures through participation in practice meetings and in-service, reading policies and procedures, etc.
7. Demonstrate concern for meeting internal and external client/practice needs in a manner that provides satisfaction for the client/practice within the resources, make available and anticipate additional needs of client/practice.
8. Act in a way that indicates understanding and accurate interpretation of others’ concerns, motives, and feeling; recognize strengths and limitations in others.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of the link between own job responsibilities and overall organizational goals and needs and perform the job with the broader goals in mind.
10. Develop cooperation and collaborative work efforts toward solutions, which generally benefit all involved parties.
11. Adapt easily to change, see the merits of differing positions, and adapt own positions and strategies in response to new information or changes in a situation.
12. Express desire to improve and develop self; set own development challenges and volunteer to learn. 13. Demonstrate a strong positive image of self and own skills, capabilities, and judgment.
13. Maintain stable performance and behavior when faced with opposition, pressure, and/or stressful conditions.
14. Demonstrate desire to set and meet changing objectives, to find better or more efficient ways to do things, and to compete against a self-defined standard of excellence.
15. Recognize and recommend potential operational improvements.
16. Participate in education programs according to practice policy.
17. Handle confidential matters of the Pathologists and Administration with skill and care.
18. Prioritize duties and perform multiple tasks within the same time frame.
19. Demonstrate flexibility with work schedules to provide service for the clients/patients and for the good of the practice.
20. Use computer appropriately and recognize problems/errors. Take appropriate action when a problem or concern arises.
21. Deal with stressful situations/heavy workload in an appropriate manner.
22. Perform special projects that benefit the practice.
Communication
1. Report any abnormal observations or unusual circumstances to the Executive Director and/or pathologist.
2. Maintain courteous interactions with all clients/patients of the practice following established employee guidelines.
3. Maintain courteous interaction with fellow employees.
4. Attend periodic staff and pathologist/staff meetings.
5. Communicate effectively in writing and/or orally in individual or group situations.
6. Speak in a professional manner while answering telephone calls following established phone protocol.
7. Report test results verbally and through laboratory database.
8. Interact with other healthcare workers to solve problems and interpret patient lab results within the framework of training and experience.
Additional
1. Maintain overall neatness and organization of lab/office area.
2. Maintain adequate inventory of reagents and supplies. Note receipt date and lot number on reagents to ensure oldest stock is used first. Discard outdated reagents and contaminated materials according to policy.
3. Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to $35.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Financial planning services
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- License reimbursement
- Life insurance
- Paid holidays
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Healthcare setting:
- Medical laboratory
- Private practice
Medical specialties:
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Rotating weekends
Education:
Experience:
- bench tech: 2 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- CLS license in MT (Required)
- diploma from the University you attended? (Required)
Work Location: In person
