LIS Technologist in East Orange, New Jersey at CareWell Health

Job Summary

The LIS Technologist functions as the primary liaison between Information Technology and Laboratory staff. Facilitates the review, revision, and approval of the clinical content to be incorporated into information systems. Ensures that information systems are implemented consistent with regulatory requirements and professional standards of clinical practice. Supports laboratory in the implementation and ongoing use of systems applications. Implements the goals of the department by providing professional services, including performance of clinical laboratory examinations, quality control, instrument maintenance and evaluation, test management, supplies inventory and other functions necessary to the attainment of section goals.

Essential Functions

• Performs data collection and workflow review of department operations. Plans, directs, and facilitates laboratory clinical content development efforts including order sets, clinical documentation templates, tools, and data dictionaries. Ensures applications function correctly, efficiently and thoroughly according to industry standard. Ensures accuracy and end user specification satisfaction. Demonstrates strong problem solving, creativity and critical thinking skills to accomplish objectives.
• Plans and executes business process redesign to maximize the integration of clinical practice, system functionality, operational workflows. Facilitates the changes necessary to maximize workflow automation within patient care areas. Enables change management necessary for clinical process optimization and adoption.
• Promotes standardization within the organization to comply with healthcare industry requirements and standards. Facilitates decision-making and adoption based on industry best practices. Ensures new processes adhere to regulatory requirements and provide thorough data capture for prompt, smooth, and effective processing.
• Coordinates the unit, functional, and integrated testing for assigned application. Identifies discrepancies between department and organizational processing needs and application capabilities, and participates in the development of contingent alternatives
• Coordinates super user training for assigned clinical applications using train-the-trainer methodology. Ensures that training meets the needs of the end users as demonstrated by the end user’s ability to proficiently use clinical systems.

Adheres to the laboratory’s procedures for the collection, processing, analysis, and reporting of patient test results

• Follows the laboratory’s established quality control policies and procedures in documenting all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications
• Capable of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance and either correct the problem or immediately notify the Director, or Medical Director
• Performs a wide variety of laboratory procedures requiring independent judgment using both manual and automated methods in Hematology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Coagulation, Immunology, and any other discipline as introduced into the laboratory
• Performs and documents maintenance – daily, weekly, monthly, or as needed on instruments and equipment as appropriate
• Reviews the accuracy of patient results prior to releasing or reporting
• Ensures that the testing of proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient samples and that collaboration with other laboratories is prohibited prior to the reporting of proficiency testing results to the appropriate agencies
• Adheres to all department and hospital policies and procedures related to safety, infection control, emergency preparedness, and human resources
• May be assigned responsibilities related to LIS and/or Technologist duties
• Participates in required amount of continuing education hours for self-development and skilled job performance. (CEU’s based on requirements to maintain licensure)
• Observes memorandums accordingly.
• Reviews all hospital and departmental policies and procedures annually.
• Participates in staff meetings.
• Ensures appropriate supplies are on hand and items are ordered in sufficient amount of time.
• Ensures that all supplies are stored appropriately according to manufacturer’s recommendation
• Restocks work area with appropriate supplies
• Ensures all reagents/QC material is annotated when opened
• Uses proper PPE during laboratory testing
• Uses proper technique for disposing of sharps, infectious and regulated medical waste
• Disinfects and cleans work benches/areas before and after tour of duty according to protocol.
• Uses proper technique for managing blood and chemical spills
• Demonstrates proper hand washing technique
• Accurately takes messages and delivers to appropriate individuals promptly.
• Ensures patient confidentiality at all times.
• Accurately and professionally conveys patient results to inquiring authorized physicians and patient care representatives
• Maintains professional composure and confidence during stressful situations.
• Will access and respond to e-mail and voice messages in a timely manner.
• Performs specimen rejection procedures according to protocol
• Contacts clinic for problem specimens and annotates in specimen rejection book.
• Follows through with problem specimens.
• Describes unit safety plan and knows location of manual in the laboratory.
• Understands the use/location of SDS books
• Demonstrates ability to respond to codes
• Identifies potential or actual unsafe environmental situations.
• Provides interventions to rectify unsafe situations and/or reports as necessary.
• Accurately documents endorsements to the covering technologist.
• Acknowledges endorsements from the previous staff.
• Follows through with colleagues and supervisor outstanding issues
• Performs and documents daily quality control and maintenance
• Notifies director and/or pathologist of discrepancies and problem equipment
• Describes the capabilities, limitations and special applications of each item of equipment.
• Demonstrates basic operating and safety procedures for equipment items.
• Reports routine problems with equipment.
• Identifies emergency procedures in the event of equipment failure.
• Describes the process for reporting user errors and/or patient incidents
• Follows The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.
• Adheres to all Infection Control, Environment of Care and Safety procedures including but not limited to appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

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.

• Minimum Education/Certifications
  Baccalaureate degree in Medical Technology or equivalent preferred; Associate degree acceptable if experience criteria are met (must meet NJ State Department of Health regulation for Technologist). ASCP or equivalent preferred. Subsequent to the receipt of an Associate degree, one (1) year of full-time experience in an acceptable clinical laboratory; for individuals with a Bachelor’s degree, satisfactory completion of one (1) year of clinical practicum, or one (1) year of full time experience in an acceptable clinical laboratory. Coordinates the unit, functional, and integrated testing for assigned application. Identifies discrepancies between department and organizational processing needs and application capabilities, and participates in the development of contingent alternatives

Minimum Work Experience
Medical Technologist - 2+ years’ experience as a Medical Technologist preferred, plus 3 years’ experience in clerical applications and system implementations in a laboratory. Project Management experience.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Must be able to lift or carry objects which may weigh up to 25 pounds; Full range of body motion; Manual and finger dexterity with eye-hand coordination; Requires standing, bending and walking for extensive periods; Requires the use of computer terminals and telephones; Requires working irregular hours (evenings, nights, weekends); Working Conditions: Frequent contact with water and alcohol gels (hand washing and cleaning); Hazardous working conditions in which the individual may be exposed to a risk of bodily injury through contact with moving instrumentation and body fluids.

Standing: 20-30% of the time

Walking: 20-30% of the time

Lifting: 1 – 5 % of the time
Bending 1 - 5% of the time

Pulling/Pushing: 1 – 5% of the time

Sitting: 40 – 60% of the time

Vision: must be able to pass approved tests for Color Blindness.

Routine duties involve primarily laboratory-related conditions

Daily functions may include incidental exposure to vapors, fumes, moving mechanical parts, electrical shock, chemical and biological hazards, patient contact, needles/syringes, waste handling

Most functions require use of protective gear such as face shields, gloves, and fluid – resistant coats.