MLT/MLS at Chadron Community Hospital, Corp. – Chadron, Nebraska

JOB SUMMARY

The Medical Laboratory Scientist works under the supervision of the Director of Laboratory Services. Ultimate responsibility is to the Laboratory Director. The Medical Laboratory Scientist position performs laboratory testing in all departments of the laboratory as required. This position performs all the responsibilities for testing personnel conducting high complexity testing as defined by CLIA 88. Also performs other duties as assigned.

PATIENT POPULATION SERVED

Personnel in this position may serve the following patient population: Infant, adolescent and adult.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES

• Function as the testing personnel for the daily operation of the Laboratory. Follows laboratory’s established policies and procedures for performing laboratory analysis to assure that acceptable levels of analytical performance are met. May function as a general supervisor in the absence of a Laboratory Manager in accordance with the CLIA 88’ general supervisor guidelines. Demonstrate competency and proficiency in all laboratory testing performed.
• Maintain phlebotomy skill to include venipuncture, capillary draws, and arterial punctures. As required, draw appropriate blood specimens from patients following standard operating procedure for the identification of patients, specimen collection, labeling, and handling.
• Adhere to laboratory’s quality control policies and procedures, documenting all quality control activities, instrument calibration and maintenance.
• Follows laboratory’s established corrective action policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory’s defined acceptable level of performance.
• Recognize and respond to abnormal test results and follow established policies of notification and documentation of these abnormal results.
• Capable of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either correct the problems or immediately notify a supervisor or medical director.
• Demonstrate competency and proficiency in performance of testing, maintenance procedures, performance of quality control, and problem solving.
• Participate in the orientation and training of new staff.
• Participate in performance improvement activities.
• Demonstrate flexibility in adjusting to variable work load and job duties including troubleshooting instruments.
• Knowledge and involvement of yearly laboratory performance improvement plan as well as other committee activities.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology or Medical Laboratory Science or a related field or equivalent combination of post-secondary education and work experience (including comparable military training) in the field of Medical Laboratory Science. Required to meet all personnel requirements for testing personnel under CLIA 88’.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist by a recognized certifying agency or registration as a Medical Laboratory Technologist/Medical Laboratory Scientist is desirable.

EXPERIENCE:

Prior work experience desirable, but not required.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL MOTOR SKILLS:

Must be able to palpate a vein or artery and possess skills to perform a needlestick. Able to select, enter, and retrieve correct information into Laboratory Information System. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to operate laboratory instruments to conduct testing and perform maintenance and troubleshooting procedures.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Must be able to effectively communicate and interact with all members of the patient care team and patients regardless of age or ethnic background. Must be patient, kind, and sympathetic. Ability to work independently. Ability to help train other members of the laboratory staff as required. Able solve most problems and handle difficult situations with little supervision.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to bend over patients for the purpose of collecting specimens. Requires the ability to move physically to the patient location. Must be able to physically manipulate blood drawing supplies to obtain blood. Able to lift up to 50 pounds and/or carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Ability to physically operate laboratory instruments.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL ABILITIES:

Has written and oral communicative abilities adequate to comprehend technical materials and communicate with medical professionals. Ability to read and record information. Ability to understand instructions, reason, and make judgments.

ESSENTIAL SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to visually assess patients for collection of blood specimens. Must be able to listen and understand written and oral communications provided by staff and patients. Must be able to discern the difference in colors as required to perform necessary laboratory procedures.

EXPOSURE TO HAZARDS:

Frequent contact with water (hand washing and cleaning). Daily functions may include incidental exposure to biohazardous fluids, vapors, fumes, moving mechanical parts, electric shock, patient exposure, hazardous chemicals, sharp instruments (needles). Sufficient noise and interruptions to cause distractions and stress. Must be able to tolerate wearing gloves (latex or vinyl) and other projective gear such as face shields and fluid resistant coats.

OTHER:

Will work other shifts, weekends, and holidays. Overtime and call-back may be required. Perform other duties as assigned.

GENERAL COMPETENCIES

1. Mandatory Hospital Education – with orientation and annually thereafter
2. Age specific competencies – with orientation and annually thereafter.

UNIT-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

The following competencies must be evaluated for this position upon orientation and then at 6 months following orientation and annually thereafter. More frequent evaluation may be required with changes in test methodology and instrumentation.

1. Performance of patient testing including specimen handling, processing and testing.
2. Recording and reporting of test results.
3. Performance of quality control, proficiency testing, and instrument maintenance.
4. Performance of phlebotomy including patient identification, patient preparation, collection of venous, arterial, and capillary specimens, and specimen handling and labeling.
5. Judgment in handling instrument problems, specimen problems, testing issues, and reporting issues.