Laboratory Information System Specialist MLS/MLT at Tomah Memorial Hospital – Tomah, Wisconsin

POSITION DETAILS

Full-time with benefits; 72 hours per two week pay period, variable shift start times / hours; holiday rotation required.

JOB SUMMARY

The Medical Laboratory Scientist – Laboratory Information System Specialist (LIS) is responsible for participating in the planning, development, training, implementation, validation and maintenance of the Laboratory Information System. In this role, with both Lab and IT oversight, the LIS will primarily focus on Medical Laboratory Scientist duties but also be primary support for the Laboratory Information System. They will be responsible for facilitating communication to/from the clinical end users across the patient care departments while working collaboratively and directly with staff, department managers, medical providers, vendors and technical experts. This person will have skilled knowledge of clinical disciplines and laboratory information systems as well as a significant understanding of all lab disciplines and utilize this knowledge to optimize the laboratory design to meet the house wide needs of the organization. The LIS incorporates the organization’s strategic objectives in the management and evaluation of the hospital’s laboratory information system and will be a liaison between a wide variety of users within our facility and outside of our organization. Under the direct supervision of the Laboratory Director, performs clinical laboratory procedures while applying scientific principles and knowledge of physiological conditions affecting test results in order to assure high quality laboratory services. This position also performs quality assurance and instrument maintenance. Medical Laboratory Scientists also maintain cooperative working relationships with intradepartmental and interdepartmental personnel.

MAJOR JOB FUNCTION

1. Lead and/or participate in the planning, design, testing, and implementation of all aspects of the laboratory information system including but limited to Epic Beaker software, middleware, instrument interfaces, instrumentation, etc.
2. Serves as point of contact between the laboratory, IT team, and Epic support teams to ensure effective communication and issue resolution.
3. Create and maintain training materials, training curriculums, user guides, and tipsheets.
4. Conduct staff training on LIS functionality and laboratory workflows.
5. Provide on-going technical support including resolution of LIS incidents, downtimes, and root cause analysis of problems.
6. Assist in system enhancements, upgrades or new implementations.
7. Promotes and contributes to a positive, problem-solving environment.
8. Performs routine and special laboratory tests within designated area.

1. Recognizes test inconsistencies and takes appropriate corrective action. Provides assistance to laboratory co-workers in resolution of similar problems. Seeks help from the Director or clinical pathologist.
2. Calls critical test results to physicians or nurses immediately and according to established criteria and documents such calls.
3. Prepares test reports legibly. Initials and dates work performed as needed. Reviews reports for clerical accuracy and clinical indications.

Performs quality control tests within a designated area.

1. Runs quality control tests according to procedure and maintains appropriate data recording and review process.
2. Implements troubleshooting and corrective action processes for all QC and instrument failures.
3. Analyzes quality control data and takes appropriate corrective action when results are outside acceptable limits. Provides assistance to laboratory co-workers in resolution of similar problems. Seeks help from the department Director as required. Documents actions taken.
4. Holds patient results until out-of-control situations are resolved. Reports unresolved situations to the section head, or when appropriate, to the clinical pathologist or Medical Director.

Performs preventative maintenance and troubleshooting.

1. Observes and follows departmental preventive maintenance schedules.
2. Documents all instrument checks, preventive maintenance, routines, problems and corrective actions taken.
3. Performs daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly maintenance on instrumentation per established protocols as scheduled. Participates in training of other laboratory personnel as needed.
4. Recognizes, analyzes and takes corrective action to resolve instrument/clinical problems. Provides assistance to laboratory co-workers in the resolution of similar problems. Seeks help from the Director as required.
5. Reports unresolved instrument/clinical problems to the Director.

Provides in-service training to other laboratory personnel and students within a designated area.

1. Provides instruction in laboratory bench procedures, instrument/clinical troubleshooting techniques, and clinical application of test results.
2. Assures assimilation of procedures and evaluates troubleshooting techniques. Documents same by initialing department checklist.
3. Assists the Director in establishing educational programs that will meet the needs of employees or students.
4. Writes new procedures and method verifications as requested under the guidance of the Director. Review existing policies as needed in assigned department.

Performs clerical functions associated with the designated laboratory area.

1. Performs data entry of specimens accurately.
2. Maintains records for assigned department. (Quality control, maintenance records, monthly review, etc.)
3. Assures accurate billing of all tests. Corrects and makes changes as needed.

Contributes to the general laboratory functions and institutional needs.

1. Performs specimen collection and processing duties as needed or assigned and according to policies established in the phlebotomy area.
2. Attends regular departmental staff meetings and in-service training and keeps current on Lab communication.
3. Attends and participates in the preparation and/or presentation of the laboratory continuing education programs.
4. Observes laboratory and hospital policies, procedures and safety practices.
5. Keeps work area neat and clean. Restocks daily supplies and orders or notifies appropriate staff as needed.

Demonstrates competence in performing venipunctures on all relevant age groups and in obtaining neonatal heel sticks and finger capillary blood specimens.

Assess the developmental needs of patients from infants to geriatrics and adjusts care and instruction appropriately.

Performs drug collections (DOT and non-DOT) testing and legal blood draws as assigned and according to policy

In the absence of the Lab Coordinator/Director, MLT/MLS will direct workflow of the phlebotomist/Lab Assistant staff.

Initiates and participates in departmental and organizational quality/performance improvement activities.

Evaluates and participates in validation process of new tests or changes to existing tests as needed for assigned department and trains staff as needed.

Coaches staff as needed to improve performance and workflow as needed for assigned department.

Work with vendors to discuss and troubleshoot supply and instrument issues as needed for assigned department.

Performs monthly lead operator review of assigned department by designated due date and submits to Laboratory Director.

Communicates changes and updates to all parties who need information in a timely manner.

Communicates assigned department’s needs to Laboratory Medical Director and requests signature and review when needed.

Prepare any monthly reports and present to appropriate person for review and signature.

Monitors assigned departments inventory expiration dates and removes items before expiration.

Works with Laboratory Director and IT by submitting tickets for new test builds, validation and testing of interfaces.

Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR

1. WORK ETHICS STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to making the Tomah Health work environment better through: patient advocacy, continuing education, and valuation of each individual person.
2. COMMUNICATION STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to use open and honest communication with all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: basic customer courtesy (phone, written, face to face) and active listening.
3. TEAMWORK STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to be a proud, dependable Tomah Health TEAM member through: basic customer courtesy, patient advocacy, flexibility, and valuation of each individual person.
4. QUALITY STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to provide respectful, compassionate, quality care with integrity to all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: job excellence, patient advocacy, and self-dignity.
5. PROFESSIONALISM STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to professional conduct towards all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: collaboration, teamwork, appearance, environment, and valuation of each individual person.
6. ATTITUDE STANDARD: Affirm a commitment to maintain a positive, professional perspective towards all Tomah Health customers (in-house & community-wide) through: honest feedback, confidentiality, basic customer courtesy, and valuation of each individual person.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Clinical degree required: MLS/MLT; Bachelor’s or Associates degree in Medical Laboratory Science or Medical Laboratory Technician and Clinical Informatics degree preferred. Must have earned MLS/MLT degree from an accredited institution. Must be qualified under the CLIA 493.1489 Standard
2. Minimum of 3 years of experience in a clinical laboratory.
3. Prior LIS system or Epic application experience and/or training required or similar.
4. Information Technology training a plus.
5. ASCP certification required on hire or obtained within 1 year and is required to match education.
6. Current certification or eligibility to become BLS certified.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

1. Possess the following skills:
   1. Strong understanding of laboratory workflows.
   2. Excellent project management skills
   3. Strong computer skills
   4. Effective teaching/instructional skills
   5. Excellent oral and written communication
   6. Critical thinking
2. Excellent human relation skills as demonstrated by the ability to interface positively with all customers and employees.
3. Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, under stress, with minimal supervision, and to exercise initiative and judgment in analyzing, organizing, planning, prioritizing, scheduling and coordinating work with others.
4. Needs to possess as high level of intelligence, integrity, sense of responsibility and ability to comprehend and analyze details.
5. Ability to mentor and assist staff in professional growth.
6. Must acquire the knowledge and maintain established competency levels to perform essential laboratory practice.
7. Ability to operate and handle many kinds of complex equipment.
8. Ability to demonstrate clinical competence and maintain current knowledge in caring for infant through geriatric patients.
9. Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, under stress, with minimal supervision, and to exercise initiative and judgment in analyzing, organizing, planning, prioritizing, scheduling and coordinating work with others.
10. Needs to possess as high level of intelligence, integrity, sense of responsibility and ability to comprehend and analyze details.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

1. Frequently required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms and is also required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel and crouch.
2. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
3. Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, and talk and hear.
4. Must be able to distinguish colors accurately and successfully pass a color blindness test.