Medical Laboratory Scientist

Overview

Using formal and clinical education, with high degree of ethical behavior to perform manual and automated laboratory tests in the ARH Reference Laboratory to provide the highest quality of clinical information for the diagnosis, treatment and health maintenance provided by ARH, its clinical customers and patients.

Responsibilities

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)  or Medical Technologist (MT), will;

• processes specimens for testing,
• Uses the laboratory information system to register patients, enter orders for testing, determine medical necessity and look up results and direct reports to the appropriate entities,
• discards specimens when testing is complete or lifespan is reach,
• performs CLIA Waived, Moderate and High complexity specimen testing and reports results of testing once trained and competency is signed as satisfactory,
• contacts specimen collector for information, as needed and appropriate within HIPPA,
• maintain clean orderly, well stocked work environment,
• handle and process specimens and paperwork as instructed in written instruction in conjunction with verbal instruction,
• conducts chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, and spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal and abnormal components,
• analyzes laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results,
• enters data from analysis of medical tests and clinical results into computer for storage,
• operates, calibrates and maintains equipment used in quantitative and qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, and computer-controlled analyzers,
• establishes and monitors quality assurance programs and activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results, sets up, cleans, and maintains laboratory equipment,
• provides technical information about test results to physicians, family members and researchers, 
• supervises, trains, and directs lab assistants, medical and clinical laboratory technicians and technologists and other medical laboratory workers engaged in laboratory testing, 
• studies blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, using microscopic techniques,
• assist in creating and maintaining written documentation, instructions and policies applicable to the ARH reference laboratory, 
• analyzes samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction,
• ensures completion of ordered testing in accordance with ARH written instruction or policy, industry best practices and clinician order,
• and other duties as assigned.

The Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)  or Medical Technologist (MT) not;  enter test results for testing they did not perform, and order testing without clean and specific clinician order.

Qualifications

Education: 

• Education: Clinical Laboratory Scientists/Medical Technologists have a 4-year academic and clinical degree (Bachelorette) or the equivalent to qualify for certification as a CLS or MT.
• Licensing: Certification as a Medical Technologist (MT) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) by ASCP, AAB, AMT or the equivalent preferred on hire; required within 12 months,
• Training and experience: Unless otherwise indicated, one year of current experience within the last three years in a comparable job classification required.

Minimum Work

Experience:  

• Function as a General Laboratory Supervisor, to include, but not limited to the following.
• Be available for consultant by phone on in person to all healthcare personnel
• Provide technical oversight to CLT and TLA personnel
• Provide emergency leadership within the laboratory for the following, but not limited to, situations, in the absence of the Laboratory Administrator/Director or their designee.
•  Site emergency covered by and ARH Life Safety SOP
•  Obtain staff coverage when receiving notification of anabsence
• Failure of testing or environmental instrumentation

• Prepare culture media, chemicals, reagents and solutions, as appropriate to ARH position function.
• Perform bacteriologic, microscopic and chemical laboratory tests and examinations to obtain data for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, as appropriate to ARH position function.
• Use automated equipment and instruments capable of performing simultaneous testing including microscopes, cell counters and other lab equipment.
• Perform simple and complex mathematical calculations, as appropriate to ARH position function.
• Analyze results and communicate findings to the appropriate health care provider.
• Record findings in accordance with established policies, procedures and regulations.
• Perform and monitor quality control programs. 
• Maintain inventory of supplies, material and equipment.
• Maintain and clean equipment and instruments as per established procedures and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Responsible for performing tasks that are within the scope of his/her educational preparation, knowledge and permitted by the policies and procedures of Supplemental Health Care, and other local, state, and federal guidelines; and the policies of the facility requesting the services.
• Educated on and compliant with HIPAA regulations; maintains strict confidentiality of client information.
• Complies with Infection Control, Standard Precautions and OSHA standards for the healthcare professional.
• Able to wear personal protective equipment (e.g., face mask, goggles, latex/non-latex gloves) as needed.
• Ability to work effectively within role independently and with other team members.
• Ability to organize and complete work in a timely manner.
• Ability to understand medical/surgical terminology.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Ability to read, write and effectively communicate in English
• Completion of an accredited Medical Laboratory Technologist (MT) program.
• Current certification as a CLS/MT
• Give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Use scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Conduct tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality of performance.
• Speak to others to convey information effectively.
• Identify complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions that will help their job finction.