Medical Laboratory Scientist

Medical Laboratory Scientist-Primary Care Associates

Summary:
Position requires a working knowledge of routine chemistry, hematology and urinalysis procedures, serology testing, qualitative real-time PCR tests and microscopic examination. It includes quality control on all procedures as well as the recording and interpreting of results. Perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment when necessary.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Perform waived and moderate-complexity patient laboratory testing.
• Perform calibration on laboratory equipment to ensure the accuracy of instrumentation.
• Perform background count and run three levels of hematology and immunoassay controls to ensure proper instrument functioning.
• Perform and record two levels of chemistry and ESR controls to ensure reagent integrity and proper instrument functioning.
• Perform and record quality control on qualitative PCR test.
• Perform and record two levels of urine controls to ensure dipstick quality.
• Perform and record serology controls.
• Monitor and record refrigerator, freezer, humidity, and room temperatures to ensure no temperature fluctuations.
• Participate in proficiency testing, CAP (College of American Pathologists) surveys and API (American Proficiency Institute) to meet regulatory requirements and to monitor laboratory performance and accuracy.
• Perform microscopic techniques and procedures.
• Process patient samples for testing.
• Analysis of critical lab results and when to notify the providers.
• Determine specimen validity and integrity prior to testing.
• Interpret, evaluate, and verify test results.
• Resolve inconsistent patient results and document appropriately.
• Inform the providers or clinics of recollection if a specimen is unsuitable for testing.
• Maintain and perform scheduled, unscheduled maintenance and troubleshooting on lab analyzers and equipment when necessary and proper documentation.
• Perform calibration verification every six month on lab equipment.
• Provide support to other lab staff when there is a test in question for send out specimen.
• Maintain appropriate communication and good interpersonal skills with manager, staff, and providers, to ensure coordinated efforts and provision of high-quality service.
• Communicate directly with the department supervisor or manager to report concerns, personal requests, and patient issues.
• Maintain an orderly and professional working environment.
• Report to work properly dressed according to approved dress code.
• Adhere to department guidelines concerning scheduled working hours and break periods.
• Good communication skills with providers, colleagues, patients and provide customer service when question arises pertaining to laboratory testing and procedures.
• Participate in laboratory quality assessment by proper documentation on laboratory logs and checklists.
• Activate laboratory orders from patient electronic health record through laboratory information system (LIS).
• Ensure lab orders are crossing over to LIS to prevent incomplete lab testing.
• Verify laboratory test results in the computer system.
• Monitor and maintain lab supplies and reagents to avoid unnecessary expedited orders.
• Willingness to travel for training of new lab equipment, if necessary.
• Participate in continuing education programs to update lab skills knowledge.
• Stay current with license and certifications.
• Perform related work and other duties as required and assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of laboratory operation policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable state, federal and regulatory requirements, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of use and maintenance of lab equipment and instruments.
• Knowledge of laboratory processes and medical terminology.
• Knowledge of common safety hazards and precautions to establish a safe work
environment by using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while processing and testing human body fluids and specimens.
• Skills in resolving out of range calibration and quality control results.
• Skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationship with staff and providers.
• Time management skills to accommodate heavy workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to learn laboratory operating procedures.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail oriented and ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to train new lab employee.
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Education:
• Bachelor's Degree in Medical Technology or Medical Laboratory Science. (MT/MLS)
MINIMUM CERTIFICATION/QUALIFICATION
• Medical Technologist or Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP, AMT), or Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Clinical Laboratory Technologist, or equivalent certification (as determined by a national credential certification agency).

Experience and Preferred Qualifications:
• Minimum of one to two years of clinical laboratory experience.
• A combination of training and externship may be counted as laboratory experience.

Work Environment and Conditions:
• Work is performed in a clinical laboratory environment. It involves frequent exposure to communicable disease, toxic substances, blood borne pathogens and other condition common to a laboratory environment.

Mental/Physical Requirements:
• Standing, walking, reaching, bending or body twisting.
• Repetition of the same movements.
• Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds of lab reagents.
• Requires working under pressure during high volume of patient specimens and other requests.

Other Duties:
• This job description may not include all the duties assigned to the lab employee and may be updated and modified by the department manager, according to the operations at any given time.