Medical Laboratory Scientist / Medical Laboratory Technician

Navajo Preference Employment Act

In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an Affirmative Action Plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. Pursuant to this Plan and corresponding TCRHCC Policy, applicants who meet the necessary qualifications for this position and (1) are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position, (2) are legally married to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and meet residency requirements will be given secondary preference, and (3) are enrolled members of other federally-recognized American Indian Tribes will be given tertiary preference.
Overview

POSITION SUMMARY

The Medical Laboratory Technician - Medical Laboratory Scientist performs specimen processing, testing, and reporting of test results in compliance with regulatory requirements, policy and procedures, and the TCRHCC's goal of providing quality patient care. The position is in the laboratory that provides sub-specialties of service in a hospital setting, chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, blood bank, microbiology, and clinical microscopy. The laboratory provides 24- hour coverage and rotates day, evening, or night shifts, weekends, holidays and occasional overtime.

Qualifications

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

• High school diploma, AND
• At least 60 semester hours including:
  • 6 hours chemistry
  • 6 hours biology
  • 12 hours laboratory science, OR
• Completion of an approved military laboratory training program

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

• Bachelor's degree in chemical, biology, or clinical laboratory science, AND
• At least 48 semester hours of science coursework including:
  • Twelve (12) semester hours of chemistry must include general, organic, or biochemistry
  • Twelve (12) semester hours of biology; must include general, molecular/cell/genetics
  • Twenty-four (24) semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory science or technology in any combination

License/Certification:

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

• Certification required with 18 months of hire
• Acceptable certifications: Medical Laboratory Technician from AMT, ASCP (or other nationally recognized certification agency consistent with CLIA requirements)
• Certification must be maintained in active status for the duration of employment.
• Must maintain continuing education (CE) per certifying body

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

• Certification required with 18 months of hire
• Acceptable certifications: Medical Laboratory Scientist/ Medical Technologist or Specialist from AMT, ASCP (or other nationally recognized certification agency consistent with CLIA requirements)
• Certification must be maintained in active status for the duration of employment.
• Must maintain continuing education (CE) per certifying body

Experience:

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

• Minimum of six (6) months of clinical laboratory experience across core areas (chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and blood bank). Experience may be obtained through accredited clinical training and must align with CLIA-defined scope of practice, including moderate complexity testing and supervised participation in high complexity testing.

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

• Minimum of one (1) year of clinical laboratory experience, including rotations in each of these areas: blood bank, microbiology, chemistry, and hematology. Experience may be obtained through accredited clinical rotations or professional work experience.

Other Skills and Abilities (MLT- MLS):

A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. A successful interview exhibiting an overall outstanding performance. All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas:

• Reliable attendance and professional conduct
• Ability to write and follow written and verbal instructions
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure
• Basic computer literacy (email, EHR, LIS)
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work safely with infectious/biological material and chemicals
• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints
• Ability to take initiative, apply teamwork principles and builds rapport with others
• Possess technical skills and understand how to operate complex equipment
• Successful completion of reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers. References must confirm a history of satisfactory performance and the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, including fingerprint clearance, physical examination, and any additional screenings required by TCRHCC. These screenings must confirm that the applicant is qualified and able to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Submission of all required employment documents, including the application, résumé, references, and any other requested information. All submitted information must be accurate, complete, and free of false or misleading statements, as determined by TCRHCC

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical:

This position requires prolonged (3/4 workday) ability of dexterous skill; handle tools effectively such as needles and precise laboratory instruments; simple and firm grasping; and use of keyboards. The incumbent must have the ability to frequently (at least ½ workday) sit, stand, walk, bend, maintain balance, and reach. This job also requires the occasionally (less than ¼ day) to kneel, climb, crouch, and twist, and drive. The position requires prolonged ability to lift; and push/pull frequently up to 34 pounds. The incumbent must possess the stamina to manage working on their feet for long periods. This position requires the ability for prolonged use of far vision; near vision; color vision; depth perception; seeing fine details; hearing norm speech; and hearing overhead pages. The incumbent must have the ability to frequently use the telephone.

Mental:

Incumbent must have good analytical judgment, ability to work under pressure, attention to detail and follow instructions to perform the correct tests or procedures. This position requires incumbent to possess technical skills and understand how to operate complex machinery. Incumbent must have the ability to prioritize and coordinate a variety of issues while being frequently interrupted. The incumbent needs to be able to communicate effectively and with tact in stressful situations. This position requires prolonged mental and emotional requirements to cope with high level of stress; make decisions under high pressure; manage altercations; concentrate; handle a high degree of flexibility; handle multiple priorities; demonstrate a high degree of patience; adapt to shift work; work in areas that are close and crowded. The incumbent must be able to frequently work alone.

Environmental:

This position involves prolonged exposure to infectious diseases, chemical agents, dust, fumes, gases, extremes in temperature and humidity, hazardous or moving equipment, and loud noises. This includes the following work with blood borne pathogens, pathogenic organisms, and operating laboratory equipment. Incumbent must be able to don and doff PPE equipment as needed to complete the task at hand.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Medical Laboratory Technician

1. Performs moderate complexity testing
2. Participates in high complexity testing under supervision
3. Follows SOPs and escalates abnormal results
4. Performs QC, calibration, and maintenance
5. Documents and reports results per policy

Medical Laboratory Scientist

1. Performs moderate and high complexity testing independently
2. Interprets complex results and resolves discrepancies
3. Provides advanced troubleshooting
4. Conducts method validation under direction of Technical Supervisor
5. Provides technical oversight and guidance
6. Participates in audits and corrective actions

Shared Essential Functions (MLT & MLS)

1. Adhere to all testing policies and procedures
2. Ensure test systems operate within acceptable performance limits
3. Perform and document: Quality control/ Calibration/ Maintenance/ Corrective actions
4. Participate in proficiency testing programs
5. Report results in accordance with CLIA-defined scope and laboratory policy, including appropriate review and authorization when required
6. Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant result reporting, including review and verification, and critical value notification
7. Follow document control procedures
8. Participate in occurrence/incident reporting
9. Support root cause analysis and corrective actions
10. Participate in continuous quality improvement (CQI)
11. Recognize and escalate critical values per laboratory policy
12. Review test system performance indicators (e.g., QC, flags, alerts) prior to result reporting
13. Comply with process improvement initiatives
14. Maintain compliance with risk management practices
15. Follow OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
16. Adhere to CDC Standard Precautions
17. Use required Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
18. Maintain safe handling of biohazardous and chemical materials
19. Communicate clearly with providers and staff
20. Support clinical decision-making through accurate lab data
21. Maintain strict confidentiality (HIPAA compliance)
22. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
23. Proficiency in LIS/EHR systems
24. Ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment
25. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
26. All laboratory activities are performed in accordance with approved and current policies and procedures under document control, ensuring only the most recent versions are used in practice