Medical Lab Technician III

Job Summary

The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) provides laboratory services for both inpatient and outpatient populations. The MLT ensures excellent quality in laboratory testing and accurate forms of analysis that improve patient outcomes. Performs routine testing that ensures fast, precise information for patient diagnosis and treatment. All responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the mission, vision, and strategic imperatives of Lexington Medical Center.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: Associate's Degree from a college/university accredited by a recognized regional or national accreditation agency
Minimum Years of Experience: 3 Years of clinical laboratory experience as a certified MLT(ASCP)
Substitutable Education & Experience: None
Required Certifications/Licensure: Successful completion of a NAACLS accredited MLT program;  Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathologist (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) or an equivalent state or governmental certification.
Required Training:  None

Essential Functions

• The Medical Laboratory Technician performs the following:       
  • Manual laboratory testing (no or little automation).       
  • Automated laboratory testing (requiring instrumentation to complete).    
  • Collection of specimens: May be required to perform venipuncture to include capillary punctures for blood specimens from patients of various ages requiring developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Performs established laboratory testing according to accreditation requirements and LMC Laboratory established procedures.
• Exhibits the knowledge and expertise in the following job duties:      
  • Evaluate specimen preparation and handling for test analysis.     
  • Select, perform, evaluate, and monitor the performance of test procedures using manual and /or instrumental techniques.         
  • Conduct quality control procedures on equipment and reagents and reviews and interpret results for acceptability. Perform basic troubleshooting to correct problems.  
  • Perform independently all testing assigned and multi-task as necessary.    
  • Meet and exceed productivity in laboratory testing; promote teamwork among coworkers.             
  • Recognize and react to indicators of malfunctions; locates and implement corrections; verify correct instrument operation using protocols and quality control checks.   
  • Recognize normal and abnormal values; evaluate and correlate data with other test results/diagnosis and report results and problems to appropriate individuals as necessary.             
  • Maintain instruments to include daily, weekly, and periodic maintenance as assigned.  
  • Identify the causes of common problems and make simple repairs; perform  troubleshooting of selected equipment, communicate with service, and relay appropriate  information.             
  • Maintain proper records for quality control reports, etc.; review such documents as  abnormal results, overdue logs/pending logs and take appropriate action.    
  • Perform correct notification of abnormal results per policy.      
  • Perform additional assignments independently as assigned by the supervisor.   
  • Train new employees/students as assigned.        
  • Achieve and maintain competency for waived, moderate and potentially selected high  complexity testing. Competency is evaluated semi-annually the first year of hire and annually thereafter.
• Works with others (e.g. coworkers, nurses and physicians and other healthcare workers, laboratory and hospital administration, patients and families) in a teamwork approach that promotes/encourages each person’s contributions toward achieving optimal goals.
• Informs other personnel of circumstances that may affect the quality of testing and takes the responsibility to initiate appropriate follow-up.
• Notifies appropriate personnel of critical test results or results that are deemed “alert” values.
• If interpretation or explanation of test results is sought, the MLT takes the responsibility that the appropriate information is given or referred to a supervisor/pathologist.
• Courteous and accurate in all communications and follows LMC confidentiality policies.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Demonstrates the ability to facilitate learning for coworkers, students, and other members of the health care team and community. This could include both formal and informal facilitation of learning.
• Maintains established continuing education requirements for national certification and for MLT LMC level requirements.
• Possesses sensitivity to recognize, appreciate, and incorporate differences into the provision of care. Differences may include, but are limited to, cultural differences, spiritual beliefs, gender, race, ethnicity, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, age and values.
• Demonstrates clinical reasoning and informed experiential knowledge and skill.
• Exhibit initiative and leadership skills in problems solving and independent decision-making.
• Ensure Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals are discarded, stored, and managed with other compatible waste streams in containers that are properly labeled and closed prior to being shipped offsite for proper disposal.  Initial RCRA training is received within 6 months of the hire date and continuing with annual RCRA training.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.