GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Medical Laboratory Technician is selected by and reports to the Laboratory Supervisor. Under general supervision, the M.L.T. is responsible to provide technical support in the laboratory. Performs, reviews, and reports routine diagnostic laboratory procedures in all areas of the laboratory. Follows safety and infection control protocol procedures on a daily routine basis in collection and analysis of specimens and maintains equipment and quality assurance record. Performs other duties as assigned to achieve the Performance Improvement Plan, organizational goals and program objectives.
Medical Laboratory Technicians function as a member of a collaborative health care team to create and maintain a Patient Centered Medical Home where emphasis is on excellent communication; support of the patient is provided and tracked in a culturally competent, behaviorally enhanced setting supported by information technology.
Due to the nature of NHHC services, it may become necessary to require employees to work extended hours or other variations of the usual shift to provide adequate care to patient and to maintain services to the community.
CRITICAL JOB ELEMENTS/PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
I. Performs, reviews and reports routine diagnostic laboratory procedures in in all areas of the lab.
1. Technical Procedures: Performs tests included in the in-house test menu.
a. Procedures must be performed within the stated turnaround time and according to Laboratory specifications.
b. Must follow safety and infection control protocol procedures on a daily routine basis in all collection and analysis of specimens.
c. Performs proficiency testing on each test.
d. Finishes daily workload.
e. Prepare samples for reference Laboratories.
f. Must document any complaints or incident reports regarding laboratory results
and procedures; report them to the supervisor to make the proper improvement
and corrective action.
g. Must be cross-trained in all areas of the laboratory.
h. Must learn new procedures added to the list.
2. Reports: Interprets and reports routine diagnostic laboratory procedures in all areas of the laboratory.
a. The report must include electronic initial of the technologist performing the test.
b. Results must be legible, neat and accurate.
c. Reports must include proper comments related to integrity of Specimen.
d. Send corrective reports if needed.
e. Reports will be submitted electronically through the Electronic Medical Records and copy of Reports will be maintained in the Laboratory Information System.
f. Document the panic values in the appropriate log book and obtain signature of Recipient.
g. Review all Reference Lab Results as necessary and deliver them appropriately
h. Contact reference agencies when needed.
3. Quality Control: Performs Quality Improvement Quality Control (QC) Procedures.
a. Performs daily QC on each procedure, keeps information in the computer for one month, print it out and document any problems.
b. Results that do not correlate must be identified, documented and reported to the Laboratory Supervisor.
c. Do not release any results if QC is in out of control situation (established in the policy manual).
d. Troubleshooting of Quality Control.
e. Participate in the inter-laboratory QC as established.
II. Assists in blood collection.
1. Must follow safety and infection control protocol procedures on a daily routine basis in analysis of specimens.
2. Must use three identifiers before blood or specimen collection.
3. Must be available to collect blood upon the phlebotomist’s or supervisor’s request and at different areas of the Clinic, as necessary.
4. There must be no more than two valid complaints per year from patients, providers regarding technique.
5. Must not perform more than two venipunctures on the same patient 95% of the time.
6. Prepare and instruct patient for specimen collection.
III. Maintains equipment and quality assurance records:
1. Must perform daily, weekly, monthly maintenance on equipment assigned.
2. Must record these procedures in the appropriate logs.
3. Must notify Lab Supervisor and document any problems or troubleshooting with instruments.
4. Must maintain the working area clean, disinfected and organized at all times.
5. Must keep record of refrigerator and freezer temperatures.
6. Must keep reagents logs.
7. Must calibrate all laboratory instruments as indicated in the manufacturer’s manual.
8. Must follow Performance Improvement practices as stated in the policy manual.
9. Must be able to understand lab computer operations.
IV. The MLT must greet patients, co-workers, and general public in a courteous manner.
V. The MLT must respect the patient's rights and responsibilities established within the clinic.
VI. The MLT must enhance Customer Satisfaction daily. Appropriate policies must be followed. Complaint investigations must be performed and appropriate corrective actions.
VII. Must be professional in dealing with patients and the public via personal and telephone contacts. Demonstrate positive attitude towards patients with good eye contact, pleasant voice, attentive and responsive to their needs.
VIII. The MLT must gain and understand knowledge of PCMH model, PCMH principles, policies, and procedures.
IX. The MLT must follow a systematic process to: Communicate with staff, with other departments, with regulatory agencies, and with outside entities to assure that patients have a pleasant and satisfactory experience in the manner in which their health care is delivered, managed and coordinated, while the patient participates in the decision-making. Must communicate and document problems that occur with patients, providers and other departments.
X. Follow safety rules at all times as they are explained in the Laboratory Safety and Exposure Control Plan.
XI. MLT must have continuing education program established within the laboratory.
XII. Must follow all HIPAA regulations.
XIII. It is mandatory that Employee participate in Performance Improvement projects aimed at improving patient care, outcomes, and efficiency.
XIV. The MLT must maintain the Standard of Patient Care by following job duties and responsibilities within scope of practice and in accordance with Regulatory Agencies, PCMH and according to NHHC needs.
XV. The MLT will work closely with Supervisor, Providers and Staff to productively serve the patient, maximize patient care and assures that patients receive the services needed.
XVI. Employee must abide by Employee Handbook, Safety Policies, Laboratory Manual and Code of Conduct.
XVII. Must abide by dress code policy in order to maintain a professional and neat appearance. (For details refer dress code policy in Employee Handbook).
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Education:
- Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from an accredited school.
- Current MLT Registry preferred.
- Valid Driver’s License and transportation.
Experience:
- Two years experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to communicate in English and Spanish.
- Must be able to inform Lab Supervisor in advance of absences.
- Clerical ability is required to accurately record, compare test results, and work with lab computers.
- Ability to take corrective actions in solving problems to identify dimensions of a problem, determine potential causes and specifies alternative solutions.
- Ability to maintain a mature attitude while dealing with interpersonal conflicts, disruptions, time demands and high workload.
- Ability to be polite and courteous with patients and co-workers and maintain a professional appearance.
- Ability to be cooperative with coworkers and build team relationships.
- Ability to organize work.
- CPR-BLS certification must be kept current.
- Ability to follow safety standard procedures of laboratory, correct and report deficiencies.
- Ability to adjust quickly to change in work methods, procedures and new assignments.
