Statement of Purpose:
This Lead Tech position is the most demanding Lead Tech position in the Laboratory. This job encompasses the QC, correlation, and periodic review of over 100 analytes performed on as many as five analyzers. This entails daily review of QC for every analyte tested and any issues remediated immediately.
This is a professional position for experienced staff involving responsibility for evaluating, planning, performing all major tasks, duties and responsibility of the Medical Laboratory Technologist under the direction of the Administrative Director of Laboratory. This is a senior leadership role with student supervision, outstanding skills, specialization in clinical practice and a resource to other professionals. In addition, assists in management and coordination of all activities relating to provision of quality patient care within the Laboratory. Lead Technologist may perform the duties of supervisor of the laboratory during the absence of the Administrative Director of Laboratory. Performance of this position will be re-evaluated annually by the Administrative Director. All the listed qualifications must be met in order to maintain the position.
MAJOR TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- The remediation process includes the following review for each of the over 100 analytes: review of current reagent lot number and expiration date, peer review of our current reagent lot and expiration, review of calibrator lot number and expiration date, acceptable calibration duration, current QC review and peer QC review (for trends), analyzer maintenance review, and review of any technical updates from chemistry and Blood Gas analyzer manufactures. Then if QC ranges need adjusted, then the Lead Technologist must go into the analyzer computer and Meditech to update any range changes for the current lot of Quality Control Material. Currently we use over 10 different QC materials.
The Lead Technologist will on a monthly basis report on the following: Any QC issues, analyzer issues, in-lab peer performance reviews, analyzer maintenance, analyzer periodic maintenance performed by field service engineers, proficiency testing, and proficiency grades for all analytes. Of the 39 annual proficiencies received from NYS DOH alone, 22 of them are for Chemistry alone.
Every 6 months the Lead Technologist must make sure that all of the over 100 analytes that do not have a 6 point calibrators will have linearity studies performed. This involves scheduling the linearity studies, ordering the kits to arrive prior to the linearity due date, performing the linearity testing, submission of the linearity data to EP evaluator (or current vendor), review of EP evaluator data reports, and investigation of any failed linearity studies. Again, this review would encompass all of the above steps used for the remediation for QC issue.
The Lead Technologist is responsible for the repairs and maintenance for all five of the analyzers in their department. Whenever there is a problem with any of the analyzers, the Lead Technologist (if working) will trouble shoot the problem with the analyzer’s service people via telephone. If the problem cannot be resolved using suggestions via the phone, then the Lead Technologist will schedule the Field Service Engineer to come ASAP to fix the analyzer. The Lead Technologist will then let Administration and all of the patient care areas know if there will be any delays in reporting of any Chemistry or Blood Gas results. They will inform Administration and the patient care areas that it is due to an analyzer being shut down due to issues. If no backup analyzer is available to perform any of the tests performed on the down analyzer, the Lead Technologist will put in place an alternative method to get any STAT testing performed. This will entail contacting a nearby hospital to ask if we can courier any STAT testing to them to perform and put in place a method to get the STAT results to the providers. If the Lead Technologist is not working, they may be called in to help with trouble shooting any analyzer issues.
The Lead Technologist is also responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the water filtration system used by the chemistry analyzers. This includes performance and review of daily maintenance, ordering and replacing smaller filters, ordering larger filters and scheduling PM’s with the field service engineers every 6 months.
- Helps develop and oversees the Quality Control Program for all analytes tested for in the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments.
- Develops new and updates annually all policies in Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments as required to ensure compliance with New York State regulations and JCAHO standards.
- Will be trained on, sets up, calibrates, standardizes and teaches any new analytic and testing procedures in the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments to subordinate technicians and medical technologists.
- Monitors and annually reviews all testing personnel for proficiency and compliance of all analytes performed in the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments. This entails performing a patient tracer for all analytes performed in Chemistry and Blood gas for all personnel at their annual review. The Lead Technologist must also observe daily operation and maintenance for all analyzers in their designated departments.
- Completes all non-routine calibration requirements on all analyzers in the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments as needed.
- Completes correlation and linearity studies on all analytes tested in the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments as required by governing agencies.
- Ensures that scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of all equipment in the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments are completed as required.
- Monitors inventory and ordering of reagents and test kits for all Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas testing.
- Completes monthly reports to ensure accuracy and compliance for all personnel and analyzers in the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments.
- Lead Technologist will review, assess, and recommend new equipment as need in the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments.
- Lead Technologist will be available for and participate in any and all inspections performed by governing agencies related to the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments.
- Lead Technologist will review all proficiency challenge results for the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments for accuracy prior to submitting to proficiency agencies.
Lead Technologist will aide in the introduction to all analyzers and testing in the Clinical Chemistry and Blood Gas departments for any students assigned to these departments.
- Reviews all graded proficiency testing for Clinical chemistry and Blood gas. Investigates and reports on any grade less than 100%.
- Works with Administrative Director to investigate new test procedures for Clinical Chemistry and Blood gas departments.
- Oversees training and orientation of laboratory staff on all analyzers and procedures in Clinical Chemistry and Blood gas departments.
- Functions as a resource for all lab clinical areas and hospital policies and procedures.
- When Staffing needs dictate, may work an alternate shift or be scheduled to work on an on-call basis. Employees scheduled on call must report within 30 minutes of receiving a call
- Is responsible for completing and tracking 12 hours of continuing education annually.
- Assists in orientation of new employees, or training current employees in the use of JMH accepted Policies/Procedures.
- Must maintain certification of licensing as required by governing agencies.
DEMONSTRATED BEHAVIORS:
1) Demonstrates and exemplifies Code of Conduct and Ethical Behavior by:
a) Considering first the well-being of the patient.
b) Conducting all interactions with patients, visitors, employees, physicians, volunteers, healthcare providers or any other individuals in a courteous, honest and respectful manner.
c) Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior at all times.
d) Refrain from conduct that may reasonably be considered offensive to others or disruptive to the
workplace or patient care. Offensive conduct may be written, oral or behavioral.
2) Assumes a leadership role to ensure all laboratory personnel working in Chemistry and Blood Gas
departments are following all policies and procedures.
3) All employees are responsible for providing excellent customer service through words and actions that
support our commitment to caring and quality.
4) Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development as demonstrated by attendance at continuing education and in-service programs. Lead must meet all mandatory in-service requirements.
5) Arrives for work on time and as scheduled.
6) Must be knowledgeable and practices safely using infection control, universal precaution and safety
protocols. Uses appropriate universal precautions, infection control practices, along with proper lifting and transfer techniques to promote patient and employee safety.
7) Must be knowledgeable of and complies with hospital policies and procedures.
8) May assist in the promotion of our institution and profession by participation in hospital promotion and
health fair activities.
9) Performs other duties as requested within the scope of applicable licensure, abilities and policies.
10) All employees are responsible for providing excellent customer service through words and actions that
support our commitment to caring and quality.
11) All employees are responsible for creating a culture of employee and patient safety and for ensuring the
highest quality of care for patients throughout JMH.
EDUCATION: Lead Technologist must have a BS or BA in Medical Technology or equivalent. Lead Technologist must have current NYS License and registration as Clinical Laboratory Technologist. National certification (ASCP) preferred.
EXPERIENCE: Lead Technologist must have 6 years of full time experience as a Medical Technologist.
CONTACTS: Daily contact with patients, nurses, physicians, and other personnel as related to the performance of specimen collection, performance, and reporting of laboratory tests. Community contact through health fairs, tours of laboratory, other public talks, or community events.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS: Must be able to use initiative and judgment in organizing and performing the daily workflow, this is often times under stressful conditions. Lead Technologist will be allowed to make limited decisions within the accepted guidelines of institution and departmental policies. Speed and accuracy of decision-making may, at times, be related to the clinical outcome of patients’ condition(s). Job will entail light to moderate lifting. Job will entail close visual attention up to half of the day. Job will entail intermittent standing, walking, and sitting.
EQUIPMENT USED: Lead Technologist will be required to be trained on and proficient on all analyzers in their Lead department. Responsible for assuring all other technical personnel are proficient with the daily operation and maintenance of all analyzers in their lead department. Required to be familiar with the daily operation and maintenance of all other laboratory equipment including, but not limited to, instrumentation in hematology, coagulation, and blood bank. Will also be required to use PC type computer(s) for record and/or test result generation.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Job will entail some exposure to unpleasant sights, sounds, and odors during patient contact. Job will entail continuous exposure to infectious or potentially infectious material (blood and body fluids). Usually, limited exposure to hazardous materials, such as chemicals and/or reagents used in testing procedures. Temperature, humidity, and lighting are usually within tolerable limits for this position.
Location: Jones Memorial Hospital · JMH.LABORATORY EXP
Schedule: Full Time, Days
