POSITION SUMMARY
The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) performs routine and complex laboratory testing on patient specimens utilizing established laboratory procedures and quality standards. The MLS is responsible for specimen analysis, quality control, instrument maintenance, result reporting, and compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements. The MLS plays a critical role in supporting accurate diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients.
POSITION SUMMARY EXPANDED:
Under the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act, (“The Unity Bill”) this position is considered a “Safety-sensitive position. “Safety-sensitive” is defined to include “any job that includes tasks or duties that could affect the safety and health of the employee performing the task or others.” Employees working in “safety-sensitive” roles are subject to this exception and subject to disciplinary action in the event of a positive test for marijuana or its metabolites.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, or related laboratory science from an accredited program required.
- Previous clinical laboratory experience preferred.
- New graduates from accredited MLS programs may be considered.
- Ability to operate and handle many kinds of complex equipment.
- Ability to demonstrate clinical competence and maintain current knowledge in caring for pediatric through geriatric patients.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- 2 years previous hospital experience preferred.
- Emergency Room experience preferred.
- **Required educational levels call for proof at time of hire.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), or
- Medical Technologist (MT) certification through ASCP, AMT, or equivalent recognized certification agency BLS
- *Proof of all required License(s) and Certification(s) is due at time of hire.
QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)
- BLS certification required upon hire and throughout employment.
- ACLS certification required within 30 days of hire and throughout employment.
- PALS certification preferred.
- Demonstrates initiative, ability to work with others, and professional judgement.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITES
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Performs laboratory testing in assigned areas including chemistry, hematology, coagulation, microbiology, immunology, urinalysis, blood bank, and other laboratory disciplines as authorized.
- Collects, receives, processes, and evaluates patient specimens for testing.
- Ensures specimen integrity and verifies proper patient identification.
- Performs quality control procedures and documents results according to laboratory standards.
- Operates, calibrates, maintains, and troubleshoots laboratory instruments and equipment.
- Reviews, interprets, and reports test results accurately and within established turnaround times.
- Identifies abnormal or critical values and follows established notification procedures.
- Participates in proficiency testing and quality improvement activities.
- Maintains compliance with CLIA, CAP, Joint Commission, OSHA, CMS, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
- Assists in maintaining laboratory records, logs, and documentation.
- Follows infection prevention, safety, and hazardous materials procedures.
- Assists with orientation and training of laboratory personnel and students as assigned.
- Maintains confidentiality of patient information in accordance with HIPAA requirements.
- Participates in continuing education and competency assessment activities.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Exposure to bloodborne pathogens, infectious materials, chemicals, and laboratory hazards.
- May be required to work weekends, holidays, evenings, nights, call shifts, or rotating schedules based on departmental needs.
- Knowledge of laboratory principles, procedures, and quality assurance practices.
- Knowledge of laboratory instrumentation and troubleshooting techniques.
- Ability to perform complex testing with accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to prioritize workload and manage multiple tasks effectively.
- Ability to communicate professionally with physicians, nurses, patients, and coworkers.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
- Knowledge of applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Seek out external resources through conferences, workshops, etc. as necessary.
- Share professional knowledge with hospital staff, board members, and administrators.
- Comply with HIPAA regulatory requirements.
- Adhere to the companies/facilities philosophy, mission, and policies and procedures.
- Support the facility goals and objectives.
- Maintains a good attendance record and follows all facility rules, policies and procedures.
- Maintains open and effective communication with patients and their nurses, physicians, peers, supervisors, and students. Establishes and maintains excellent interdepartmental and interpersonal relationships.
- Attend departmental meetings and in-services to stay current with the developments of the department and facility.
- Observes that proper safety measures are enforced in the techniques used on patients receiving therapy. Maintains high safety standards in the facility.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
- Demonstrates active listening techniques.
- Gains support through effective relationships.
- Treats others with dignity and respect; seeks feedback.
- Demonstrates honesty and integrity at all times in care and use of patient and facility property.
- Demonstrates and understands the importance of and respect for the rights, dignity and individuality of each patient in all interactions.
- Demonstrates respect for co-workers and responds to the needs of patients by complying with facility policies.
REASONING ABILITY
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instruction furnished in written, oral, and/or diagram form.
- Ability to define and solve problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in statistical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- English is the primary language.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
- Ability to interpret reports, business correspondence, and policy/procedure manuals.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Ability to compute ratio, percent, rate, as well as the ability to create and interpret graphs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to work inside a clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated laboratory. While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may be exposed to some hazards such as radiation, bodily fluids that may contain disease, and fumes from laboratory chemicals.
Note
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.
