Medical Laboratory Technician

For more than 50 years, the mission of CHI Health Missouri Valley has been to nurture and enhance the quality of life for residents of Harrison County in Iowa. As a community hospital, its ongoing commitment is to keep residents in good health. Through the years, CHI Health Missouri Valley has strived to improve the health status of southwest Iowa residents – children, teens, adults, senior citizens, friends and neighbors. CHI Health Missouri Valley is proud to offer health care services – close to home – within this community.

** Up to $5,000 Sign on Bonus **
** Up to $10,000 Educational Assistance **

JOB SUMMARY / PURPOSE 

Performs moderately complex to highly complex and specialized clinical laboratory tests/analyses using manual or automated techniques to obtain data for use in the diagnosis, management and treatment of disease/injury. Specific areas of accountability may include one, or a combination of, the following disciplines: transfusion service, microbiology, chemistry, coagulation, hematology, immunology, and urinalysis. Work includes 1) pretesting and processing samples, 2) performing, analyzing, interpreting, and confirming tests, 3) documenting and delivering timely test results and 4) operating and maintaining standard Lab instrumentation and equipment. 

Given the critical importance of test results to patient care and clinical outcomes, an incumbent is accountable for ensuring the accuracy of test results and related analyses based on adherence to established standards, procedures and regulatory requirements for test analysis, quality control, quality assurance, safety, blood-borne pathogen/infection control, specimen handling/processing and documenting/reporting patient results. While controls may affect certain decision –making opportunities, an incumbent is expected to exercise sound judgment to monitor, control, and assess tests conditions, specimen quality, chemical/biologic reactions, and instrument function. An MLT is expected to seek advice from a Tech-in-Charge or an MT when the ability to resolve a problem is limited by training or experience. 

Work requires knowledge of the major disciplines of laboratory practice (e.g. blood bank, chemistry, hematology, coagulation, immunology, urinalysis, and microbiology). An incumbent applies knowledge of scientific principles and theory to determine the causes or possible significance of abnormalities and departures from the norm when test results do not conform to expectations. 

Incumbents are also accountable for: 1) meeting technical training requirements, 2) maintaining awareness of procedure changes, 3) updating knowledge, skills and applying those competencies, and 4) following department standards for excellence. 

ESSENTIAL KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Performs pretesting and processing samples (Pre-Analytic).

• Phlebotomy 
• Evaluates laboratory orders and specimens and test samples for appropriateness. 
• Processes specimens according to department protocol. Requests additional specimens/samples to replace compromised material. 
• Ensures proper labeling and storage of all specimens. 
• Prepares and stains slides of specimen material for microscopic examination and evaluation. 

Performs, analyzes, interprets, and confirms testing of samples (Analytic). 

• Performs testing in the general lab. 
• Performs microbiology procedures to include culture set-up, MIC and/or sensitivity set-up; automated blood cultures, gram stain and special stain interpretations, rapid test kit testing and interpretation, PCR testing/interpretation, O&P and virology setups. 
• Performs transfusion service testing such as ABORH, antibody screens, antibody identification, antigen phenotyping, compatibility testing, prenatal testing, and investigation of adverse reactions. 
• Prepares and modifies components (FFP, platelet apheresis, cryoprecipitate) for transfusion ● Recognizes and addresses unexpected test reactions, errors and discrepancies; identifies technical, instrumental or physiologic causes of problems (e.g. test conditions, chemical reactions, instrument function, patient variables, interfering drugs). 
• Operates complex automated equipment and/or laboratory computer systems to perform designated tests. 
• Records test data, makes calculations, compares laboratory results with normal values and investigates atypical results to determine cause. 
• Applies basic understanding of methodology used to check the accuracy of analytical results obtained by different methods. 
• If assigned to Microbiology: May read plates/cultures and reports susceptibility findings. 

Evaluates and reports patient results for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease for patients of all ages (Post-Analytic). 

• Issues blood to the clinical unit. 
• Prepares and packs coolers for the transport of blood components 
• Verifies and finalizes test results, evaluates collected laboratory data, and produces and distributes test results. 
• Utilizes computer systems and databases in the performance of job duties, including looking up patient information and entering testing data/results. 
• Reviews, communicates any Quality Assurance concern (QIM). 
• Consults with management and medical staff concerning difficult or unusual data or results. 
• MLT may act as a resource for other laboratory personnel as well as for “external customers” such as physicians, and patient care staff. 
• May assist in developing the skills of new employees and students by providing on-the-job training and orientation. 
• Prior to end of shift, ensure that the pending reports are clean and that both written and verbal communication to the oncoming shift is completed and documented. 

Performs and evaluates quality control to ensure quality patient care. 

• Performs quality control activities to include testing, validation of results, and look backs. 
• Detects and troubleshoots test systems and identifies problems that could adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and takes appropriate action. 
• Determines validity of patient test sample value(s) based on testing of quality control materials. 
• May participate in new methods development & evaluation of new equipment. 
• Works to improve processes. 

Maintains standard laboratory instrumentation and equipment. 

• Sets up and adjusts laboratory equipment and apparatus appropriate for the designated test(s). 
• Regularly cleans, performs/documents routine maintenance and calibrates instruments and equipment. 
• Troubleshoots test systems and identifies problems that could adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and takes appropriate action. 
• Certifies and corrects equipment/instrumentation malfunction within designated scope of responsibility 
• Maintains appropriate levels of supplies and reagents. 

Performs related duties as required. 

The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Required Education and Experience 

• Associate’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological or other life science, OR completion of an accredited MLT/MT program. 
• One year of related clinical laboratory experience that would demonstrate attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities is preferred. International education will be evaluated for equivalency. 

Required Licensure and Certifications 

• National certification with ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology), AMT (American Medical Technologists) or Certification with the US. Department of Health and Human Services as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist or registry-eligible at date of hire. 
• For new graduates, if not held at date of hire, one-time national certification must be obtained within the first six months of employment.