LAB TECHNICAL SPECIALIST - Covenant Health

Laboratory Technical Specialist

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Microbiology Technical Specialist position with hours from 6a-2:30p with rotating weekends.

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is an award-winning, certified, and accredited facility with 541 beds. As a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center, Fort Sanders offers state-of-the art care that maximizes recovery from stroke.  We are also the region’s leader in technology in areas such as bariatric surgery, robotic surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery. Our door-to-balloon times for heart attack patients are below the national average, and our hip fracture center offers advanced diagnosis, surgery and recovery procedures for hip patients.

FSRMC Laboratory is a high volume lab with a family feel.  FSRMC performs >2 million tests per year.  Being a part of a large health system and being the primary reference lab for our system of 9 hospitals you will have the ability to see a wide array of patient and specimen types that can be challenging and exciting at the same time.  Aside from the everyday tests that most labs perform we are also capable of performing mycology, antibody investigations in blood bank, infectious disease testing and many special chemistry tests. 

We have state of the art instruments that include the Ortho Vision, Beckman Cellavision, Roche Cobas Pros, Beckman DXH 900s, Vitek 2, Cepied GenXpert, Beckman Iris, Stago Compact Maxs and many others.  Our patient population includes complex cancer patients, high risk OB/GYN patients, infectious disease patients and open heart patients.  We also have the privilege of being a part of a Primary Stroke Center which allows us to play an integral role in helping save precious brain function of stroke victims.

Position Summary:

Responsible for technical and scientific oversight of his/her specialty or section within the laboratory.  Provides guidance in problem-solving and troubleshooting in organization, implementation, and technical performance of diagnostic procedures within the section.  Must also meet job requirements of either the Medical Technologist or Laboratory Technologist.

Recruiter: Jennifer Gordon || jgordon2@covhlth.com || 865-374-8107

• Selects test methodology appropriate for the clinical use of test results. These decisions are made in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager and Medical Director.
• Schedules and coordinates work activities of employees working in respective area.
• Prepares documentation for discipline or commendation for review by Lab Manager.
• Verifies test procedures performed and establishes the test performance characteristics, including the precision and accuracy of each test and system.
• Enrolls and participates in an approved proficiency testing program commensurate with the services offered. Maintains proficiency testing records and ensures that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.
• In conjunction with Laboratory Manager and Medical Director, establishes a quality control program appropriate for the tests performed and establishes the parameters for acceptable levels of analytic performance. Ensures that these levels are maintained throughout the entire testing process.
• Implements and adheres to the Laboratory quality control policies, documents all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performance. Reviews and evaluates data on a routine basis. Prepares monthly QC report for pathologist review.  Performs correlation and comparison studies.
• Ensures that patient results are not reported until all corrective actions have been taken and the test system is functioning properly.
• Identifies training needs and assures that each individual performing tests receives appropriate, regular in-service training.
• Resolves technical problems and ensures that remedial actions are taken whenever test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications, and documents all actions. Operates, maintains and troubleshoots department equipment.
• Evaluates the competency of all testing personnel and assures that competency is maintained, including direct observation, monitoring of test results, review of intermediate records, assessment of test performance and problem-solving skills, etc.
• Oversees and assists with the training of all employees and students in respective departments.
• Performs all responsibilities of testing personnel in his/her section as required.
• Composes new procedures and, performs annual review/revision of sections technical procedural manuals. Has Laboratory Medical Director approve changes.
• Provides clinical consultation and/or evaluation pertaining to interpretation and clinical evaluation of laboratory tests and procedures.
• Ensures an adequate inventory of supplies and reagents necessary for timely performance of all required testing.
• Performs review and interpretation for tests sent to reference laboratories.
• Prepares and submits new test formats, and changes to existing tests to the LIS specialist.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested by Laboratory Manager or Pathologists, i.e. relieves and assists with daily operational duties of department.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.

Minimum Education: 

None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.

Minimum Experience:

None

Licensure Requirement:

Must be licensed as a Medical Technologist by the State of Tennessee.

Physical Requirements:

Must successfully pass color blindness test