MLS/MLT, Laboratory - Athol Hospital

Hours: *****************************************

General rotating MLS/MLT to work in all the clinical laboratory areas. The MLS/MLT performs a wide array of laboratory procedures in all departments exercising independent judgment and being involved in evaluation of present procedures. Works closely with supervisors and coworkers to complete patient testing, quality control, correlation studies and special projects. Actively participates in specimen collection procedures. Must have good organizational, communication and interpersonal skills. 

Essential Functions

• Conducts interactions with everyone in a friendly, courteous and respectful manner.
• Goes out of his/her way to offer assistance to others. If he/she cannot offer assistance, then finds someone who can.
• Advocates to ensure privacy and confidentiality while helping others to maintain awareness.
• Maintains a clean and safe hospital.
• Responds appropriately and immediately in emergency situations.
• Maintains a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and/or staff to provide the highest level of physical comfort, and minimize risk and injury.
• Ensures compliance with regulations to maintain accreditation and licensure.
• Complies with the Hospital Attendance and Tardiness Policy.
• Completed all Hospital and Department Specific Mandatory requirements in the prior calendar year.
• Reports Incidents in a timely and effective manner.
• All employees with direct patient contact are responsible for actively engaging in the practice of, monitoring and enforcing compliance to hand hygiene.
• Identifies patient and/or specimens appropriately prior to sample collection or proceeding with analysis
• Performs preventative maintenance on analyzers based on a scheduled regimen as stated in policies and procedures.
• Recognizes, evaluates and is able to resolve instrument errors and malfunctions and notifies the department supervisor.
• Performs, evaluates, and accepts or rejects quality control values based upon stated guidelines; troubleshoots any unacceptable values, utilizing a basic scientific approach to resolve problems and obtain acceptable quality control. Takes appropriate action when controls remain beyond acceptable ranges.
• Analyzes patient and proficiency samples while prioritizing work based upon a status of routine, urgent, or stat to maintain an efficient workflow.
• Notifies clinician of any abnormal results that require immediate attention.
• Communicates any relevant patient information to other healthcare professionals who require the information.
• Performs venipunctures and capillary punctures, when necessary, to obtain blood specimens. Assists in specimen collection when requested.
• Evaluates specimen (s) for acceptability for Laboratory testing and takes appropriate action when specimens are not acceptable.
• Educates patients and co-workers in correct specimen collection procedures; determines quality and acceptability of specimens collected by patients and co-workers.
• Demonstrates good teamwork by providing assistance to co-workers when necessary.
• Adheres to all required safety regulations as stated in policies and procedures.
• Maintains a safe, organized, and clean workstation.
• Assists the supervisor by performing part or all of the supervisor’s duties for short periods of time, in the absence of the supervisor or when the supervisor is not available, so that departmental goals and tasks can be met/exceeded.
• Records/reports area accurate. Pays close attention to required detail when performing all tasks and functions. Performs quality work with accuracy.
• Acquires knowledge through educational in-services or seminars throughout the year. Possesses a comprehensive understanding of technological advances, disease processes, and regulatory matters.
• Retains, applies, and teaches others this knowledge.
• Enters and edits ordering information in the computer system on patients and specimens to maintain accurate records of testing and patient billing.
• Orients and trains new employees and students as assigned by supervisor or manager. Participates in educational activities as an instructor.
• Understands and is able to communicate and teach scientific principles of testing being performed. Uses this knowledge to orient and train new employees and students, and when necessary, assists in the development of curriculum.
• As assigned by the supervisor or manager, coordinates the development of new testing protocols, assuring all necessary connotation studies, normal range calculators, and policies and procedures are developed in a manner to assure accuracy, precision and validity of the test.
• Utilizes department supplies and reagents in a cost effective manner.
• Assists the supervisor in developing cost benefit analyzers for various testing protocols.
• Maintains a safe environment for patients by assuring that sharp objects, toxic substances and other objects potentially harmful to children are not accessible.
• Assures that the environment of care or services is free of objects which may contribute to the likelihood of patient falls, slips or trips. Makes readily available assistive devices for ambulation. Complies with policies and procedures relating to gait belts and similar devices.
• Is aware of the increased risk of falls, slips, and trips for elderly patients and visitors, and assures that the environment of care or services is free of objects and spills which may contribute to the likelihood of patient falls, slips, or trips.
• Is sensitive to the tendency of older patients to have hearing difficulties.
• Verifies that he or she is speaking with appropriate level of loudness so that the patient hears instructions, questions, and conversations with caregiver, but that offense is not given to the patient as the result of the voice being excessively loud. Is able to differentiate problems with hearing versus problems with comprehension.
• Correctly interprets verbal and nonverbal response pain management treatments. Takes appropriate action to minimize the patient’s level of pain by utilizing various pain management techniques and methods.
• Takes appropriate actions to assure physical security of children and complies with policies and procedures related to the prevention of neonate, infant and child abduction.
• Is aware of reduced endurance and strength present in many elderly, and provides accommodation for seating during extended interviews, discussions with secretaries, receptionists and other clerical personnel, or when the patient is waiting for transportation.

Statement of Other Duties

This document describes the major duties and responsibilities for this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. It should be understood, therefore, that employees may be asked to perform job-related duties beyond those explicitly described.

Functional Demands

Physical Requirements

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Frequently reaches (extending hands and arms in any direction), handles (seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or working with hands), and distinguishes colors. Occasionally uses depth perception (three dimensional vision, and ability to judge distances).

Organizational Expectations

Behavioral Attributes

The following behavioral attributes are required: achievement motivation, concern for order, flexibility, initiative, self-confidence, customer service oriented, interpersonal effectiveness, teamwork, analytical thinking and information seeking.

Job Requirements

Minimum Education

Medical Laboratory Technician:

• Associate's degree in science and completion of clinical training in an approved school of medical technology for MLTs (or equivalent) is required. Registered by the ASCP preferred. Responsible individual attuned to the operations of a hospital is necessary.  Applicant must be self-motivated, conscientious with the desire to provide good, quality patient care at all times.

Medical Laboratory Scientist

1. Baccalaureate degree in clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or a major in chemical, physical, or biological science. Completion of clinical training in an approved school of medical technology or documented laboratory training (at least three months in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing).  Registered through ASCP, AAB, HEW, or AMT preferred. OR;
2. Associate degree in clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or a major in chemical, physical, or biological science or equivalent. Completion of clinical training in an approved school of medical technology or documented laboratory training (at least three months in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing); AND registered as an MLS or MT through ASCP, AAB, HEW, or AMT.

Responsible individuals attuned to the operations of a hospital is required.  Must be self-motivated, conscientious with the desire for good, quality patient care in mind at all times

 Required Skills

• Ability to effectively communicate in English, both verbally and in writing
• Additional languages preferred
• Basic computer knowledge
• Operates the following equipment correctly and safely: photometer, spectrograph, colorimeter, microscope