Author: Unknown / Document Number: / Per10-04
Effective (or Post) Date: / 28 Dec 2006
Document Origin
Unknown / Company: / Unknown
SMILE Approved by: / Erin Gover
SMILE Comments: This document is provided as an example only. It must be revised to accurately reflect your lab’s specific processes and/or specific protocol requirements. Users are directed to countercheck facts when considering their use in other applications. If you have any questions contact SMILE.
Job Description - Laboratory Technologist
Position Title: / Laboratory TechnologistJob Family:
Pay Grade:
Position Number:
General Summary:
Coordinate and participate in a variety of complex technical tasks in the performance of laboratory tests to obtain data for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Essential Job Functions:
Coordinate and participate in the performance and interpretation of complex technical duties in support of medical laboratory testing; record determinations and results for review by laboratory management and physician/caregiver staff.
Participate in specimen collection when required according to test requested, either directly by venipuncture or skin puncture; maintain responsibility for patient identification, specimen labeling and collection verification, or instructing patients or other healthcare providers in collection and preservation techniques for urine, sputum, stool, scrapings, autologous/directed donations, or other specimens for analysis.
Set up, evaluate and operate current and new equipment, instruments and apparatus required for specific laboratory tests and assume adequate responsibility to maintain operations including preventive maintenance.
Coordinate the preparation and quality assurance of culture media, chemicals, reagents, stains and solutions as appropriate.
Evaluate collected laboratory data and prepare reports assessing accuracy, completeness, timeliness, progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations or conclusions.
Participate in the development of new medical laboratory procedures and techniques.
Provide technical guidance and instruction to students, interns, residents, staff and other employees; arrange teaching or rotation schedules for students and new employees.
Assist in the development and implementation of clinical evaluations.
Act as a person in charge (PIC) as well as a resource person/role model, as per guidelines determined by laboratory management. Participate in various personnel actions including, but not limited to, hiring, training, performance appraisals, promotions, transfers and vacation schedules.
Monitor Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Safety and Inspection Control practices to assure compliance with internal and external regulations.
Maintain sufficient inventory of material supplies and equipment for performance of duties; clean and maintain standard laboratory equipment.
Monitor workflow, assessment of staffing levels and reassignment as needed. Follow up to ensure work is completed.
Oversee competency testing for the staff, complete annual continual education and DUMC updates.
Utilize various laboratory and hospital information systems and software.
Communicate in a professional and courteous manner with patients, family and other medical personnel as necessary to obtain information for laboratory records, explain procedures, clarify orders and communicate status.
Interact courteously with doctors, nurses and health unit coordinators (HUC) and other healthcare providers when answering questions or providing other information about a patient's results.
Help coordinate participation for lab inspections and work with inspectors.
Provide advanced problem solving, troubleshooting, interpretation/consultation, verification of specimen quality and test results.
Scope of Responsibility:
Knows the informal policies, procedures and practices necessary to conduct the normal function of a specific section, unit, or work area. Is aware of the role of the position and its potential impact on the working unit.
Decision Making:
Carries out duties and responsibilities with limited supervision. Makes decisions and establishes work priorities on essentially procedure-oriented operations.
Authority:
Does not direct the activities of staff or a function.
Communication:
Exchanges routine information in an appropriate manner requiring good oral and written communication skills.
Education:
Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology or a related field.
Experience:
Ability to demonstrate required dexterity, knowledge, and ability to complete assigned laboratory tasks and skills, attention to detail and compliance with all appropriate regulatory and safety requirements. Alternatively, an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
Certification:
Required: Certification as a Medical Technologist by a nationally recognized board/agency.
Physical Requirements:
Work produced is subject to precise measures of quantity and quality.
Work environment may include areas of unpleasant extremes of cold or heat.
Biohazardous conditions such as the risk of radiation exposure, fumes or airborne particles, and/or toxic or caustic chemicals may be present in this work environment which mandate attention to safety considerations.
Near vision to see objects clearly within 20 inches.
Sharp focus to adjust vision when doing close work that changes in distance from eyes.
Full spectrum vision to identify and distinguish color.
Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.
Handling by seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with the hand or hands, but without finger dexterity.
Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time.
Occasionally lifting, carrying objects weighing 10 lbs. or less.
Occasionally pushing, pulling objects weighing 30 lbs. or less.
Ability to move about.
This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.