Medical Technologist 1, Laboratory, Full Time, Days, Jackson South Medical Center

About the position

Medical Technologist 1 is professional technology work in the performance of diagnostic tests and procedures in the clinical laboratory of a county medical facility. Employees in this classification are professionally trained medical technologists responsible for performing various diagnostic analyses, morphologic studies and quantitative and qualitative determinations on specimen samples of blood, urine, cerebral spinal and other body fluids and products in accordance with recognized scientific theory, principles and techniques. Emphasis of the work is on independent judgment in determining accurate test results and recognition of critical values. Supervision may be exercised over Laboratory Aides, Assistants and Technicians, Medical Technology Students and Laboratory Clerks as required. Supervision is received from a professional superior who reviews results for professional quality and assists as abnormal laboratory results are found.

Responsibilities

• Produces accurate results/outcomes according to age specific standard operating procedures.
• Matches the patient identifying information on specimens with the work document without clerical/data entry errors, including omissions.
• Demonstrates the ability to coordinate simultaneous series of procedures with accuracy.
• Consults supervisor for additional assignments and follows them to completion.
• Completes patient and quality control procedures within defined time limits.
• Interprets patient and quality control samples or procedures determining whether they are abnormal or incorrect.
• Takes appropriate action according to protocol.
• Recognizes and documents efforts to resolve equipment and/or procedural problems.
• Notifies supervisor when necessary.
• Participates actively in QA/QI programs of the department.
• Completes routine tasks without direct supervision.
• Oversees and/or performs preventive maintenance and documents corrective actions taken.
• Prioritizes workload in response to STAT requests according to protocol.
• Learns new procedures and/or assignments within a mutually agreed upon time frame.
• Maintains an appropriate inventory of supplies, keeps working supplies stocked.
• Adapts to modification of work assignments and, when requested, is willing to adjust personal schedule for the benefit of patient care.
• Demonstrates a concern for cleanliness of self and work area.
• Practices infection control for the protection of the patients, co-workers and self.
• Assumes ownership of issues and follows them to resolution.
• Maintains current knowledge of written revisions in procedures as well as advances in the profession.
• Offers innovative solutions to allow for efficient and effective delivery of laboratory service.
• Maintains neat, legible and organized written work documents with appropriate dates and initials.
• Follows departmental policies and procedures at all times.
• Monitors pending work and critical values as per protocol.
• Organizes and performs work according to procedure manual, ensuring workflow can be followed by other personnel.
• Communicates regularly with subordinates and supervisor.
• Provides initial non-technical resources in resolving routine problems.
• Demonstrates practical decision making skills.
• Demonstrates leadership traits such as empathy, creativity and fairness.
• Assures employee empowerment and encourages employee participation.
• Prepares and records proficiency testing or performs other specialized tasks according to protocol.
• Takes charge of the department in the absence of the supervisors.
• Assists in providing adequate staffing.
• Always perform instruments preventive maintenance procedures, on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis as outlined in procedure manual.
• Always performs A.M. start-up and/or P.M. start-up procedures at the beginning of each shift.
• Regularly inspects all instruments and makes sure that equipment is in proper working condition, so the results indicated are accurate.
• Always performs quality control with each test along with instrument checks, always ensure the accuracy of results reported.
• Always verifies the name of the patient in specimens both labels against the name and test ordered in worksheets.
• Consistently makes sure that test results correlates with the diagnosis.
• Performs scheduled tests on days to be done.
• Always files Q.C. and maintenance records promptly; able to retrieve information within 15 minutes upon request.
• Participates in performing CAP surveys and completes in a timely manner.
• Always checks temperatures of refrigerators, freezer, incubators, and room temperatures, log each day reading in appropriate daily chart.
• Assists in weekly inventory, assists in ordering supplies as necessary, and ensures that proper supplies are on hand at all times in the section.
• Performs venipuncture or bleeding time accurately, always willing to help when needed.
• Thoroughly explains procedure to patient.
• Always follows instructions when reconstituting controls.
• Always logs reagents received in log book, writing date received, lot number and expiration date.
• Makes sure that specimens are at room temperature before starting any procedures.
• Always ensures to put supplies away following manufactured specifications and as soon as they arrive to avoid spoilage of reagents.
• Rotates stock on shelves.
• Always reports panic values to R.N. and to the patient's physician.
• Always records name and results for panic values and correctly documents in computer.
• Responsibly completes all work procedures during the work shift without sacrificing the quality of work.
• Never allows specimens to stand for a period of time that would reduce their suitability for testing.
• Always performs stat orders as requested; consistently reports stat results within one hour from collection or as soon as possible.
• Completes work left from other shifts, and strives to reduce any hold-over test to be reported as results are available.
• Always reports any incomplete assignments or procedures to next shift to ensure continuity of procedures.
• Demonstrates behaviors of service excellence and CARE values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Expertise).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Generally requires 1 to 3 years of related experience.
• Associate's degree in related field is required.
• Bachelor's degree in related field is strongly preferred.
• Valid Florida license as a Medical Technologist in area of specialty is required.
• ASCP Certification is preferred.