Medical Lab Technician

POSITION SUMMARY:

Boston Medical Center (BMC) is more than a hospital. It's a network of support and care that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in need each year. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Emphasizing community-based care, BMC is committed to providing consistently excellent and accessible health services to all-and is the largest safety-net hospital in New England. The hospital is also the primary teaching affiliate of the nationally ranked Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and a founding partner of Boston HealthNet - an integrated health care delivery systems that includes many community health centers. Join BMC today and help us achieve our Vision 2030 which is a long-term goal to make Boston the healthiest urban population in the world.

Position: Medical Lab Technician - Specialist in Send out testing specialty

Department: Lab Support Services

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Prioritizes STAT and routine samples.
• Ensures accurate specimen identification and specimen labeling consistent with section and departmental standard operating procedure.
• Ensures appropriateness of sample for requested testing, obtains approval for testing which deviates from standard operating procedure and follows up with notification to patient care unit and documentation in LIS.
• Ensures sample testing is performed within the defined time periods for each test type based on specimen viability as outlined in section specific policies and procedures.
• Initiates appropriate action and documents steps taken to resolve mislabeled/unlabeled or inappropriate specimens in a manner consistent with Departmental Policies and Procedures and with the Departmental Service Mission.
• Identifies labeling problems or discrepancies; informs other laboratory sections about patient identification or medical record number problems.
• Ensures that prepared samples are stored according to standard operating procedure (e.g. refrigerated, frozen, incubated).
• Ensures aliquotting and processing of specimens is performed within established time limits for each test.
• Accessions specimens according to standard operating procedure.
• Performs instrument and equipment maintenance as defined by each section's policy and procedures.
• Recognizes instrument, equipment or methodology problems and/or discrepancies and brings them, with documentation, to Assistant Supervisor or Supervisor's attention in a timely manner.
• Performs and assesses results of Quality Control activities according to Section Policy and Procedures.
• Recognizes technical and non-technical problems/discrepancies in laboratory operations and brings these problems/discrepancies to Assistant Supervisor or Supervisor's attention.
• Performs and interprets validity of results of analytic procedures according to Section Policy and Procedures.
• Maintains clear, concise, accurate and legible records of test performance.
• Provides proper documentation and records of all test procedures performed.
• Reviews patient results, recognizes problems and/or discrepancies, performs and documents all additional or confirmatory testing necessary to justify reporting of patient result and notifies Assistant Supervisor or Supervisor. Investigates, resolves to the extent possible and documents incidents of aberrant or inconsistent patient test results.
• Transcribes results/information with accuracy into LIS system.
• Appends appropriate coded comments as required by section standard operating procedures.
• Uses LIS to promote clarity and correct interpretation of laboratory results.
• Reviews entered LIS codes as required by section standard operating procedures for transcription accuracy prior to completing processing or reporting test results.
• Notifies appropriate person of all Critical Alert Values. Provides complete documentation of all Critical Alert Values in LIS and on work cards as required.
• Notifies appropriate person of all required call back of results. Provides complete documentation of all call backs in LIS and on work cards as required.
• Maintains proficiency through validation and retraining for all designated LIS functions as outlined in section specific policies and procedures.
• Provides proper documentation of receipt and implementation of reagents/lots/materials upon receipt in lab.
• Ensures adequate Blood inventories are maintained according to standard operating procedure for section consistent with level of training and experience (Blood Bank only).
• Ensures all work is completed and/or accounted for according to section policy.
• Assists other laboratory sections as needed when directed by supervisory staff members.
• Participates in Quality Advancement/Quality Improvement activities according to Departmental policies and procedures.
• Performs specimen collection procedures (when applicable) as outlined in the Lab Support Services Phlebotomy Procedures.
• Maintains initial and annual competency documentation as outlined in section policies and procedures; maintains age specific competency for all tests/procedures performed as required by regulatory agencies.
• Attends departmental continuing education classes during the year.
• Participates in 2 scientific or service related continuing education classes.
• Attends all scheduled staff meetings or, if unable, accepts responsibility for reading meeting minutes on work time.
• Supports education of Medical Technology students, Pathology residents, new staff and others through participation in teaching activities which may be didactic and/or "benchside".
• Supports technical training of departmental staff members, encompassing new employees, new procedures and cross training.
• Participates on all Sectional, Departmental or Hospital committees or task forces as needed.
• Communicates all-important information regarding the laboratory (i.e. inventory, testing status and instrument status) to fellow staff members.
• Answers the telephone according to departmental policy; responds to inquiries/requests.
• Works cooperatively with other laboratory staff members and takes initiative to determine where assistance is needed and renders assistance.
• Reports all incidents, safety hazards or accidents to appropriate personnel.
• Attends mandatory safety education sessions to keep informed of changes regarding safety issues.
• Respects patient and employee confidentiality.
• Keeps equipment and work area neat, orderly and well stocked; puts supplies away when received.
• Performs assignments with a minimum of direction and is available to help others.
• Maintains open communication with Supervisors and Medical Directors.
• Plans and prioritizes tasks and adjusts to variable workloads.
• Assesses the inventory on a weekly basis in assigned work area and notifies Supervisor of supply needs.
• Utilizes hospital's Values as the basis for decision-making and to facilitate the division's hospital mission.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned or as needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Requires an Associates degree from an accredited university or college in Medical Technology or Clinical Laboratory Science or an Associate's degree in an applied science (Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry) with sufficient coursework as defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988 (CLIA 88).

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

Preferred: Certification by American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or National Credentialing Agency (NCA) or equivalent agency as a Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technician, or specialty certification.

* Equivalent agency is defined as an agency that requires a degree in science from an accredited college or university with successful completion of an examination for certification. Such agencies include but are not limited to ASCP, NCA, American Medical Technologists (AMT), American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), Health Education and Welfare (HEW), and American Society of Microbiologists (AMT).

EXPERIENCE:

0 -1 years experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of clinical tests and standards necessary to perform moderately complex tests as defined under CLIA 88 and ability to accurately report results.
• Analytic abilities to perform moderately complex testing, to perform limited instrument calibrations, calculations, etc.
• Ability to maintain compliance with all regulatory agency (e.g. JCAHO, CAP, FDA, AABB) requirements.
• Manual/visual dexterity necessary to prepare specimens, prepare solutions, screen specimens and operate a computer software system.
• Requires interpersonal and English verbal and written language skills sufficient to exchange information with physicians, interact with other technologists and so forth.
• Ability to perform venipuncture techniques.

Note: If the MLT has been performing high complexity testing at Boston Medical Center or one of its antecedent institutions prior to 7/1/96, such individuals may continue to perform high complexity testing with accompanying supervisory review within 24 hours. Such MLTs may not perform new high complexity methodologies and procedures not previously performed. As regulatory guidelines are updated, assigned duties and responsibilities will be modified to assure regulatory compliance.

Knowledge of Quality Assurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans