Laboratory Information Technologist

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Laboratory Information Technologist to join our team at Albany Med. As a key member of our laboratory team, you will be responsible for managing laboratory data and information, ensuring the delivery of quality laboratory products and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Utilize knowledge and clinical laboratory experience to manage laboratory data and information.
• Assist all laboratory areas in the delivery of quality laboratory products and services, with a primary focus on the preanalytical and post-analytical phases of laboratory services.
• Function as the primary advocate for the customer, providing excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Exercise independent judgment and responsibility with minimal supervision by the director or manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Use effective written and verbal communication skills to work cooperatively with customers and employees.
• Support laboratory-marketing activities through excellent customer service and regular communication with clients and potential clients.
• Utilize the LIS and HIS computer systems to perform inquiries, order tests, enter results and comments, generate billing, issue credits, and generate worksheets.
• Direct routine and special courier runs (specimen pickup); deal with client special requests, and identify and resolve client/laboratory delivery problems.

Qualification Requirements

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily as outlined in the attached annual competency assessment.
• Maintain an acceptable driving record.

Education, Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification

• BS from an accredited college or university.
• Degree in science, computer science, or business preferred.

Experience

• One-year experience in a computerized clinical laboratory.
• Two years' experience as an ITI, achieves all ITI core competencies.

Communication Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules and procedure manuals.
• Use effective written and verbal communication skills to work cooperatively with customers and employees.
• Listen well, take direction, and engage in interactive dialogues with others.
• Identify when a caller is distressed or upset, take action to calm the caller, and successfully resolve the issue.
• Seek the input of others to achieve consensus.
• Comprehend, remember, and carry out instructions.
• Communicate any questions to a preceptor or supervisor as needed.
• Thoroughly, accurately, and legibly document test results and quality assurance.
• Accurately document daily work activities according to established standards.
• Communicate effectively with nursing staff, physicians, and other hospital departments and outside clients.
• Conduct telephone and personal inquiries to any of the laboratory's customers professionally and with courtesy, respect, and confidentiality.
• Interpret laboratory information for healthcare providers.
• Offer advice to clients on possible causes of preanalytical variation in test results and on ways to improve the quality of test results.
• Assist clients in appropriate test selection for particular diagnostic dilemmas.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Perform statistical analysis and prepare graphical displays.

Professional Skills

• Ability to accomplish a wide variety of tasks in a specified time, prioritize, and make decisions.
• Effectively provide feedback.
• Demonstrate knowledge of all applicable policies and procedures.
• Maintain competency and assume responsibility for continuing education relevant to responsibilities.
• Improve job performance through continuing education and productive feedback.
• Demonstrate cooperation and flexibility in continually meeting patient care needs.
• Perform job duties in an honest, punctual, and ethical manner.
• Respond positively to changes in scheduling in conjunction with departmental needs.
• Adapt to new standards in technology.
• Serve as a positive role model for other staff by following accepted departmental guidelines.
• Exercise independent judgment, make appropriate decisions, and thoroughly follow-up on pending issues.
• Accept constructive criticism in a professional manner and carry out directives to completion.
• Contribute to the teamwork of the department by being helpful to co-workers and avoiding unnecessary conflict.
• Develop and maintain computer skills needed for electronic communication and use of the Intranet and Internet to search for information.
• Develop and maintain computer skills using word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
• Follow standard practice to perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting of computer and information-related equipment.
• Utilize the LIS and HIS computer systems to perform inquiries, order tests, enter results and comments, generate billing, issue credits, and generate worksheets and reports as assigned according to standard laboratory practices.
• Test the LIS for new functions, codes, and equipment related to LSC activities to ensure proper performance.
• Develop and maintain a system to identify laboratory and client issues.
• Review courier checklists/manifest logs.
• Resolve issues to ensure accurate and timely test result reporting and billing for services.
• Oversee the distribution of patient reports and work with the Laboratory Information Technicians to resolve distribution problems.
• Serve as a technical resource for the Laboratory Service Center.
• Direct routine and special courier runs (specimen pickup); deal with client special requests, and identify and resolve client/laboratory delivery problems.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to analyze information from multiple sources to identify problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to convert it to actionable knowledge.
• Effect conflict resolution to benefit both the patient and the healthcare team.
• Make responsible decisions.
• Identify situations where delegation is appropriate, communicate expectations clearly, and follow up to ensure effective completion.
• Serve as a resource in resolution of intra/inter departmental healthcare issues.

Additional Responsibilities for Client Service Technologists

• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in all duties and responsibilities of the Laboratory Service Center and Client Services, including client billing and courier activities.
• Validate physician information and update the physician dictionary in the LIS in an accurate and timely fashion.
• Submit physician information to HIS to obtain a physician number.
• Support laboratory-marketing activities through excellent customer service and regular communication with clients and potential clients.
• Perform site visits to provide education and new information regarding laboratory services.
• Develop and maintain custom order forms for each client.
• Order and distribute supplies and equipment to clients as requested.
• Maintain a system to track equipment distributed to clients.
• Assist clients with minor troubleshooting and routine maintenance.
• Generate and distribute billing and utilization reports for outside clients in the absence of the Lab Information Technician.
• Design, update, and generate location-specific laboratory requisitions.
• Develop a system to manage laboratory requisitions to maintain current revision(s) and adequate stock.
• Utilize and maintain a system to document customer telephone calls.
• Analyze data to suggest and/or implement process improvement activities.
• Coordinate all courier vehicle-related activities, including maintenance and documentation of mileage, cellular telephone installation and use, establish and monitor EZ Pass account, and coordinate follow-up activities related to vehicular accidents.
• Perform Medical Necessity Reviews on non-patient Medicare patients.
• Calls clients to obtain missing demographic, insurance, and diagnosis information on lab requisitions.

Work Environment

The technologist may be required to work day, evening, or night shifts, including weekends, holidays, and on-call. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to infectious and hazardous chemicals as outlined in the department's Chemical Hygiene Plan.

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