Laboratory Technician

Job Title: Laboratory Technician

We are seeking a skilled Laboratory Technician to join our team at South Shore Health. As a Laboratory Technician, you will play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of laboratory test results.

Responsibilities:

• Perform accurate and appropriate testing of specimens received in the laboratory, according to established laboratory protocol and procedures.
• Evaluate specimens for acceptability for proper testing.
• Investigate and document problems with unacceptable specimens.
• Organize workload for maximum efficiency in order to complete tests being performed.
• Accurately perform tests as ordered on specimens received.
• Verify accuracy of results as those belonging to the corresponding specimen before reporting results.
• Collect data as required by supervisor on unacceptable specimens and specimens without orders or with ambiguous orders.
• Notify Microbiology supervisor or designee of any preanalytical, analytical, or post analytical variances.
• Handle specimens according to appropriate storage temperature requirements and as per laboratory procedures.

Test Result Reporting:

• Report test results in a timely manner and according to established laboratory protocol and procedures.
• Report results within time limits established for test procedures.
• Document proper notification process required in the reporting of all critical values that the employee results.
• Notify the Infectious Disease provider or primary care provider regarding Microbiology alerts in a prompt fashion and documents communication in the LIS system.
• Notify the Infection Control Nurse or designee regarding Microbiology alerts in a prompt fashion and documents communication in the LIS system.
• Notify the Massachusetts State Laboratory Institute regarding reportable diseases in a prompt fashion and documents communication in the LIS system.

Quality Control and Maintenance:

• Perform appropriate quality control for the test procedure.
• Accurately analyze and evaluate QC results obtained before accepting and reporting patient test results.
• Record results obtained for quality control testing as defined in test procedure.
• Appropriately notify Supervisor of discrepant QC results.
• Perform maintenance according to the schedule for the instrument/equipment.
• Document performance of maintenance procedures for the instrument/equipment.
• Perform calibration of equipment according to scheduled intervals or receipt of reagents.
• Document calibration of equipment.

Troubleshooting and Safety:

• Troubleshoot instruments, equipment, reagents and patient specimens when problems occur.
• Notify the Supervisor if unable to solve the problem.
• Follow established guidelines for troubleshooting procedures.
• Follow established guidelines for resolving patient specimen problems.
• Document steps taken during the troubleshooting process.
• Immediately notify Supervisor when unable to solve problems.
• Consistently adhere to established Laboratory and Hospital policies for Universal Precautions, Chemical Hygiene and Safety procedures.
• Wear Laboratory coat, gloves, goggles and protective devices as required when handling specimens.
• Follow safety policies for dress.
• Follow safety policies when using chemicals.
• Report any safety hazards to the appropriate Supervisor.
• Use protective barrier equipment as required.
• Disinfect and clean work benches/areas according to established protocol during and at the end of assigned shift.
• Properly dispose of contaminated and hazardous waste materials.
• Know where to find material safety data sheets (MSDS) for items used to perform job.
• Know the location and procedures to follow in the containment of blood, body fluid and chemical spills.
• Wear gloves when working at the bench in the Microbiology area.

Communication and Teamwork:

• Consistently communicate with Microbiology team to ensure that daily work is completed.
• Assist coworkers when main bench duties are completed.
• Assist with specimen processing during lunch time breaks to ensure continuous flow of work.
• Assist Microbiology Supervisor with special projects when main bench duties are completed.

Education and Certification:

• Associate's Degree in a relevant science preferred.
• Four (4) months' clinical laboratory internship preferred.
• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) or Eligible for Medical Laboratory Technician Certification.

Work Schedule: Evenings 3pm-11:30pm rotating every other weekend.

Location: South Shore Health.

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