Lab Technical Specialist

Covenant Health•Sevierville, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lab Technical Specialist provides technical and scientific oversight for a specialty or section within the laboratory. The role guides problem-solving and troubleshooting related to the organization, implementation, and technical performance of diagnostic procedures. Working with the Laboratory Manager and Medical Director, the specialist selects appropriate testing methodologies, establishes and monitors quality-control standards, and verifies test procedures and performance characteristics. The specialist also schedules and coordinates work activities, supports staff training and competency assessment, maintains technical documentation, and performs testing duties as needed. The position is in the General Laboratory at LeConte Medical Center, a 79-bed community hospital that is part of Covenant Health. It is a full-time, day-shift position for 80 hours per pay period.

Requirements

One to two years of clinical laboratory experience, including familiarity with computer systems, medical terminology, and phlebotomy.
Must be licensed as a Medical Technologist by the State of Tennessee.
Must successfully pass a color blindness test.
Education must be sufficient to meet the standards for the required license and/or certification; no specific minimum education is stated.

Responsibilities

Select test methodologies appropriate to the clinical use of test results in conjunction with the Laboratory Manager and Medical Director.
Schedule and coordinate work activities of employees in the assigned area.
Prepare documentation for discipline or commendation for review by the Lab Manager.
Verify test procedures and establish test performance characteristics, including precision and accuracy.
Enroll in and participate in an approved proficiency-testing program, maintain related records, and ensure samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.
Establish quality-control programs and acceptable analytic-performance parameters with the Laboratory Manager and Medical Director, and ensure those levels are maintained throughout the testing process.
Follow laboratory quality-control policies and document quality-control activities, calibrations, and instrument and procedural maintenance.
Review and evaluate data routinely and prepare monthly quality-control reports for pathologist review.
Ensure patient results are not reported until corrective actions are complete and the test system is functioning properly.
Identify training needs and ensure testing personnel receive appropriate, regular in-service training.
Resolve technical problems, ensure remedial actions are taken when test systems deviate from established performance specifications, and document actions taken.
Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot department equipment.
Evaluate and maintain the competency of testing personnel through direct observation, monitoring results, reviewing intermediate records, and assessing testing and problem-solving skills.
Oversee and assist with training employees and students in assigned departments.
Perform testing-personnel responsibilities in the assigned section as required.
Compose new procedures and conduct annual reviews and revisions of section technical procedure manuals.
Perform other related duties as assigned or requested by the Laboratory Manager or Pathologists, including assisting with daily department operations.
Follow policies, procedures, and safety standards.
Complete required annual education assignments.
Work toward goals and objectives and participate in quality-improvement initiatives as requested.