Medical Lab Scientist III

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital•Brattleboro, VT

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Independently performs various qualitative, quantitative clinical laboratory testing and quality control in all section(s) of the laboratory: ie., microbiology, chemistry, blood bank, hematology, and phlebotomy/urinalysis. All activities performed are in accordance with established policies, procedures and standards. Medical Laboratory Scientist must be a team player with good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work in a fast paced, deadline-oriented environment. The above level of knowledge, skills and abilities are normally acquired through the successful completion of an associate or bachelor's degree in medical laboratory technology or related science required and an ASCP, NCA or equivalent certification. laboratory computer knowledge and skills preferred. Experience in performance of lab duties preferred but not required. DEPT. SCOPE OF SERVICE: The Laboratory at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is a C.A.P. accredited, full-service laboratory. The Lab is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week, by certified Medical Laboratory Scientists, Lab Assistants, Pathology Aide, and Phlebotomists. The Lab consists of the following sections: Transfusion Service, Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Microbiology, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Serology, Urinalysis, Phlebotomy, and Pathology Accessioning. The Laboratory is a 24-hour-per-day, seven-day-per-week, on-demand service, with staff available in the department. The Lab processes 100-125 patients per day, serving physicians, SVHHA, Brattleboro Retreat, occupational Health, Nursing Homes and others. The Pathology Accessioning service is open 5 days a week and services Ambulatory Care, Surgical Services, Radiology and outpatient physician offices. Scope of service includes frozen sections.

Requirements

AS degree and minimum of 4 years of Clinical Laboratory experience or Bachelors of Science Degree and minimum of 2 years of Clinical Laboratory experience.
Ability to work independently and adhere to deadlines and manage changing volumes.
Basic knowledge of computer software systems.
Appropriately abides by all policies, procedures or regulation related to patient safety, professional code of ethics, infection control, age specific care delivery and patient/family education.
Demonstrates proper response to Code Blue/Rapid Response.
Actively participates in quality/performance improvement initiatives.
In accordance with hospital policy, continuously and accurately documents all aspects of patient care delivered in the electronic medical record.
Complies with safety goals.
Identifies patients accurately before starting procedures/providing services.
Gathers, documents and transmits accurately identifying and essential information about patients.
Investigates patient's questions and concerns before proceeding with procedures and treatments.
Reports incidents, as outlined per policy including potential errors and near misses.
Abides by professional code of ethics.
Demonstrates proper utilization of standard and transmission-based precautions in all situations when potential for exposure to body fluids and airborne organisms of any patient exists.
Adheres to hand hygiene policy and the use of appropriate PPE.
Providing services as appropriate to age of population served or calls appropriate personnel.
Identifies QA/I process activities and his/her role in utilizing data to measure performance and improve outcomes.

Nice To Haves

laboratory computer knowledge and skills preferred.
Experience in performance of lab duties preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Performs various qualitative, quantitative clinical laboratory testing and quality control in all section(s) of the laboratory
Follows written protocol
Reviews and evaluates test results before verifying and reporting
Records results correctly and completely in the LIS or on logs without clerical errors
Calls results when required (panic values, specific requests)
Prints worksheets and reviews and follows up on any discrepancies
Performs routine, special or complex testing/procedures, QC, daily maintenance and troubleshooting on all the laboratory analyzers and equipment when appropriate
Assesses, recognizes/detects and corrects instrument or manual testing errors or unusual patient results and follow through with a timely resolution
Follows lab policies or protocol with the ability to make judgmental decisions when necessary, on possible modifications or choosing test options, utilizes back-up methods, or devise and alternative and properly notify the Lab Director, Supervisor or Pathologist
Follows quality control procedures, validate QC results before reporting any patient results
Documents QC failures appropriately and equipment failures in maintenance logs for review by Lab Director
Participates in orientation, and ongoing in servicing of the lab analyzers responsible for running testing
Performs calibrations on chemistry analyzers
Calls "Instrument Hotlines" when appropriate and follows steps to resolve equipment failures
Utilizes reagents diligently: taking care to properly label and store testing materials to ensure their performance, proper loading and use, proper repeat testing when appropriate
Keeps workstations clean and organized, with necessary stocks reagents/supplies and takes responsibility for making sure the reagents and supplies are ordered when needed
Participates in competency programs and proficiency testing programs
Performs tests in the necessary time frame and accurately fills out the forms for submitting
Uses the proper forms for reporting Laboratory episode/occurrences
Follows up on unresolved problems (missing specimens, unfinished worklists, etc)
Has the ability to prioritize the work and to complete STATs, times tests and routine work in an acceptable time frame
Coordinates workflow to allow completion of all tests within reasonable time limits (while maintaining quality)
Uses time between procedures/tests tin assisting other workers, working on projects, reviewing procedure manuals, etc
Assists in the orientation and training of new employees
Evaluates annually the competency of assigned associates and helps with the skill and knowledge development of other lab team members
Motivates and encourages coworkers/peers to develop teamwork
Performs Microbiology analysis
Assists lead as needed
Required to attend or be a participant in Lab In-Service Education program which may be met by independent study/readings of self-assessments totaling 12 hours each year recorded in the Lab education log