Medical Laboratory Technician I

ARUP Laboratories•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Technician I provides technical and non-technical services in laboratory service areas under the direction of a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Technologist, Certified, MLT II, and/or MLT III. Duties may include preparing specimens for laboratory processing; performing selected waived and moderate-complexity analytical processes; performing and documenting quality control and selected equipment maintenance; and handling and entering data. The role uses routine and specialized automated and non-automated laboratory procedures for which the employee is qualified, trained, and competent. The technician performs analytical and decision-making functions under direct supervision, processes and verifies laboratory data, operates and maintains selected equipment, and communicates results and issues to appropriate staff. The position is in Transfusion Services. The regular schedule is seven days on and seven days off, from 8:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Training is Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, on day shift for approximately three months. ARUP Laboratories is a national clinical and anatomic pathology reference laboratory and an enterprise of the University of Utah and its Department of Pathology, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. ARUP describes its workplace as committed to diversity, professional growth, continuous development, accountability, integrity, service, and excellence.

Responsibilities

Perform routine and specialized automated and non-automated laboratory procedures and techniques within established qualifications, training, competency, and section operating procedures.
Perform analytical and decision-making functions with direct supervision.
Recognize and report abnormal, unexpected, or implausible results, errors, and patient-test problems; refer issues for resolution to appropriate senior staff or a supervisor.
Operate and ensure proper functioning of selected laboratory instruments and equipment; calibrate selected instruments, perform minor troubleshooting and routine maintenance under direction, and report service issues.
Maintain instrument records and documentation, and use an instrument hotline when available to resolve equipment problems.
Perform and document quality control and refer results that fail laboratory criteria for resolution.
Follow specimen collection, handling, and transport procedures; collect samples if required, prepare specimens for analysis, determine sample acceptability, and refer specimen issues as appropriate.
Process data, transcribe results, and verify data in the laboratory computer system.
Meet laboratory section turnaround times and output measures.
Train on new procedures to the prescribed level of competency and remain informed of procedures and procedure changes.
Assist in other areas of defined competency when assigned workload is complete.
Answer telephone calls courteously and promptly; provide available results to physicians, nurses, and laboratorians, and refer problems to appropriate staff.
Perform internal and external proficiency testing as directed by the Laboratory Supervisor.
Maintain a clean and orderly work area; clean bench surfaces and equipment each shift and after contamination or spills.
Stock and maintain reagents and supplies; record receipt dates and lot numbers, rotate stock, discard outdated reagents according to policy, and notify the supervisor.
Refer requests for special and unusual tests to the Laboratory Supervisor and/or Group Manager.
Respond to technical questions consistent with training and competency.
Assist with training new employees, technicians, MTs, and MLT students when assigned.
Assist with data collection for quality assurance indicators when assigned.
After two years of experience, assess peers performing non-waived testing as a Qualified Observer.
Perform other duties as assigned.