Medical Laboratory Technician PRN

Waverly Health Center•Waverly, IA

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Technician performs and interprets routine diagnostic procedures in chemistry, hematology, microbiology, serology, and immunohematology. The role supports accurate, high-quality testing delivered promptly and cost-effectively, and identifies results or problems that need to be referred to supervisory staff or a Pathologist. The technician carries out pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical laboratory procedures, including routine testing, specimen collection and processing, and phlebotomy for hospital inpatients and outpatients as needed. The role uses the laboratory information system to document specimen details, manage orders and results, report critical values, and verify reference laboratory reports. It also supports quality control, calibration, equipment maintenance, regulatory compliance, safety, staff education, inventory, billing, and method validation. The position works collaboratively with physicians, hospital departments, laboratory colleagues, and other professionals to meet patient and physician needs and follow hospital and department policies. The work may involve contact with hazardous chemicals and potential exposure to communicable diseases in a healthcare environment. The schedule is PRN, with all shifts listed.

Requirements

Associate degree in chemical, physical, or biological science, or medical laboratory technology, from an accredited institution.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to learn and navigate computer systems, including online training modules, employee timesheets, performance appraisal systems, and job-specific systems.
Valid Iowa driver’s license, as applicable to the position.
Ability to read, speak, and write fluent English.

Nice To Haves

Certification within six months of hire as a Medical Laboratory Technician through ASCP, NCA, or a comparable certification agency is preferred.
Prior laboratory-setting experience is preferred.
Experience with and/or knowledge of medical terminology is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform and interpret routine diagnostic procedures in chemistry, hematology, microbiology, serology, and immunohematology.
Perform routine medical testing and pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical laboratory procedures to provide data used in diagnosis and treatment.
Perform phlebotomy for hospital inpatients and outpatients as needed, and visit account sites, including nursing homes, to obtain samples.
Collect, prepare, and process specimens according to procedure; note specimen abnormalities; and assist with aliquoting and preparing specimens for reference laboratories.
Accurately capture specimen data and processing details in the laboratory information system, including reference laboratory releases.
Organize and track orders and specimens, verify labeling, log specimens, enter results, and keep work surfaces clean and orderly.
Report critical and hold-and-call results according to policy; review reference laboratory reports for accuracy; and follow up and reconcile reporting errors.
Analyze and record quality-control data, report out-of-range results, and assist with investigating quality-control problems.
Perform scheduled or required calibrations and help investigate new methods, procedures, equipment, and standards of care as assigned.
Operate equipment safely and correctly, assist with maintenance, identify systems performing outside established limits, take corrective action, and consult laboratory management as needed.
Follow CLSI/CLIA and organizational procedures, perform proficiency testing, and assist with patient-chart reviews for completeness and diagnosis compliance.
Follow department safety policies and use safety equipment; assist with special projects and data collection, including turnaround-time reports, Levey-Jennings graphs, and disease reporting through the Iowa Disease Surveillance System portal.
Maintain professional knowledge by reviewing procedures and technical resources; assist with staff orientation, student instruction, knowledge sharing, competency reviews, and training materials.
Use the Kanban inventory system, report low supplies, assist with inventory and supply receipt documentation, follow up on standing orders, and help resolve purchasing issues.
Support budget constraints through efficient, cost-effective work; review charges for billing accuracy; and participate in new method validation studies.
Collaborate professionally with physicians, hospital departments, laboratory staff, and other professionals regarding test results and concerns.
Coordinate work to meet patient and physician needs and follow hospital and department policy; help balance team workload.