Medical Laboratory Technician

Customer Value Partners•Columbia, SC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

CVP is seeking Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) to join our team in providing our Nation's Veterans with high-quality laboratory services at the Columbia VA Healthcare System (CVAHCS) located in Columbia, SC. This is an onsite position supporting a 24/7 laboratory operation across three shifts.

Requirements

Must be eligible to obtain a Public Trust government security clearance; US Citizenship is required
Associate's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or a related field
Completion of a medical technology clinical practice program from an accredited institution
Minimum of two years of generalist clinical laboratory experience required; a generalist is defined as an MLT who can perform testing across all major laboratory sections including Chemistry, Blood Bank, Hematology, Urinalysis, and Microbiology
Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
Strong communication skills, including English fluency
Knowledge of and adherence to infection control, standard precautions, OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards, and applicable laboratory safety regulations

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with laboratory information systems; experience with VISTA LIS and VBECS is preferred
Experience operating and troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation in one or more of the following platforms is preferred: Chemistry: Abbott Alinity ci, Abbott Architect i2000SR, Abbott A3600 Automation Line, Advanced Osmometer 3320
Hematology: Beckman DXH 900, Cellavision/Scopio, Siemens PFA, Aerospray Hematology Pro
Coagulation: Stago STA R Max
Blood Bank: Ortho Vision Swift
Urinalysis: Beckman Coulter Arkay AX-4030, Beckman Coulter Iris iQ200
Microbiology: Cepheid GeneXpert, bioMerieux Vitek 2 and Vitek MS, BACTEC Bact/Alert 3D, Biofire FilmArray Torch, Accelerate Pheno, BD Affirm VPIII, Polymedco OC-Auto
Categorical or specialist-level certification (e.g., Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Blood Bank) from ASCP or AMT is accepted in lieu of generalist MLT certification, but candidates holding only categorical certification may be limited to performing duties within their specific area of certification

Responsibilities

Perform generalist laboratory testing across all major sections of the clinical laboratory, including Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Bank, Urinalysis, and Microbiology
Access the VA VISTA Laboratory Information System (LIS) to report patient results, including the ability to print reports of services provided
Verify accuracy of all test results prior to reporting and ensure all results meet applicable regulatory requirements
Report and document all critical and abnormal values to the ordering provider in accordance with established protocols, including documented read-back confirmation
Perform, resolve, and document quality control procedures to produce quality results; recognize out-of-control, discrepant, and unexpected quality control results and notify the supervisor as appropriate
Perform instrument calibration and new reagent lot-to-lot studies as required, including proper documentation and determination of result acceptability
Perform routine and scheduled equipment maintenance and troubleshoot instrument error codes or sample flags promptly, including contacting manufacturer hotlines as needed
Generate incomplete worksheets for current bench assignments to document the status of missed or missing specimens
Process and handle proficiency survey samples in accordance with laboratory proficiency testing policy
Inoculate specimens onto appropriate culture media and incubate cultures per established microbiology protocols; prepare and examine slides and stains for morphological identification of microorganisms
Perform and report molecular tests in accordance with established procedures to meet turnaround time criteria
Follow blood culture protocols including processing, notifications, and gram stain reading
Perform proper patient and specimen identification using at least two patient identifiers in accordance with laboratory labeling policies and procedures
Perform venipuncture accurately and efficiently, maintaining greater than 95% completion with no peer-assisted blood draws; complete venipuncture within an acceptable time of 5 to 6 minutes per patient
Monitor lab results and correlate for reasonableness, including delta checks, H&H correlation, and reflex of auto differential to manual differential
Adhere to routine and STAT turnaround time standards per laboratory policy, maintaining 95% compliance
Utilize VISTA LIS, VBECS, CPRS, and other essential computer software according to established protocol; follow computer contingency plan during system downtime
Coordinate scheduled periodic preventative maintenance and repair calls for VA-owned equipment and maintain records accordingly
Complete all QA/QI documentation pertaining to procedures, complications, and outcomes of examinations
Report all patient safety incidents using the Patient Safety Report within 24 hours of occurrence
Attend monthly laboratory staff meetings as required by the COR
Maintain confidentiality of all patient-sensitive data in compliance with HIPAA, the Privacy Act, and all applicable VA regulations; report any unauthorized release of information immediately