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 is responsible for providing accurate, timely testing that supports diagnosis and treatment, promotes cost containment, and appropriately escalates results or problems requiring supervisory or Pathologist review. The technician performs pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical procedures, including specimen collection and processing, phlebotomy as needed, and visits to account sites such as nursing homes to obtain samples. The position uses the laboratory information system to document specimen data, processing, results, and reference-laboratory releases. It also supports quality control, calibration, equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, proficiency testing, regulatory compliance, and department safety. Additional responsibilities include staff and student orientation, continuing professional learning, inventory and billing support, method validation, and collaborative communication with clinicians and hospital departments. This is a PRN position with 0 scheduled weekly hours and all shifts indicated.

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 timesheet and performance appraisal systems, and job-specific systems.
Fluent English reading, speaking, and writing ability.
Valid Iowa driver's license, as applicable to the position.
Ability to meet the described physical requirements, including lifting approximately 50 pounds, standing and walking approximately 50% of the shift, sitting approximately 25% of the shift, and squatting or kneeling approximately 25% of the shift.

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 experience in a laboratory setting 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 support diagnosis and treatment.
Perform phlebotomy for hospital inpatients and outpatients as needed, and visit account sites, including nursing homes, to obtain samples.
Collect, prepare, process, and assess specimens; aliquot specimens and prepare them for reference laboratories as directed.
Use the laboratory information system to capture specimen data and processing details, document reference-laboratory releases, and enter results accurately.
Organize specimen workflow by matching orders to labels, sorting and checking specimens, logging them, and maintaining clean and orderly work surfaces.
Report critical hold-and-call results according to policy; review reference-laboratory reports for accuracy and follow up on reporting errors.
Analyze and document quality-control data, report out-of-range results, and assist in investigating quality-control problems.
Perform scheduled or required calibrations and assist with evaluation of methods, procedures, equipment, and standards of care.
Operate equipment safely; assist with equipment maintenance; identify underperforming test systems and take prompt corrective action, consulting lab management as needed.
Follow CLSI/CLIA, organizational, and department safety policies; perform proficiency testing and assist with patient-chart compliance reviews.
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, manuals, technical publications, textbooks, testing methods, products, and instrumentation.
Assist with orientation of new staff, instruct and supervise students when assigned, contribute to competency reviews and materials, and work with the Education department on training standards.
Use the Kanban inventory system, report low supplies, assist with inventory and receipt documentation, follow up on missing standing orders, and help resolve purchasing-system issues.
Support budget-conscious operations and review charges for billing accuracy.
Participate in new method validation studies.
Collaborate professionally with physicians, hospital departments, other professionals, and laboratory staff; coordinate work to meet patient and physician needs and help balance team workload.