Medical Laboratory Technologist I

Jackson County•538 Scotts Creek Road -- Sylva, NC

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Technologist I will serve primarily to provide laboratory services for all clinics, outreach programs, and the environmental health services of the Jackson County Department of Public Health. All laboratory testing is performed according to policies, procedures, and regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in medical technology, chemistry, or a biological science from an appropriately accredited institution; or an Associate’s degree in medical technology from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of medical laboratory experience; or completion of a certified Laboratory Assistant course in medical technology or a comparable course and two years of medical laboratory experience; or a High school or General Education Development (GED) diploma and four years of applicable medical laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certification as Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Laboratory Technician by ASCP.
General theoretical knowledge of the variety of laboratory procedures applicable to the Jackson County Department of Public Health Laboratory.
General knowledge of techniques, principles, and instrumentation used in public health laboratory medicine.
General knowledge of applicable laboratory instrumentation, equipment, and terminology.
General knowledge of the basic pathophysiological processes being monitored and how the medical laboratory science is applied.
Knowledge of test procedures performed in the laboratory.
Knowledge of specimen processing.
Skill in use of laboratory equipment.
Skill in the performance of laboratory procedures.
Ability to make accurate observations and written reports of test results.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance and quality control practices.
General knowledge of common health and safety precautions in working in a local health department.
Ability to use sound judgment and empathy in dealing with patients.
Ability to provide confidentiality and observation of HIPAA laws and regulations.
Ability to instruct medical technology students and other health professionals in laboratory procedures and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

Follows Standard Precautions at all times when collecting specimens, testing, and/or processing specimens.
Serves as supervisor and technical consultant for all clinical and environmental laboratory services by providing medical, managerial, technical, budgetary, administrative, and professional ability.
Direction and administration of the laboratory services required for the detection, treatment, and control of communicable disease.
Direction of testing to determine the safety of drinking water for Public Water Supply and the private sector.
Maintain all necessary documentation, certification, quality control, and quality assurance necessary for certification and operation of the laboratory.
Responsible for safety of all lab staff.
Monitors Bloodborne Pathogen Standards and Chemical Hygiene Plan for staff.
Consultant to other health department personnel and the Community Wellness Program.
Administers CLIA, COLA, OSHA, and State regulations in quality assurance and environmental services for testing performed.
Performs cost analysis for all laboratory testing.
Develops goals for laboratory by meeting with key people from clinical and environmental programs to assess, reassess, and develop protocols and testing procedures to meet program and community needs.
Assigns work schedules for laboratory staff including scheduling of laboratory staff for off-site outreach programs.
Assigns work schedule, monitors performance, and evaluates students during their laboratory rotation.
Oversees laboratory inventory and orders laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment.
Maintains most current federal and state regulations pertinent to the laboratory and incorporates these regulations into policies and procedures.
Serves as laboratory liaison on the Epidemiology team and at other supervisor meetings.
Performs competency assessment on all laboratory staff and students.
Performs daily review of completed patient’s results entered into Patagonia (EHR).
Negotiates laboratory contracts for reference laboratory testing.
Maintains and revises all laboratory policies, procedures, and manuals.
Assures the maintenance (preventive and repairs) of the analyzers and equipment is performed when required.
Develops quality control measures to meet state and federal regulations.
Implements proficiency testing for all clinical and environmental procedures.
Maintains water certification for coliform testing of environmental public water supply.
Provides supervision to MLT and Phlebotomy students.
Attends continuing education necessary to keep laboratory personnel current with technology changes and incorporates learned technique into daily operations of the laboratory.
Responsible for budgetary process for the laboratory to include: establishing contact with outside sales and technical representatives, developing working relationship with necessary vendors, analysis of cost/benefit effects and the impact of expansion and/or reduction in laboratory services, and participation in bidding process when purchasing new supplies and/or equipment, and evaluation of item(s) and obtain quotes for purchase, and making decision as to which supplies and equipment are needed.
Attends State Laboratory workshops.
Responsible for insuring accuracy and quality services performed by laboratory.
Performs Microbiology testing: Inoculating of urine cultures.
Performs sterility checks and Quality Control on each media shipment and records on microbiology log sheet.
Performs wet mounts of vaginal secretions for indications of infections; i.e. WBC, yeast, trichomonas, bacteria, and “clue cells”.
Performs direct smears: gram stains for detection of Neisseria gonorrhea and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), other bacteria, and yeast.
Performs rapid methods: strep throat screens.
Reconstitutes and inoculates media for use in required Quality Control testing procedures for cultures.
Performs Oxidase testing for further identification and confirmation.
Performs Hematology testing: Performs CBC (complete Blood Count) on Micros 60-DM Lite Analyzer. Reports out (9) parameters (RBC, HCT, MCV, HGB, WBC, MCH, MCHC, Platelet, and 3 Part Diff).
Performs HemoCue 201 testing (hemoglobin semi-automated analyzer) for WIC, Family Planning, Adult Health Clinics (if indicated), Maternal Health, and General Clinics.
Performs Chemistry testing: Performs Glucose screens.
Performs Glucose Tolerance Testing on HemoCue Glucose 201 Analyzer.
Performs Glucose and Cholesterol testing on Cholestech LDX Analyzer.
Performs Microalbumin testing on Clinitek Status Analyzer.
Performs Hemoglobin A1C on DCA 2000 or Afinion.
Performs Urinalysis testing: Performs dipstick (chemical) analysis on Clinitek Status Analyzer/Clintek 50 (back-up analyzer).
Performs Urine Pregnancy testing.
Provides detailed instructions to patients for obtaining a clean catch mid-stream urine sample.
Observes strict chain-of-custody proves for drug screen for Perinatal, Prenatal, and urine drug screen collection for area businesses, Department of Social Services, and Jackson County Employees.
Performs Miscellaneous Testing: Performs qualitative method detection of HCG in serum pregnancy test.
Performs Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate testing for detection of inflammation as with arthritis, lupus, etc.
Performs Hemoccult testing for detection of blood in stool samples.
Performs examination and identification of louse.
Performs Rapid Influenza A & B testing.
Performs Mono testing.
Collects specimen for Paternity/DNA analysis.
Performs GeneXpert SARS COVID-19 testing (CEPHEID).
Collects Breath Alcohol Testing for contracted agencies.
Performs Water Analysis: Performs water testing for coliform (total and fecal) bacteria.
Processes water for Nitrate testing to be mailed or couriered to Environmental Inc in Sylva, North Carolina.
Records and mails water results to clients.
Calls and mails positive water sample results as indicated in the laboratory water manual.
Performs Water Proficiency Testing as indicated.
Instructs clients on proper collection of water samples for bacteria analysis, nitrate, and nitrite testing.
Performs required quality control on reagents and medias as indicated by Public Water Supply Section.
Enters water results into EPA’s Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP).
Prepares and mails the annual water contracts to clients.
Sends monthly invoices to water clients as indicated.
Performs routine phlebotomy services according to policies, procedures, and regulations; on and off-site for a variety of tests.
Prepares and processes specimens to reference (public and private) laboratories in accordance with laboratory protocols and reference manuals.
Performs fingersticks; on and off site.
Performs start up and shut down of analyzers according to laboratory procedures.
Verifies that laboratory requisitions/ orders are complete and accurate.
Documents all results on the in-house logs and enters results into the patient’s medical record in Patagonia (EHR).
Answers general questions from patients or staff regarding laboratory procedures, patient preparation, policies, and protocols.
Greets patients timely and courteously.
Routes patients to other areas of clinic and/or waiting areas.
Assists in performance of complex procedures and analysis.
Performs routine and standardized tests.
Performs Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and Calibration as required by Clinical and Environmental Testing Procedures.
Performs a variety of clinical tests.
Performs a variety of environmental tests.
Distributes results to appropriate provider, clinic/ department.
Faxes and promptly calls all abnormal/panic results to ordering physician/provider.
Complies and attests to HIPAA regulations.
Complies with and follows Universal Standard Precautions.
Decontaminates work surfaces and/or equipment as specified in Blood Borne Pathogen policy manual.
Disposes of hazardous waste using Standard Precautions.
Stocks and rotate stock as needed in laboratory and phlebotomy areas.
Performs, submits, and reviews Proficiency Testing Results.
Prepares daily totals for labs/water testing, and patient seen monthly for WTU report.
Records temperatures as required.
Maintains laboratory supply inventory and submits monthly lab orders to the Finance Administrator.
Performs preventative maintenance on all equipment as needed.
Attends workshops, updates, and/or educational sessions that are deemed pertinent.
Serves as a Management Team member.
Serves as Quality Assurance member.
Serves as Epidemiology Team member.
Participates in Public Health Preparedness activities as directed by agency management; this employee will be expected to work as needed during public health emergencies, which may result in extended hours and long work shifts.
Other duties as assigned by supervisor, Health Director, or Deputy Health Director.