Medical Technologist / Medical Laboratory Technician

Patient First•Chesapeake, VA

About The Position

The Medical Technologist / Medical Laboratory Technician provides rapid, reliable, quality laboratory results and supports patient treatment and care. The position performs laboratory testing and specimen handling, maintains laboratory quality-control practices and equipment, processes laboratory orders and results in the medical record system, and assists physicians, extenders, and nurses with patient care. The role also supports center operations through stocking, sterilizing, cleaning, maintenance assignments, training, and other duties as directed. Employees may be asked to work at any center due to staffing needs, emergencies, or reduced workload, and may need to assist at any time to support patient care and operations. The employee must be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate or equivalent, and meet one of the listed education or training pathways. Two years of clinical laboratory testing experience is preferred. The position requires laboratory knowledge and technical skills, including specimen collection and venipuncture, instrument use and maintenance, interpretation and correlation of laboratory results, and the ability to produce dependable results during high-volume periods. Annual CPR certification is required.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate or equivalent and meet at least one of these qualifications: 60 semester hours of college including related courses such as chemistry, biology, and medical laboratory techniques; an associate or bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology; one year of documented technician training in a formal program appropriate for the testing performed; or a 50-week military Medical Laboratory Procedures course and service in the military enlisted occupational specialty of Medical Laboratory Specialist. Written training documentation is required.
Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing.
Minimum typing experience.
Thorough knowledge of medical technology principles, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to perform a broad range of testing.
Knowledge of mathematical and statistical methods sufficient to calculate and convert analytical data to test results.
Ability to produce rapid, reliable, quality laboratory results during high-volume periods of 100 or more patients per day.
Knowledge and skill sufficient to use and maintain laboratory instrumentation.
Knowledge of related disciplines to integrate and correlate test results with other laboratory data and clinical information.
Understanding of laboratory science and its application to correlate laboratory results with patient symptoms and diagnoses.
Proficiency in venipuncture, fingerstick collections, and drug-screen collections.
Annual CPR certification.
Ability to hear pages, bells, and the phone system.
Ability to sit, stand, and walk for long periods, possibly 4–7 hours at a time.
Ability to lift moderately heavy to heavy items weighing 20–50 pounds.
Ability to multitask, prioritize work, and take initiative in varying volumes and dynamic situations.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience in clinical laboratory testing preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide quality and rapid laboratory results using appropriate analyses, procedures, equipment, and safety practices.
Follow procedures for specimen collection, handling, processing, test analyses, reporting, and recordkeeping.
Follow laboratory quality-control policies and document quality-control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and maintenance.
Order laboratory, x-ray, and medical supplies in the medical record system under written or direct verbal physician orders.
Assist physicians, extenders, and nurses with patient treatment and care, including locating patients, obtaining vital signs, triaging, assessing problems, and preparing patients for examinations and treatment.
Respond respectfully and promptly to requests from physicians, extenders, and nurses.
Follow and document corrective actions when test systems do not meet established performance levels.
Identify and troubleshoot problems that may affect test performance or reporting, correcting them or notifying the Lab Supervisor, Lab Consultant, or Director of Laboratory Services.
Understand and perform all duties on the checklists associated with the position.
Use correct medical terminology and stay informed of new policies and procedures; implement policies and procedures as directed.
Sterilize and set up instruments, stock the laboratory and treatment area, handle laundry, and maintain cleanliness of the treatment area and other center areas as needed.
Attend mandatory training and continuing education, including CPR and code-drill classes, and attend staff meetings as directed.
Work at any center when needed due to staffing, emergencies, or reduced workload; remain available to assist with patient care or center operations as needed.
Use the medical record system to process patients, order and report laboratory tests, manage medical records, and address hardware or software problems.
Work with fellow employees and externs during on-the-job training.
Perform duties within the scope of the position and assigned shift, including when the time needed to complete duties is indeterminate.
Operate, maintain, and use medical and office equipment as trained; participate in maintenance assignments when necessary and as directed.
Complete other duties as directed.