Medical Technologist / Medical Laboratory Technician

Patient First•Stafford, VA

2d•$32 - $37•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for providing quality and rapid lab results by utilizing knowledge of laboratory analyses, proper procedures, work equipment, and safety protocols. The position involves following established laboratory procedures for specimen handling, test analysis, reporting, and record maintenance. A key aspect of the role is adhering to quality control policies, documenting all quality control activities, and performing instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance. The Medical Technologist/Technician will also order necessary lab, x-ray, and medical supplies, and assist physicians, extenders, and nurses with patient treatment and care. This includes tasks such as locating patients, obtaining vital signs, triaging, assessing patient problems, and preparing patients for examinations and treatments. The role requires handling requests from medical staff respectfully and promptly, and implementing corrective actions when test systems deviate from acceptable performance levels. Troubleshooting problems that may affect test performance or results, and notifying supervisors when necessary, are also crucial. The position demands a thorough understanding of all checklists associated with the role, proficiency in using correct medical terminology, and staying updated on new policies and procedures. Daily tasks include sterilizing instruments, stocking supplies, handling laundry, and maintaining cleanliness of the treatment area and other center areas. The role also requires attending mandatory training, continuing education classes (including CPR and code drills), and staff meetings. Flexibility is essential, as employees may be required to work at different centers due to staffing needs, emergencies, or reductions in work. Availability to assist as needed, with potential interruptions to breaks and mealtimes, is expected. Proficiency in using the medical record system for patient processing, ordering/reporting lab tests, and managing medical records is necessary. The role involves working with colleagues and externs during training and understanding that indeterminate amounts of time may be required for various duties, all of which must be completed within the assigned shift. Medical equipment operation, maintenance, and participation in maintenance assignments are also part of the responsibilities, along with completing other directed duties.

Requirements

Employee must be 18 years of age or older
Ability to communicate well verbally and in writing
Minimum typing experience
Employee must be a high school graduate (or equivalent) and must meet one of the following requirements: Minimum of 60 semester hours of college, with related courses including chemistry, biology, and medical laboratory techniques, or an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology; or One year of documented technician training in a formal training program appropriate for the testing performed; or Fifty-week military Medical Laboratory Procedures course and have held the military enlisted occupational specialty of “Medical Laboratory Specialist.” Written documentation of training must be provided
Must have a thorough knowledge of Medical Technology principles, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to perform a broad range of testing
Must have knowledge of mathematical and statistical methods sufficient to calculate and convert analytical data to test results
Must be able to produce rapid, reliable, quality laboratory results during periods of high volume (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 in making comprehensive analytical correlations of laboratory results with patient symptoms and diagnoses
Proficiency in performing venipuncture, fingerstick collections, and drug screen collections
Annual CPR certification
Must be able to hear pages, bells, and phone system
Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time (possibly 4-7 hours at a time)
Must be able to lift moderately heavy to heavy items (20-50 lbs.)
Ability to multitask, prioritize work, and take initiative based on varying volume and dynamic situations

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience in clinical laboratory testing preferred.

Responsibilities

Providing quality and rapid lab results involving knowledge of laboratory analyses, proper procedures, work equipment, and safety procedures
Following the laboratory’s procedures for specimen collection, handling, and processing, as well as for test analyses, reporting, and maintaining records of test results
Adhering to the laboratory’s quality control policies and documenting all quality control activities and instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance
Ordering various lab, x-ray, and medical supplies in the medical record system for patients under the written or direct verbal orders of the Physician
Assisting Physicians, Extenders, and Nurses with patient treatment and care including locating patients, obtaining accurate vital signs by visual and auditory measures, triaging patients, assessing patients’ problems, and preparing patients for physicals and medical treatment by Physicians, Extenders, and Nurses
Handling Physician, Extender, and Nurse requests with respect and in a timely manner
Following the established corrective action policies and procedures of the laboratory whenever test systems are not within the laboratory’s established acceptable levels of performance and documenting those actions
Identifying and troubleshooting problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results either by correcting the problem or notifying the Lab Supervisor, Lab Consultant, or Director of Laboratory Services
Understanding all checklists and being able to perform all duties on the checklists associated with the position
Using correct medical terminology
Keeping informed of all new policies and procedures
Implementing established policies and procedures as directed
Sterilizing and setting up instruments, stocking the lab and treatment area, and handling laundry
Maintaining cleanliness of the treatment area and other areas of the center as needed
Attending all mandatory training and continuing education classes (including CPR classes, code drill classes, etc.)
Attending staff meetings as directed
Willing to work at any center due to staffing, a center emergency, or a reduction of work
Being available to assist as needed (breaks and mealtimes may be interrupted at any time to provide necessary patient care or to maintain center operations)
Understanding and using the medical record system, including, but not limited to processing of the patient, ordering and reporting lab tests, medical records, and hardware or software problems
Working with fellow employees and externs during on-the-job training
Understanding an indeterminate amount of time may be required for performing various duties within the scope of each job description; all duties on the checklist are to be performed within the shift assigned
Operating, maintaining, and using medical and office equipment as trained
Participating in maintenance assignments (i.e., when necessary and as directed)
Completing other duties as directed