MLS/MLT, Laboratory

Heywood Hospital•Gardner, MA

About The Position

The MLS/MLT is a general rotating clinical laboratory position that works in all laboratory departments. The role performs a wide array of laboratory procedures, exercises independent judgment, and participates in evaluating existing procedures. The MLS/MLT works with supervisors and coworkers on patient testing, quality control, correlation studies, and special projects, and actively participates in specimen collection. Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills are required. The position performs patient and proficiency testing; evaluates quality control and specimen acceptability; maintains and troubleshoots laboratory analyzers; collects or assists with collection of specimens; communicates urgent or relevant results and information to clinicians and other healthcare professionals; and supports safe, accurate, efficient laboratory operations. The MLS/MLT also contributes to staff and student orientation and training, education, testing protocol development, and cost-effective use of supplies and reagents. The role includes maintaining patient privacy, safety, confidentiality, and a clean and organized work environment, and following applicable policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Schedule: 32 hours, days, 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m., with rotating weekends. The posted base pay range is $29.27–$37.54 per hour.

Requirements

For the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) pathway: an associate degree in science and completion of clinical training in an approved school of medical technology for MLTs, or equivalent.
For the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) pathway: a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or a major in chemical, physical, or biological science, plus completion of clinical training in an approved school of medical technology or documented laboratory training of at least three months in each specialty in which the individual performs high-complexity testing.
Alternatively for the MLS pathway: an associate degree in clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or a major in chemical, physical, or biological science, or equivalent; the required clinical or documented laboratory training of at least three months in each specialty involving high-complexity testing; and registration as an MLS or MT through ASCP, AAB, HEW, or AMT.
Be a responsible individual attuned to hospital operations.
Be self-motivated and conscientious, with a commitment to providing good-quality patient care.
Effectively communicate in English, verbally and in writing.
Have basic computer knowledge.
Operate photometers, spectrographs, colorimeters, and microscopes correctly and safely.
Meet the stated physical demands: exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds frequently, and a negligible amount constantly; frequently reach, handle objects, and distinguish colors; occasionally use depth perception.

Nice To Haves

MLT registration through ASCP.
MLS or MT registration through ASCP, AAB, HEW, or AMT for the bachelor’s-degree pathway.
Additional language skills.

Responsibilities

Conduct interactions in a friendly, courteous, and respectful manner; offer assistance or help connect people with someone who can.
Protect privacy and confidentiality and help maintain awareness of these requirements.
Maintain a clean and safe hospital and workstation; respond appropriately and immediately to emergencies; help prevent risks and injuries to patients, visitors, and staff.
Comply with regulations, policies, and procedures related to accreditation, licensure, attendance, mandatory requirements, incident reporting, hand hygiene, and safety.
Identify patients and specimens appropriately before collection or analysis.
Perform scheduled preventative maintenance on analyzers; recognize and evaluate instrument errors and malfunctions, resolve them when possible, and notify the department supervisor.
Perform, evaluate, and accept or reject quality control results according to guidelines; troubleshoot unacceptable results and take appropriate action when controls remain outside acceptable ranges.
Analyze patient and proficiency samples, prioritizing routine, urgent, and stat work to maintain workflow.
Notify clinicians of abnormal results requiring immediate attention and communicate relevant patient information to healthcare professionals who need it.
Perform venipunctures and capillary punctures when necessary and assist with specimen collection when requested.
Evaluate specimens for laboratory testing acceptability and take appropriate action when specimens are unacceptable.
Educate patients and coworkers about correct specimen collection procedures and assess the quality and acceptability of collected specimens.
Support coworkers and provide assistance when necessary; perform some or all supervisor duties for short periods when the supervisor is absent or unavailable.
Maintain accurate records and reports, attend to detail, and perform work accurately.
Acquire, retain, apply, and teach knowledge about technological advances, disease processes, regulatory matters, and testing principles through educational activities, in-services, or seminars.
Enter and edit patient and specimen ordering information in the computer system to maintain accurate testing and billing records.
Orient and train new employees and students; participate as an instructor and assist with curriculum development when necessary.
Coordinate development of new testing protocols when assigned, including correlation studies, normal-range calculations, and policies and procedures to support test accuracy, precision, and validity.
Use department supplies and reagents cost-effectively and assist the supervisor with cost-benefit analyses of testing protocols.
Maintain a safe environment by keeping potentially harmful objects and substances inaccessible to children, reducing fall and trip hazards, making ambulation devices available, and following policies for gait belts and similar devices.
Accommodate patients’ needs related to hearing, pain management, mobility, endurance, strength, and communication, and follow procedures to prevent neonate, infant, and child abduction.