Full-time Medical Laboratory Technician - MLT

Lexington Regional Health Center

Title: Medical Laboratory Technician - MLT

Supervisor: Director of Laboratory

Department: Laboratory

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Principle duties and responsibilities

1. Collects blood samples from infants, children, adults and geriatrics.
2. Performs laboratory tests per providers' orders. Enters test results into the computer system.
3. Performs specimen testing.
4. Processes specimens according to testing requirements: centrifuge, separate, protect from light, refrigerate or freeze samples to prepare them for testing.
5. Performs laboratory testing on patients following standard operating procedures.
6. Performs drug screen collections and breath alcohol testing according to Department of Transportation (DOT) training; performs DNA collections.
7. Analyzes test results to ensure quality, using factors independent to each test: sex, age, specimen quality/handling, instrument performance, patient history, race.
8. Faxes or mails results to the appropriate care provider.
9. Assist patients, care providers, nurses and others with questions concerning lab testing, requirements, results, etc.
10. Performs maintenance and quality control following procedures to properly clean and maintain instruments and ensures proper functioning.
11. Answers laboratory questions from patients and care providers.
12. Schedules laboratory collections for patients.
13. Notifies supervisor when inventory needs to be ordered. Puts away, rotates and restocks supplies as necessary.
14. Performs laboratory tests for Corporate Wellness health screenings and school visits as necessary.
15. Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.
16. Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens (eg: collection of blood specimens, handling of specimens for culture and anatomical specimens, etc.)
17. Responsible for following safe-blood collection practices.
18. Responsible for safe bagging and disposal of biohazardous waste.
19. Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards.
20. Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (Teamstepps, Just Culture, etc.).
21. Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required.
22. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Ability to understand and follow laboratory testing procedures for each test performed, evaluate test results for pre-analytical failures or instrument malfunction, and analyze each test result for accuracy. Phlebotomy skills and working with various instrumentation, computer systems and Laboratory Information Systems as is typically acquired through the completion of an Associate's Degree as Medical Laboratory Technician.
2. Certification through ASCP or equivalent agency required.
3. Basic Life Support certification via American Heart Association required within six months of hire.
4. Ability to understand and follow Laboratory testing procedures for each test performed.
5. Ability to understand and follow hospital-wide and laboratory-specific policies.
6. Ability to understand and follow laboratory testing procedures for each test performed.
7. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information.
8. Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level.
9. Ability to immediately respond to common inquiries and complaints from patients, employees and regulatory agencies.
10. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, explaining specimen collection and/or testing that will be performed.
11. Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principle duties and responsibilities.

Working conditions

1. Works in a normal patient care environment, well lighted and ventilated with minimal exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature, etc.
2. Occasionally exposed to unpleasant specimens and odors up to 10% of the time.
3. May be exposed to blood-borne pathogens up to 90% of the time, personal protective equipment must be worn when drawing or working with specimens.
4. Performs up to 90% of shift being able to access countertop 40 inches high for work activities, drawing blood, and transporting material around facility. Rest of shift is seated to complete desk related work. During blood draws, will need to access the patient by bending, squatting, or getting into other positions to achieve the draw, 15-20 draws per day on average. A wheelchair is pushed to help maneuver patient into room, requiring 40 horizontal force pounds 50 feet. Lab tray cart is pushed onto hospital patient floor requiring 5 horizontal force pounds up to 300 feet in distance. A lab tray weighing 6 pounds is transported 50 feet from lab to Urgent Care or Emergency Room for draws. Required to access shelves at heights from 5 inches from floor up to 86 inches high for supplies ranging up to an 8 pound box at 82 inches high and a 46 pound Isoton fluid box 7 inches from floor. A 2-step stool can be used to access high shelves. May help with transporting supplies for health fairs completed outside of facility, transporting totes weighing 25 pounds a distance of 150 feet. In an emergency, may need to catch a patient if he or she begins to faint during a blood draw.
5. Exposure to chemicals and other hazards related to patient care. Appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. must be used to minimize risk of injury.
6. Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated surfaces such as patient equipment.

Management responsibilities

1. None

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.