Clinical Laboratory Scientist / Med Tech - Fayette, AL

DCH Health System; Fayette (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

DCH Health System is seeking a Laboratory Technician to obtain and prepare specimens for testing and to perform automated and non-automated lab procedures to aid in diagnosis and treatment. Responsibilities include collecting specimens, operating instruments, and maintaining quality control.

The role requires certification eligibility within 18 months (MT/CLS) and a 90-day window to obtain BLS certification, with strong emphasis on accuracy, safety, and patient care across age groups.

Qualifications

• Certification (MT or CLS) required within 18 months of employment from ASCP, NCA, AMT, or AAB.
• Must obtain BLS certification within 90 days of employment and maintain thereafter.
• Must read, write, speak, and comprehend English.

Responsibilities

• Collect blood specimens by venipuncture or capillary method for neonatal to geriatric patients.
• Perform basic and advanced laboratory procedures with age-specific considerations.
• Calibrate, standardize, operate, maintain and troubleshoot instruments; perform quality control.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Certification eligible within 18 months (MT/CLS)

Tools

Automated analyzers

Quality control software

Job description

Overview

Obtains and/or prepares specimens for laboratory testing. Performs automated and non-automated laboratory tests providing quality lab results for inpatient and outpatient customers to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients, according to established policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Collects blood specimens by venipuncture or capillary method on neonatal, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients in a timely manner and collects urine drug screens according to DOT specifications.
• Performs both basic and advanced emergency, therapeutic, and diagnostic laboratory procedures with knowledge regarding age specific laboratory needs of the neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patient.
• Calibrates, standardizes, operates, maintains, and troubleshoots various instruments following established procedures. Performs quality control to ensure proper functioning of instruments, reagents, and procedures. Recognizes instrument malfunctions or out-of-control test results and takes appropriate corrective action.
• Responsible for all documentation required for the tasks performed, including review and troubleshooting of quality control, linearity tests, correlations, proficiency testing results, and specimen rejections.
• Adheres to infection control and safety practices according to policies and procedures
• Responsible for training and teaching theory and practical applications to others as directed by laboratory management. Participates and /or assists in teaching continuing education courses and/or competencies.
• Inventories, orders, and stocks supplies. Checks, inspects, and ensures proper storage and handling, while minimizing waste.
• Answers inquiries about test results, methodology, specificity, sensitivity, and interpretation.
• Resolves billing and order errors as they are identified.
• Must serve as primary or secondary responsible person in at least two assigned areas or instruments for the purpose of maintaining the assigned areas in survey readiness. That responsibility may include all or part of maintenance, quality control, training, assessing competencies, and procedures for the assigned area. These duties should be shared equally with another assigned team member.
• May be assigned as "Charge Tech" as required.

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.

• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.

• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Certification (MT or CLS) is required within 18 months after employment from one of the following agencies: American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), the National Certifying Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel (NCA), the American Medical Technologist (AMT), or the American Association of Bio-analysts (AAB). If an employee does not meet the certification requirement within 18 months of employment, he/she will no longer qualify for this position.Abilities are demonstrated in areas of assigned responsibilities by successful completion of annual laboratory competency testing. Must obtain BLS certification within 90 days of employment and maintain thereafter.

Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.

Working Conditions

WORK CONTEXT

• Must be extremely accurate under moderate time restraints
• Must be able to work with disease causing agents
• Must be able to actively participate in conflict resolutions within the department and with those served by the department.
• Must communicate on multiple platforms.
• Must be working with people closely most of the time
• Must be able to flex their schedule to meet the varying needs of patient care.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
• The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness

• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
• The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

OTHER JOB FACTORS

• Must be able to achieve work with minimal supervision.
• Must complete assigned tasks independently and within time expectations or involve the team in a support process.
• Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.