Medical Laboratory Technician II

Jackson County, NC; Sylva (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jackson County Department of Public Health seeks a Medical Laboratory Technician II to perform complex lab procedures, analyses, and interpret results across clinics, outreach programs, and environmental health services.

This position assists as back-up supervisor when the Laboratory Technologist I is unavailable and adheres to established policies, procedures, and regulations while complying with HIPAA requirements.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in medical technology or certified lab tech program with 1 year of experience
• Or a high school diploma with 3 years of medical laboratory experience
• ASCP certification preferred
• Knowledge of HIPAA and public health lab practices

Responsibilities

• Performs routine and specialized laboratory tests and analyses
• Prepares specimens and processes them for reference laboratories
• Maintains quality control and calibration of analyzers
• Documents results and enters data into patient records
• Provides supervision to Medical Laboratory Assistant and students as needed
• Participates in Public Health preparedness activities as directed

Skills

Phlebotomy

Quality control

Specimen processing

Communication with patients

Education

Associate’s degree in medical technology

High school diploma with 3 years lab experience

ASCP certification preferred

Tools

Patagonia EHR

Job description

The Medical Laboratory Technician II will serve primarily to provide complex laboratory procedures, analyses, and interpretation of laboratory services for all clinics, outreach programs, and the environmental health services of the Jackson County Department of Public Health. All laboratory testing is performed according to policies, procedures, and regulations. The Medical Laboratory Technician II serves as back-up supervisor when Medical Laboratory Technologist I (Laboratory Supervisor) is out of the office. Grade 20

Work Schedule

Forty (40) hour week with the option to work Monday through Friday from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm or 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with (1) one hour for lunch; or four (4) ten (10)-hour workdays from 7:00 am until 5:30 pm with thirty (30) minutes for lunch; or Monday from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm with no lunch and Tuesday thru Friday from 7:00 am until 4:30 pm with thirty (30) minutes for lunch; based on department needs and supervisor approval. Occasional work late evening or weekend work may be required to complete testing. On call 24/7 for any unusual surveillance activities or events. The person in this position is required to work nights and weekends when necessitated.

Microbiology testing:

• Inoculating of urine cultures
• Performs sterility checks and QC on each media shipment and records on microbiology log sheet
• Performs wet mounts of vaginal secretions for indications of infections; i.e. WBC, yeast, trichomonas, bacteria, and "clue cells"
• Performs direct smears: gram stains for detection of Neisseria gonorrhea and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), other bacteria, and yeast
• Performs rapid methods: strep throat screens
• Reconstitutes and inoculates media, and for use in required QC testing procedures for cultures
• Complex procedures may use Oxidase for further identification and confirmation of bacteria

Hematology testing:

• Performs CBC (complete Blood Count) on Micros 60-DM Lite Analyzer. Reports out (9) parameters (RBC, HCT, MCV, HGB, WBC, MCH, MCHC, Platelet, and 3 Part Diff)
• Performs HemoCue 201 testing (hemoglobin semi-automated analyzer) for WIC, Family Planning, Adult Health Clinics (if indicated), and General Clinics

Chemistry testing:

• Performs Glucose screens
• Performs Glucose Tolerance Testing on DT HemoCue Glucose 201 Analyzer
• Performs Glucose and Cholesterol testing on Cholestech LDX Analyzer
• Performs Microalbumin testing on Clinitek Status Analyzer
• Performs Hemoglobin A1C on DCA 2000 or Afinion

Urinalysis testing:

• Performs dipstick (chemical) analysis on Clinitek Status Analyzer/ Clinitek 50 (back-up)
• Performs Urine Pregnancy testing
• Provides detailed instructions to patients for obtaining a clean catch mid-stream urine sample.
• Observes strict chain-of-custody required for drug screen for Perinatal, Prenatal, and urine drug screening for area businesses, Department of Social Services, and Jackson County Employees.

Miscellaneous Testing:

• Performs qualitative method detection of HCG in serum pregnancy test
• Performs Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate testing for detection of inflammation as with arthritis, lupus, etc.
• Performs Hemoccult testing for detection of blood in stool samples
• Performs Rapid Influenza A & B testing
• Performs Mono testing
• Performs GeneXpert (CEPHEID) Sars COVID-19 testing
• Performs Urine Drug Screen testing
• Performs Breath Alcohol Testing
• Collects specimens for Paternity/DNA analysis

Water Analysis:

• Performs water testing for coliform (total and fecal) bacteria
• Processes water sample for Nitrate testing to be transported to Environmental Inc in Sylva, North Carolina
• Record and mail water results to clients
• Calls and mails positive water sample results as indicated in the laboratory water manual
• Performs Water Proficiency Testing as indicated
• Instructs clients on proper collection of water samples for bacteria analysis, nitrate, and nitrite testing
• Performs required quality control on reagants, medias, as indicated by Public Water Supply Section
• Enter water results into EPA’s Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP)

General Duties:

• Performs routine phlebotomy services according to policies, procedures, and regulations; on and off-site for a variety of tests.
• Prepares and processes specimens to reference (public and private) laboratories in accordance with laboratory protocols and reference manuals
• Performs fingersticks; on and off site
• Performs start up and shut down of analyzers according to laboratory procedures
• Verifies that laboratory requisitions/ physician orders are complete and accurate
• Documents results on in-house logs, and enters results into patient’s record in Patagonia (Electronic Health Record)
• Answers general questions from patients or staff regarding laboratory procedures, patient preparation, policies, and protocols
• Greets patients timely and courteously
• Routes patients to other areas of clinic and/or waiting areas
• Performs Breath Alcohol Testing for contracted agencies
• Performs complex procedures and analysis
• Performs routine and standardized tests
• Performs Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and calibration procedures as outlined for clinical and environmental test procedures
• Performs a variety of clinical tests
• Performs a variety of environmental tests
• Distributes results to appropriate provider, clinic/ department
• Faxes and promptly calls all abnormal/ panic results to ordering physician or department
• Complies and attests to HIPAA regulations
• Complies with and follows Standard Precautions
• Decontaminates work surfaces and/or equipment as specified in Blood Borne Pathogen policy manual
• Disposes of hazardous waste using Standard Precautions
• Stocks and rotate stock as needed in laboratory and phlebotomy areas
• Provides Medical Technologist I with supply orders
• Performs and reviews Proficiency TestingPrepares daily totals for labs/ water testing, and patients seen for monthly WTU report
• Records temperatures as required
• Start up and shut down of analyzers according to laboratory procedures
• Performs preventative maintenance on all equipment as needed
• Packages lab specimens for courier (North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, Harris Regional Hospital Lab, etc.)
• Maintains laboratory supply inventory
• Attends workshops, updates, and/or educational sessions that are deemed pertinent
• Possess and maintain a valid North Carolina Driver’s License
• Provides supervision to Medical Laboratory Assistant and students as needed
• Performs daily review of patient’s results in the Electronic Health Record when Medical Laboratory Technologist I (Lab Supervisor) is unavailable.
• Sends monthly invoices for water clients to Accounts Receivable as indicated
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Participating in Public Health Preparedness activities as directed by agency management; this employee will be expected to work as needed during public health emergencies, which may result in extended hours and long work shifts
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor, Health Director, or Deputy Health Director

Associate’s degree in medical technology from an appropriately accredited institution or completion of a certified laboratory assistant course in medical technology or a comparable course, and (1) one year of medical laboratory experience; or high school or General Education Development diploma and (3) three years of medical laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. ASCP Certification preferred.

• General knowledge of techniques, principles, and instrumentation used in public health laboratory medicine
• General knowledge of applicable laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and terminology
• General knowledge of the variety of laboratory procedures performed in the laboratory
• General knowledge of specimen processing
• Knowledge of the basic physiological processes being monitored and how the medical laboratory science is applied
• Skill in use of laboratory equipment
• Skill in the performance of laboratory procedures
• Ability to make accurate observations and written reports of test results
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance and quality control practices
• General knowledge of common health and safety precautions in working in a local health department
• Ability to use sound judgment and empathy in dealing with patients
• Ability to provide confidentiality and observation of HIPAA laws and regulations

Statement of Equal Employment Opportunity

Jackson County recognizes its continued success in meeting the needs of its citizens requires the full and active participation of talented and committed individuals, regardless of their gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or political affiliation. It is the policy of the County to foster, maintain, and promote equal opportunity by use of a systematic, consistent recruitment program, and to identify and attract the most qualified applicants for employment with the County. This policy is to be achieved by announcing all position vacancies, by evaluating all applicants using the same criteria, and by applying testing methods through the NC Career Works Office. Selection decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or sexual orientation.