MLT, Medical Lab Technician I - General Lab

CHRISTUS Health; Longview (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

CHRISTUS Health is seeking a Laboratory professional to perform clinical testing across general laboratory, Blood Bank, and Microbiology sections. Duties include quality control, proficiency testing, and preventative maintenance of equipment, with meticulous specimen handling and reporting of results.

The role requires compliance with CAP, AABB, CLIA, JCAHO, OSHA standards and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in clinical laboratory science or medical laboratory technology or equivalent training.
• Military medical laboratory training course of at least 50 weeks with the relevant specialty.
• 60 semester hours with required science/chemistry coursework or equivalent.
• Clinical laboratory training program ABHES/NAACLS accredited or similar recognized by HHS.

Responsibilities

• Perform clinical testing in general laboratory, Blood Bank, and Microbiology sections with quality control and proficiency testing.
• Notify medical team of abnormal/critical values following guidelines.
• Perform clerical, phlebotomy, and routine lab duties to support daily operations.
• Provide/dispense blood products as requested by medical staff.
• Ensure safety, CAP/AABB/JCAHO/CLIA compliance and complete competency assessments.

Skills

Phlebotomy

Quality control

Proficiency testing

Laboratory testing

Education

Assoc. degree in CLT/MLS

50-week military medical lab training

60 semester hours with science/chemistry

ABHES/NAACLS training accreditation

Tools

LIS systems

HIS systems

Automated analyzers

Job description

Summary

Performs clinical testing in assigned section/s such as general laboratory, Blood Bank and Microbiology sections, with all duties necessary for accurate and timely results including quality control, performance improvement, proficiency testing, and preventative maintenance of equipment. Recognizes abnormal critical values and follows proper guidelines for notifying medical team members of results. Performs clerical, general, and phlebotomy duties related to daily operations in the laboratory. Provides/dispenses blood products as requested by medical staff.

Responsibilities

• Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
• Ensures that the company philosophy and core values are evident in the service delivered to customers.
• Specimen Collection/Handling/Processing– obtains blood specimens via venipuncture and/or fingerstick, accurately identifies and labels appropriately; answers pneumatic tube system; follows procedures for processing and testing specimens, including operating various centrifuges; obtains other designated patient specimens as listed in procedure manuals.
• Result Reporting – recognizes errors or improbable results and takes appropriate action; reports critical values per Policy and Procedure; performs tests within established timeframe; performs laboratory testing, if designated, in the following sections: Hematology, Urinalysis, Coagulation, Chemistry, Special Chemistry, ER Stat Lab, and Microbiology; performs blood bank procedures, including crossmatching, ab id’s, and dispensing of blood products; operates laboratory automated analyzers according to established procedures.
• Performs, analyzes, and records QC according to Policy & Procedure following CLIA, CAP, AABB, and JCAHO guidelines; performs and records Performance Improvement indicators and reports results.
• Performs established daily and periodic preventative maintenance with documentation; troubleshoots minor problems and initiates service calls as needed; orders (or notifies assigned associate) and restocks supplies/reagents; reviews policy & procedure manual; dates reagents and discards expired reagents.
• Takes responsibility for seeking and achieving professional growth and continued education.
• Assists in training new associates and students in Laboratory practices.
• Follows CAP, AABB, Compliance, CLIA, JCAHO, and OSHA standards.
• Follows established protocols for safety, infection control, security, compliance, and the use of hazardous materials.
• Utilizes LIS and HIS computer systems appropriately to perform, charge, and report laboratory results.
• Completes annual competency assessment successfully and by assigned date.

Job Requirements

Education/Skills

• Associates Degree or higher in clinical laboratory science or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution or equivalent laboratory training and experience meeting the requirements defined in the CLIA regulation 42CFR493.1489:

  • Successfully completed an official U.S. military medical laboratory procedures training course of at least 50 weeks duration and currently hold the military enlisted occupational specialty of medical laboratory specialist (laboratory technician);

    OR

  • 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution that, at a minimum, includes either 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses, OR 24 semester hours of science courses that include six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology or medical laboratory technology in any combination;

    AND

  • Laboratory training including either completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by the ABHES, NAACLS, or other organization approved by HHS (note that this training may be included in the 60 semester hours listed above), or at least three months documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the individual performs high complexity testing.

Experience

• No experience required for graduates of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by NAACLS, or other organizations approved by HHS.

  OR

• Six Months of approved clinical laboratory experience, which must include a clinical rotation through the following sections of the laboratory: Blood Banking, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Hematology, Immunology, and Urinalysis/Body Fluids in the U.S. or with an accredited laboratory within the last 5 years. (This meets the AMT MLT eligibility requirement).

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Louisiana requires State Licensure.
• New Graduate that is Board Certified or eligible (must complete Board Certification in 1 year of hire, Louisiana excluded).

Work Schedule

6PM - 6AM 12 HR Shift

Work Type

Full Time