Medical Lab Scientist

Job Summary

The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) provides laboratory services for the consumers of healthcare to include both LMC inpatients and outpatients. The MLS ensures excellent quality in laboratory testing and accurate forms of analysis that improve patient outcomes. The MLS performs both routine and specialty testing that provides fast, precise information for patient diagnosis and treatment.

Essential Functions

• Manual laboratory testing (no or little automation).
• Automated laboratory testing (requiring instrumentation to complete testing).
• Collection of specimens: May be required to perform venipunctures to include capillary punctures for blood specimens from patients of various ages requiring developmentally appropriate techniques.
• Process laboratory specimens related to assigned departments.
• Select, perform, evaluating, and monitoring the performance of test procedures independently using manual and/or instrumental techniques.
• Perform instrument calibration and verify data to meet manufacturer’s specifications; perform routine quality control, preventative maintenance, and verification of correct instrument operation; recognize indicators of malfunction and perform corrective action.
• Perform trouble-shooting procedures on all assigned department equipment, communicate with service, and relay appropriate information to appropriate personnel; document appropriately.
• Review patient and instrument data for accuracy and maintain proper records (i.e., quality control reports).
• Recognize abnormal results, evaluate and correlate data with other test results/diagnosis; interpret appropriately and conduct follow-up action if required; seek appropriate assistance with problems.
• Perform proper notification of abnormal results per policy.
• Achieve and maintain competency for waived, moderate and high complexity testing checked semi-annually the first year of hire and annually thereafter) in all testing assigned.
• Adhere to safety policies and procedures as established by LMC.
• Provide patient care/support that is appropriate to the cognitive, physical, and emotional needs of the patient group served.
• Perform all assigned testing independently and successfully multi-task as necessary; promote teamwork within the department.
• Perform additional assignments independently such as inventory of supplies, write or revise laboratory procedures/manuals, reports, and other documents.
• Review quality control documents for QC outliers and trends and take appropriate action; print and review such documents as abnormal results, critical values, overdue logs/pending logs and communicate appropriately.
• Train new employees/students on technical procedures and equipment as assigned.

Duties & Responsibilities

Works with others (e.g. coworkers, nurses and physicians and other healthcare workers, laboratory and hospital administration, patients and families) in a teamwork approach that promotes/encourages each person’s contributions toward achieving optimal goals. Informs other personnel of circumstances that may affect the quality of testing and takes the responsibility to initiate appropriate follow-up. Notifies appropriate personnel of critical test results or results that are deemed “alert” values. If interpretation or explanation of test results is sought, the MLS independently takes the responsibility that the appropriate information is given or referred to a supervisor or Pathologist. Courteous and accurate in all communications and follows LMC confidentiality policies. Demonstrates the ability to facilitate learning for coworkers, students, and other members of the health care team and community. This could include both formal and informal facilitation of learning. Maintains established continuing education requirements for national certification and for MLS LMC level requirements. Participates in the teaching of medical laboratory science students/new employees in a clinical setting. Possesses sensitivity to recognize, appreciate, and incorporate differences into the provision of care. Differences may include, but are limited to, cultural differences, spiritual beliefs, gender, race, ethnicity, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, age and values. Demonstrates the ongoing process of questioning and evaluating procedures and methods of testing. Creates changes through research utilization and experiential learning. Demonstrates of clinical reasoning, which includes decision-making, critical thinking, and informed experiential knowledge and skill. Ensure Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals are discarded, stored, and managed with other compatible waste streams in containers that are properly labeled and closed prior to being shipped offsite for proper disposal. Initial RCRA training is received within 6 months of the hire date and continuing with annual RCRA training. Performs all other duties as assigned.