Job Description

A Medical Technologist is responsible for conducting laboratory tests which provide information to physicians for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of diseases in patients.

Essential Functions:
* Promotes the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Exhibits and adheres to WMC’s Standards of Performance in all areas of job duties and responsibilities.
* Participates in hospital initiatives and in departmental goals set by the Laboratory Director and staff.
* Interacts professionally with laboratory management, laboratory personnel, physicians, hospital personnel, patients and customers to provide optimal patient care.
* Works well with other laboratory employees to maintain an environment of teamwork.
* Exercises all laboratory safety precautions and adheres OSHA and TOSHA safety regulations
* Positively identifies patients, labels specimens and enters results using two unique identifiers. Maintains working knowledge of laboratory policies and procedures.
* Maintains current knowledge and adheres to hospital policies and state, federal and other regulatory requirements
* Responds appropriately to tests with a priority of STAT, call results or timed specimens
* Responsible for training new employees and students as assigned.
* Performs high-complexity testing
* Notifies nursing and/or physician of critical lab values with complete documentation on report
* Responsible for instrument calibrations, maintenance and troubleshooting problems.
* Performs quality control as outlined by departmental procedures.
* Reviews pending and outstanding reports and resolves outstanding specimens
* Other duties as needed/assigned.

Position Requirements:
Formal Education / Training:
* BS degree in Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science or equivalent
* Valid State of Tennessee Medical Technologist license

Workplace Experience:
* Laboratory experience preferred
* Meditech experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
* Knowledge of medical laboratory science
* Strong organizational skills and interpersonal skills
* Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations
* Ability to work independently, be attentive to detail and maintain a positive attitude
* Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
* Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial and legal information
* Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner
* Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner
* Strong computer skills

Physical and Environment Requirements:
* Exposure to blood and body fluids, infectious and contagious diseases, chemicals.
* Ability to communicate in English verbally and in writing.
* Ability to perform multi-functional tasks.
* Ability to read computer screen, distinguish color, hear phone and conduct interpersonal communications
* Ability to learn, reason and perform mathematical calculations related to job.
* Ability to use critical thinking skills.
* Requires light to moderate work with 40 pounds maximum weight to lift and carry.
* Manual dexterity and mobility in both hands; exposed to repetitive motion.
* Frequent reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.
* Requires prolonged standing and walking
* Flexibility to shift schedule, work extra hours or overtime as needed by staffing deficits or high patient volumes

Key Results
Works well with Management:
* Communicates potential issues/safety concerns in a timely manner
* Follows through on work assignments
* Communicates opportunities for improvement in a positive way
* Accepts reassignments as needed
Participates in departmental meetings and process improvement teams (laboratory or hospital, if applicable).
* In-services reviewed and signed before due date

Staff Mtg; in services signed on time
All signed on time = 5
1 late = 4
2 late = 3
3 late = 2
>=/4 late = 1
Motivated - takes initiative for work that needs to be done
* Helps section head with required tasks
* Performs maintenance without being asked or as assigned
* Follows through with incomplete report and documents on lead tech board without reminder
* Seeks out new tasks when work in area is done/caught up
* Floats to needed areas
Positively identifies patients and specimens
* 0 ID errors = 4
* 1 ID error = 3
* 2 ID errors = 2
>/= 3 ID errors = 1

Corrected reports that could affect outcome of patient kept to a minimum
* 0 Corrected Reports = 5
* 1 Corrected Report = 4
* 2 Corrected Reports = 3
* 3 Corrected Reports = 2
* >/=4 Corrected Reports = 1
Technical errors kept to a minimum (procedure not followed correctly - may affect patient care)
* 0 Technical Errors = 5
* 1 Technical Error = 4
* 2 Technical Errors = 3
* 3 Technical Errors = 2
* >/=4 Technical Errors = 1
Follows laboratory policies and procedures regarding:
* Testing
* Quality Control
* Maintenance and troubleshooting
Turn Around Time within acceptable time criteria for ER patients. Average time from Received to Resulted:
* <10 minutes 5
* 10 - 11.9 minutes 4
* 12 -13.9 minutes 3
* 14 - 15.9 minutes 2
* >/=16 minutes 1
Follows Hospital and Laboratory Policies on the use of Electronic Devices:
* Cell phones kept on vibrate
* Phones/Electronic/Headphones devices used during break/meal times only
* Does not use personal phones in patient care areas
* Uses the hospital internet for work purposes only
Adheres to WMC Lab Attendance policy
* Tardies/Absences kept to a minimum
* Rarely misses time punches in API
* Submits requests for PTO within policy guidelines
* Does not take extended lunches
* Takes appropriate breaks as dictated by workload

Turns out accurate laboratory results
* Checks specimen integrity
* Uses critical thinking skills when reporting results
* Troubleshoots problems related to laboratory values
Keeps up to date on safety issues involving CAP, Joint Commission, OSHA, TOSHA and hospital/laboratory safety regulations.
Provides effective communication
* Communicates problems/issues/concerns to lead tech
* Communicates problems/issues/concerns at shift change to co-worker
* Communicates testing delays to appropriate personnel
* Reads e-mail and communication logs during each work day.