Medical Technologist-Core Lab- Full Time - Chicago, United States - Loretto Hospital

Description

Under the general supervision of the Technical Supervisor, Accurate clinical diagnosis is important as it affects the physician's ability to formulate, initiate, and monitor effective medical treatment. the Medical Technologist is responsible for performing clinical testing on patient specimens originating from all age specific groups of in-patients, out-patients and employees of the hospital. The Medical Technologist is responsible for demonstrating and utilizing technical and analytical skills to provide physicians with necessary diagnostic information for the initiation of proper medical care and treatment of patients. The quality of treatment and care rendered to hospital patients is of paramount importance. The duties performed by hospital staff in this position will demonstrate what is best for the patient as well as promote development of an awareness and cooperation reflecting the interrelationship of departments in caring, comforting and healing the sick and injured.

Performance Criteria

1 Utilizes technical and professional skills to assess patient test results based upon specimen collection and integrity, patient age specific criteria, disease status, previous clinical results and instrument function.

2. Reports proper age specific reference ranges related to neonate, infant, toddler, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient types.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESinclude the following. Other duties may be assigned

STANDARD I: Performs all duties of a Medical Technologist as well as those duties

Required by Specific Work center assignments.

Performance Criteria:

1. Sign out Blood Bank units to the clinical staff from the Blood Bank in the absence of the assigned Blood Bank Work-center employee.

2. Demonstrates satisfactory performance of duties as assigned to the Core Testing Work-centers (Attachment 2).

3. Demonstrates satisfactory performance of duties as assigned to the Microbiology Work-centers (Attachment 3).

4. Perform High-Mod-Low Complexity Point of Care testing in the Microbiology, Serology and Core Testing Work-centers.

4. Assists in performing phlebotomy duties as needed, e.g.: Take care of outpatients when phlebotomist is busy on the floor units, Provide phlebotomy services during the hours when phlebotomist is normally

not staffed (Evening and Night hours), When phlebotomist is seeking assistance due to difficult draw or staffing shortage.

STANDARD II: Assesses test results and equipment for accuracy and validity (Age Specific)

Performance Criteria

1. Evaluates, reviews and approves all finalized patient test results based upon specimen collection and integrity, patient age specific criteria, disease status, previous clinical results and instruments function.

1. Reports proper reference ranges related to life threatening situations as defined in standard

operating procedure.

3. Recognizes, reports, and documents critical or panic values related to life threatening situations as defined in standard operating procedure.

4. Recognizes and responds to computer generated flags for discrepancies noted from previous test results.

5. Verifies all critical or abnormal findings after consulting with Lead Technologist, Technical Supervisor, Manager, Laboratory Director, or Medical Director and report directly to physician or personnel for primary care of patient.

6. Establishes contact with the physician, when necessary, to request additional diagnostic information or provide the physician with information as approved by the Director or Medical Director.

STANDARD III: Performs Quality Control associated with patient testing and result accuracy.

Performance Criteria

1. Performs Quality Control testing daily, as required by standard operating procedure for specific assays.

2. Evaluates and compares results of quality control for accuracy, validity and acceptability based upon previous control records.

3. Documents quality control and appropriately responds to control results which are not acceptable following standard operating procedures.

4. Identifies, investigates, resolves and documents trends or unacceptable quality control results.

5. Notifies Lead Technologist, Technical Supervisor, Manager, Laboratory Director, or Medical Director of quality control problems and resolutions.

6. Demonstrates a fundamental knowledge of troubleshooting techniques for instruments/equipment within the work center.

STANDARD IV: Performs Preventive Maintenance on all instruments and equipment within an assigned Work center.

Performance Criteria

1. Functions independently in performing required Preventive Maintenance procedures associated with instruments and equipment within the Work center.

2. Documents daily, weekly, monthly, or annual Preventive Maintenance steps as identified in each individual instrument preventive maintenance program.

3. Notifies Lead Technologist, Technical Supervisor, Manager, Laboratory Director, or Medical Director of identified equipment problems or discrepancies noted in performing preventive maintenance procedures.

4. Documents the need to order supply parts required for preventive maintenance

procedures and notifies Lead Technologist, Technical Supervisor, Manager, Laboratory Director, or Medical Director.

5. Establishes contact with the physician, when necessary, to request additional diagnostic information or provide the physician with information as approved by the Lead Technologist, Technical Supervisor, Manager, Laboratory Director, or Medical Director.

STANDARD VI: Participates actively in Continuous Quality Improvement Monitoring and Quality

Assurance activities within the department/hospital.

Performance Criteria

1. Demonstrates knowledge of Hospital/Departmental Continuous Quality Improvements Monitoring Plans.

2. Recognizes and identifies situations which require monitoring and reports such to Lead Technologist, Technical Supervisor, Manager, Laboratory Director, or Medical Director

3. Documents error corrections, patient/physician issues and quality issues using established departmental mechanisms for Continuous Quality Improvement Monitoring.

4. Participates in Quality Assurance by gathering data, providing information and completing assignments as requested.

STANDARD V: Participates in efforts to improve the performance of the Organization and the department.

Performance Criteria

1. Participates in General Staff meetings as called by the Laboratory Director.

2. Participates in continuing education program.

3. Utilizes hospital/department policies/procedures.

4. Demonstrates knowledge of departmental standard operating procedures.

STANDARD VI: Participates in Continuing Education for personal and professional growth.

Performance Criteria

1. Attends continuing education programs, both mandatory and voluntary, as offered through the hospital or department.

2. Demonstrates willingness to attend education programs offered independent of the hospital/department.

3. Shares ideas and information received through education programs with the hospital/department /section for the improvement of the hospital/department/section.

4. Demonstrates knowledge, willingness to learn, and successful operation of the Laboratory Information System (LIS) for patient testing.

5. Maintains LIS security and patient record confidentiality required in standard operating procedures.

STANDARD VII: Implements guest relations in all interactions with patient's the general public and

employees.

Performance Criteria

1. Maintains professional appearance.

2. Always interacts with courtesy and respect proper to the moment and the person.

3. Writes correspondence which conveys a positive tone and displays clear, grammatically correct sentences and effective communication.

4. Uses proper telephone etiquette with every phone contact.

STANDARD VIII: Participates in annual safety, disaster, fire and infection Control programs utilizing knowledge gained in everyday work activities.

Performance Criteria

1. Attends mandatory programs.

2. Identifies hazards and reports such to the Lead Technologist, Technical Supervisor, Manager, Laboratory Director, or Medical Director

3. Attends and participates in periodic departmental safety reviews and inspections.

4. Uses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) according to hospital/department and Infection Control standard operating protocol.

STANDARD IX: Complies with and implements hospital and departmental mission.

Performance Criteria

1. Utilizes hospital and departmental value statements to direct daily work.

2. Promotes a caring and compassion health care environment.

3. Assists patients and patient families in understanding, accepting and following medical recommendations by providing diagnostics services to restore the patient to optimal health and well-being within the patient's capacity.

Organization Competencies:

1. Routine Test Performance:

Direct observations of routine test performance including patient preparation, specimen handling, processing and testing.

1. Result Reporting:

Monitoring the recording and reporting of results.

1. Intermediate Test Results:

Review of intermediate test results or worksheets, quality control records, proficiency testing results and preventive maintenance records.

1. Instrument Maintenance:

Direct observation of performance of instrument maintenance and function checks.

1. Assessment:

Assessment of test performance through testing previously analyzed specimen, internal blind samples or external proficiency samples.

1. Problem Solving:

Assessment of problem-solving skills

1. Time Management:

Efficient use of work time to complete assignments within expected time frames; ability to accept or respond to change in a manner that promotes and supports departmental/hospital goals and objectives.

1. Quality Improvement:

Strives for efficient, effective, high quality performance in self and the department; actively participates in problem solving activities related to departmental initiatives

1. Safety:

Follows safety and infection control policies and procedures to encourage a safe, secure environment of care appropriate to the needs of all those who utilize and are impacted by the department and Hospital; identifies indications of safety risks and evaluates and recommends results of corrective actions.

1. Teamwork:

Works in partnership with others; is flexible; responsive to the needs of the department by accepting additional assignments and/or assisting others to ensure the continuity of services.

1. Service Focus:

Values the importance of delivering high quality, innovative service to internal and external clients; understands the needs of the client; customer service focus.

1. Professional Growth:

Demonstrates the ability and willingness to maintain and improve job knowledge and skills; assumes personal responsibility for acquiring and learning materials; attends appropriate seminars, training, and competency sessions to establish and maintain credentials as required for job position.

Department Competencies:

Employee is also expected to meet following job specific and job-related competencies.

• Accurately identifies patient specimen before processing testing. Process and reports testing as per order.
• Follows department's patient results "Read Back" policy when notifying results.
• Follows all infection control policies including hand washing.
• Completes testing accurately and within established time limits.
• Involves in initiating troubleshooting instrument problem.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Must undergo documented competency assessment for testing personnel using the 6 procedures denoted under the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services for all testing performed.

1. MENTAL DEMANDS - Broad. Involves some independent judgments to decide what to do to assemble facts, determine variations from standard procedures, or plan other action to be taken to meet general objectives.

2. SERVICE RELATIONSHIPS - Important. Requires frequent contacts with many persons at different levels inside the hospital to carry out hospital policies and programs and obtain willing acceptance, consent or action. The Technical Supervisor must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed by the relative to his or her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed by the relative to his or her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed by the neonate, pediatric, adolescent, or geriatric patient group.

3. ACCOUNTABILITY - Requires general direction, while working from broad policies and on general objectives. Refers specific matters to superior only when interpretation of company policies and goals is necessary.

-Credential(s):

• MD or DO with a current medical license1;
• Doctoral degree in clinical laboratory science, chemical, physical or biological science;
• Master's degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory, chemical, physical, or biological science;
• Bachelor's degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory, chemical, physical or biological;
• Associate degree in chemical, physical or biological science or medical laboratory or equivalent education and training
• 2-3 years of Medical Laboratory experience preferred

- Primary Source Verification:

• Registration or equivalent certification as ASCP, ASMT, NCA or HEW preferred.
• Verification of applicable certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands or fingers to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and/or bio-hazardous material.
• Constant exposure to a high-risk environment, where unknown infectious agents are present.
• Employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock.
• Noise level in the work area is usually moderate.