The Senior Clinical Technologist plans and implements special, complex procedures for use in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, along with assisting in the establishment and maintenance of quality control standards.
In addition to performing the duties of a medical technologist at a high level of expertise, and with assistance from Medical Technologist Specialists, the Senior Clinical Technologist is normally responsible for, and oversees the following activities in their area of expertise.
Technical Lead:
- Provide day-to-day technical direction of qualified personnel performing testing and reporting high complexity test results.
- Responsible for reviewing, modifying, or archiving procedures and policies no less than biennially within the document management system. Final approval for any new or revised document is completed by the CLIA Laboratory Director.
- Provides advanced problem solving, troubleshooting, interpretation, consultation, and verification of test results. Acts as technical adviser/expert in area of expertise.
- Assist in the development and implementation of new protocols and selection of new equipment.
- Performs validation of equipment, analyzers, and tests in area of expertise.
- Participate in inventory management and control.
- In collaboration with the manager or supervisor, communicate workflow and other changes specific to section.
- Participate in departmental safety meetings and audits.
- Responsible for providing coverage for call-ins during the week and weekends in absence of Supervisor.
- Acts as CLIA General Supervisor if assigned .
QC/QA/Compliance
- Monitor, organize, maintain quality control and quality Assurance Records.
- Ensure that quality assurance and control is performed in a timely manner.
- Maintains all QA/QC records.
- Review Quality Control and instrument function reports to ensure that acceptable levels of analytical performance are maintained.
- Monitors instrument maintenance, repair, and calibration in area of expertise
- Assists in preparation for CAP inspections.
- Submits PT surveys and performs summary review, along with review with testing personnel.
- Monitor, improve, and implement corrective action for process improvement.
- Help create and manage QA program for section and participate in the lab QA program.
Training/Competency
- Assess training competency of new employees, initially, and after 6 months. Perform annual evaluation.
- Conduct training competencies for all new test methods or new equipment.
- Creates, maintain, and evaluate training plans and checklists.
- Distribute proficiency testing among employees, in area of expertise.
IT Tasks
- Submit and monitor tickets for general IT and test related tasks.
- Is aware of departmental IT projects, and schedules section IT tasks.
- Coordinates with manager and supervisor to plan support during downtime planning or emergent needs.
Validations
- Create validation plan in conjunction with technical supervisor.
- Create procedures and implement newly validated tests.
- Maintain clear communication of validation.
Perform Testing for Waived, Moderate, and High Complexity Tests
- Perform and document quality control and proficiency testing for waived, moderate, and high complexity tests.
- Act on out-of-range quality control values.
- Perform waived, moderate, and high complexity testing.
- Analyze patient samples and report test results consistent with accuracy and quality assurance goals of the laboratory into laboratory databases.
- Interpret test results for waived, moderate, and high complexity tests.
Professional Development
Fulfill departmental continuing education requirement.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Regular duties include:
- Perform duties of Medical Laboratory Scientists.
- Identify problems with instrumentation, methodology, specimens, supplies, or results and act as outlined in predetermined protocols.
- Update procedure manuals and training materials to reflect current practices
- Serve on laboratory and inter-departmental committees as requested
- Initiate corrective action when required.
- Maintain a safe work area in a well-stocked, clean condition.
4.0 Supervision Received
Administrative supervision is received from the Administrative Manager, or other designee.
Functional supervision is received from qualified Supervisor, Administrative Manager, or another designee.
5.0 Supervision Exercised
Functional supervision is exercised over Laboratory Technicians, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Medical Laboratory Scientist Specialists, and other assigned staff.