Basic Function and Responsibility
The Laboratory Technician can be assigned to perform one or more of the following functions, with a minimum of High School Degree and under supervision of a CLIA qualified General Supervisor*
Provide Clerical/Administrative Support
- Answer phone calls, monitor call list, make critical value calls, report results and document calls, as needed.
- Scan documents (scan requisitions and worksheets); organize and file test reports and documents, file slides.
- Identify and correct incorrect orders and specimen issues, which include duplicate tests, missing or incorrect samples, missing information, and unacceptable specimens.
- Communicate effectively with lab staff, clinicians, and other customers to meet customer service expectations and maintains patient confidentiality.
- Manage inventory, unpack shipments, stock lab supplies, and reconcile invoices.
Accessioning, Specimen Processing and Distribution
- Accession and process samples with accuracy which includes specimen receiving, centrifuging, aliquoting, and evaluating specimens for suitability of testing.
- Prioritize and accurately distribute patient samples within the laboratory consistent with quality assurance goals.
- Access and navigate the Pathology Document Control System, Hospital Information System (HIS), and Laboratory Information System (LIS) to accession patient specimens, requesting additional information from appropriate resources.
- Assist in problem solving (duplicate tests, missing samples, incorrect samples, and missing information); call on unacceptable specimens (clotted, hemolyzed, wrong container etc.).
- Work with other laboratory personnel to process patient casework with optimal efficiency and accuracy (e.g. basic sample preparation and setup of assays or loading automation lines).
- Assist medical staff by attending procedures (bone marrows procedures, interoperative surgery), as required.
Laboratory Support / Maintain and Operate Instruments for Waived and Moderate
Complexity Testing Instruments.
- Perform and document daily maintenance as specified in instrument procedures.
- Analyze patient samples as specified in the instrument procedures.
- Enter test results into laboratory databases.
- Ensure continuous operation by monitoring the status of reagents, parts, and supplies.
- Monitor error codes and perform troubleshooting. Document problems, action taken and outcomes in instrument logbooks.
- Perform general lab upkeep such as cleaning, removing trash, washing/sterilizing lab ware dishes, taking and recording temperatures, refrigerator and freezer maintenance, handling biohazard and chemical waste Assist with media and reagent preparation.
- Maintain work area in a well-stocked, clean condition.
Perform Testing for Waived and Moderate Complexity Tests
- Perform and document quality control and proficiency testing for waived and moderate complexity tests. Act on out-of-range quality control values.
- Perform waived and moderate complexity testing.
- Analyze patient samples and report test results consistent with accuracy and quality assurance goals of the laboratory.
- Report test results for waived and moderate complexity testing into laboratory databases.
Other Duties
- Fulfill departmental continuing education, as required.
- Provides instructions in laboratory technique, instrumentation, and application of procedures to students and new employees.
- Maintain competencies for all assigned sections.
- Other duties as assigned.
3.0 Duties and Responsibilities
Specimen Processing Area Skills:
- Understand and perform procedures for appropriate processing of microbiologic specimens.
- Answer phone calls: retrieve voice mail messages, give accurate and appropriate information concerning specimen requirements and transport, answer questions, direct complex issues to the appropriate technologist or administrator, take messages and document staff call ins.
- Clarify orders with Clinician/Nurse/Clinic medical staff when necessary.
- Follow all laboratory safety procedures for the handling and disposal of biological specimens and biohazardous waste.
- Receive and plate specimens in Soft Lab ? MIC LIS; checking specimen for mislabel acceptable source and transport type. Accurately label appropriate media for specimen set ups. Set up specimens using sterile technique in biological safety cabinet and incubate plates according to laboratory procedure.
- Perform rapid antigen tests per laboratory procedures. Perform and record quality control.
- Stock media, store specimens, clean and disinfect work areas as needed and at least once per shift.
AFB Processing Area Skills:
- Check in specimens, label tubes and slides.
- Process and inoculate specimens for acid fast culture, including special handling and redecontamination.
- Load culture tubes and/or bottles and stain AFB smears according to laboratory procedure.
- Clean and disinfect area.
Media Receiving Area Skills
- Inventory Management
- Media quality control
OPE Processing Area Skills
- Check in specimens
- Process samples according to SOP
- Make and stains slides according to SOP