Medical Lab Scientist

The Medical Scientist is responsible for specimen processing, test performance and for reporting test results in part or all of the clinical laboratory sections: bacteriology, blood banking, chemistry, hematology, serology and urinalysis. The technologist is responsible to the supervisor of the laboratory.

• Bachelor's degree with major in medical technology, microbiology, chemistry, or related sciences.
• Certification as a medical technologist by the Board of Registry of ASCP or the National Certification Agency (NCA) or American Medical Technology (AMT) and licensed or is license eligible for North Dakota State Level I License.
• Need to keep a current ND licensure, requiring 24 CEU’s every 2 years.
• On-call and weekends required.

Job Duties

• Each individual performs only tests that are authorized by the laboratory director and require a degree of skill commensurate with the individual's education, training or experience, and technical abilities.
• Follow the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results.
• Maintain records that demonstrate that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens, must obtain acceptable results.
• Adhere to the laboratory's quality control policies, document all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performed.
• Be capable of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either must correct the problems or immediately notify the laboratory general supervisor, technical supervisor, or director.
• Operates laboratory equipment, including Lab computer, automated chemical analyzers, electronic blood cell counter, hematology machines, coagulation machines, centrifuges, Bactec, Microscan, microscopes, and a refractometer.
• Collects laboratory specimens through direct patient contact and/or advises other health care medical personnel of proper specimen collection procedures.
• Performs phlebotomies, capillary punctures and venipunctures.
• Maintains equipment, troubleshoots malfunctioning equipment, corrects malfunctions detected, when possible, calibrates equipment.
• Prepares laboratory reagents and maintains supplies.
• Participates and is involved in developmental work on new laboratory procedures.
• Assists supervisor in consultation with other medical personnel on technical aspects of clinical laboratory tests.
• Integrates and relates test results in making judgments regarding possible discrepancies and confirmation of abnormal results.
• Rotates on weekend, holiday and on call duty at which time tech is responsible for performing work received in laboratory.
• After the 6-month orientation evaluation and 2 years previous experience of non-waived testing the following also applies:
  • Be accessible to testing personnel at all times, testing is performed and provide on-site, telephone, or electronic consultation to resolve technical problems in accordance with policies and procedures established by either the laboratory director or technical supervisor.
  • Provide day-to-day supervision of non-Waived test performance by testing personnel
  • qualified to perform non-Waived testing under supervision.
  • HHS will permit individuals employed as of September 1, 1992, under 493.1489(B)(4), and running non-Waived tests to continue to work in the absence of on-site supervisor if the work performed is checked within 24 hours by a general supervisor. This includes Blood banking, Microbiology (except for inoculating specimens to media), Differentials and Microscopic testing.
  • Be on-site to provide direct supervision when high complexity testing is performed by any individuals qualified under 493.1489 (b)(4).
  • Monitor test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure that acceptable levels of analytic performance are maintained.
• Promotes a culture of safety to improve employee safety within the facility and/or the department.
• Responsible for safeguarding the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) in any form including electronic, written, or oral.
• Exhibits professional attitude, leadership role and team member abilities. Maintains a positive professional role throughout the facility and community.
• Performs other assignments as required.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: The work area is mainly in the lab department, but may require the drawing of blood in ICU, Acute Unit, LTC, ER, Surgery, Haaland Estates and the Clinic(s). Age of patients varies from neonatal to geriatrics. The department is staffed 12 hours per weekday, 8 hours per weekend day with call after regular hours, during the week and/or weekends.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Requires full range of body motion, occasional lifting and/or transporting of patients. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range and good eye-hand coordination. Requires working under stressful conditions at times and exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids and blood. Drawing blood requires bending. Must be able to handle several projects simultaneously. May require lifting up to 50 lbs.