What are the responsibilities and job description for the Medical Laboratory Assistant III position at Jackson County (NC)?
The position primarily provides laboratory services for all clinics, outreach program, and the environmental health services of the Jackson County Department of Public Health. Grade 15
Work Schedule:
Forty (40) hours per week with the option to work four (4) ten (10)-hour workdays from 7:00 am until 5:30 pm with thirty (30) minutes for lunch; or Monday from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm with no lunch and Tuesday thru Friday from 7:00 am until 4:30 pm with thirty (30) minutes for lunch; or Monday through Friday from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm with one (1) hour for lunch; or Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with (1) one hour for lunch; based on department needs and supervisor approval. Occasional work late evening or weekend work may be required to complete testing. On call 24/7 for any unusual surveillance activities or events. The person in this position is required to work nights and weekends when necessitated.
Follows Standard Precautions at all times when collecting specimens, testing, and/or processing specimens.Microbiology testing:
- Inoculating of urine cultures
- Performs sterility checks and QC on each media shipment and records on microbiology log sheet
- Performs wet mounts of vaginal secretions for indications of infections; i.e. WBC, yeast, trichomonas, bacteria, and “clue cells”
- Performs direct smears: gram stains for detection of Neisseria gonorrhea and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), other bacteria, and yeast
- Performs rapid methods: strep throat screens
- Reconstitutes and inoculates media for use in testing procedures for cultures
- Performs Oxidase testing for further identification and confirmation
- Performs CBC (complete Blood Count) on Micro 60-DMlite Analyzer. Reports out (9) parameters (RBC, HCT, MCV, HGB, WBC, MCH, MCHC, Platelet, and 3 Part Diff)
- Performs HemoCue 201 testing (hemoglobin semi-automated analyzer) for WIC, Family Planning, Adult Health Clinics (if indicated), Maternal Health, and General Clinics
- Performs Glucose screens
- Performs Glucose Tolerance Testing on HemoCue Glucose 201 Analyzer
- Performs Glucose and Cholesterol testing on Cholestech LDX Analyzer
- Performs Microalbumin testing on Clinitek Status Analyzer
- Performs Hemoglobin A1C on DCA 2000 or Afinion
- Performs dipstick (chemical) analysis on Clinitek Status Analyzer/ Clinitek 50 (back-up)
- Performs Urine Pregnancy testing
- Provides detailed instructions to patients for obtaining a clean catch mid-stream urine sample.
- Observes strict chain-of-custody proves for drug screen for Perinatal, Prenatal, and urine drug screen collection for area businesses, Department of Social Services, and Jackson County Employees
- Performs qualitative method detection of HCG in serum pregnancy test
- Performs Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate testing for detection of inflammation as with arthritis, lupus, etc.
- Performs Hemoccult testing for detection of blood in stool samples
- Performs examination and identification of louse
- Performs Rapid Influenza A & B testing
- Collects specimen for Paternity/DNA analysis
- Collects Breath Alcohol Testing for contracted agencies
- Performs GeneXpert SARS COVID-19 testing (CEPHEID)
- Performs water testing for coliform (total and fecal) bacteria
- Processes water for Nitrate testing to be transported to Environmental Inc in Sylva, North Carolina
- Performs required quality controls on reagents and media as indicated by Public Water Supply Section
- Records and mails water results to clients
- Calls and mails positive water sample results as indicated in the laboratory water manual
- Performs Water Proficiency Testing as indicated
- Instructs clients on proper collection of water samples for bacteria analysis, nitrate, and nitrite testing
- Enters water results into EPA’s Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP)
- Assists laboratory supervisor on preparing the annual water letters to be mailed to clients
- Performs routine phlebotomy services according to policies, procedures, and regulations; on and off-site for a variety of tests.
- Prepares and processes specimens to reference (public and private) laboratories in accordance with laboratory protocols and reference manuals
- Performs fingersticks; on and off site
- Performs start up and shut down of analyzers according to laboratory procedures
- Verifies that laboratory requisitions/ orders are complete and accurate
- Documents all results on in-house logs and enters results into patient’s record in Patagonia (Electronic Health Record)
- Answers general questions from patients or staff regarding laboratory procedures, patient preparation, policies, and protocols
- Greets patients timely and courteously
- Routes patients to other areas of clinic and/or waiting areas
- Assists in performance of complex procedures and analysis
- Performs routine and standardized tests
- Performs Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and calibration as required by clinical and environmental test procedures
- Performs a variety of clinical tests
- Performs a variety of environmental tests
- Distributes results to appropriate provider, clinic/ department
- Faxes and promptly calls all abnormal/ panic results to ordering physician/provider
- Complies and attests to HIPAA regulations
- Complies with and follows Universal Standard Precautions
- Decontaminates work surfaces and/or equipment as specified in Blood Borne Pathogen policy manual
- Disposes of hazardous waste using Universal Standard Precautions
- Stocks and rotate stock as needed in laboratory and phlebotomy areas
- Places Jackson County Department of Public Health address labels on State Lab specimen cans
- Provides Medical Laboratory Technologist I with supply orders
- Performs and reviews Proficiency Testing
- Prepares daily totals for labs, water testing, and patients seen for monthly WTU report
- Records temperatures as required
- Maintains laboratory supply inventory
- Performs preventative maintenance on all equipment as needed
- Attends workshops, updates, and/or educational sessions that are deemed pertinent
- Possess and maintain a valid North Carolina Driver’s License
- Provides assistance for required laboratory experience to Phlebotomy /MLT students
- Sends monthly invoices to water clients as indicated
- Reviews completed patient results before assigning to ordering clinicians
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Laboratory Supervisor
- Participating in Public Health Preparedness activities as directed by agency management; this employee will be expected to work as needed during public health emergencies, which may result in extended hours and long work shifts
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor, Health Director, or Deputy Health Director
- Knowledge of techniques, principles, and instrumentation used in public health laboratory medicine
- Knowledge of applicable laboratory instrumentation and equipment
- Knowledge of test procedures performed in the laboratory
- Knowledge of specimen processing
- Skill in use of laboratory equipment
- Skill in the performance of laboratory procedures
- Ability to make accurate observations
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
- Knowledge and understanding of quality assurance and quality control practices
- General knowledge of common health and safety precautions in working in a local health department
- Ability to use sound judgment and empathy in dealing with patients
- Ability to provide confidentiality and observation of HIPAA laws and regulations