Medical Laboratory Technologist I

• Serves as supervisor and technical consultant for all clinical and environmental laboratory services by providing medical, managerial, technical, budgetary, administrative, and professional ability
• Direction and administration of the laboratory services required for the detection, treatment, and control of communicable disease
• Direction of testing to determine the safety of drinking water for Public Water Supply and the private sector
• Maintain all necessary documentation, certification, quality control, and quality assurance necessary for certification and operation of the laboratory
• Responsible for safety of all lab staff 
• Monitors Bloodborne Pathogen Standards and Chemical Hygiene Plan for staff
• Consultant to other health department personnel and the Community Wellness Program
• Administers CLIA, COLA, OSHA, and State regulations in quality assurance and environmental services for testing performed
• Performs cost analysis for all laboratory testing
• Develops goals for laboratory by meeting with key people from clinical and environmental programs to assess, reassess, and develop protocols and testing procedures to meet program and community needs
• Assigns work schedules for laboratory staff including scheduling of laboratory staff for off-site outreach programs
• Assigns work schedule, monitors performance, and evaluates students during their laboratory rotation
• Oversees laboratory inventory and orders laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment
• Maintains most current federal and state regulations pertinent to the laboratory and incorporates these regulations into policies and procedures
• Serves as laboratory liaison on the Epidemiology team and at other supervisor meetings
• Performs competency assessment on all laboratory staff and students
• Performs daily review of completed patient’s results entered into Patagonia (EHR) 
• Negotiates laboratory contracts for reference laboratory testing
• Maintains and revises all laboratory policies, procedures, and manuals 
• Assures the maintenance (preventive and repairs) of the analyzers and equipment is performed when required.
• Develops quality control measures to meet state and federal regulations
• Implements proficiency testing for all clinical and environmental procedures
• Maintains water certification for coliform testing of environmental public water supply
• Provides supervision to MLT and Phlebotomy students
• Attends continuing education necessary to keep laboratory personnel current with technology changes and incorporates learned technique into daily operations of the laboratory
• Responsible for budgetary process for the laboratory to include: establishing contact with outside sales and technical representatives, developing working relationship with necessary vendors, analysis of cost/benefit effects and the impact of expansion and/or reduction in laboratory services, and participation in bidding process when purchasing new supplies and/or equipment, and evaluation of item(s) and obtain quotes for purchase, and making decision as to which supplies and equipment are needed
• Attends State Laboratory workshops
• Responsible for insuring accuracy and quality services performed by laboratory

• Inoculating of urine cultures
• Performs sterility checks and Quality Control 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 required Quality Control testing procedures for cultures
• Performs Oxidase testing for further identification and confirmation

• Performs CBC (complete Blood Count) on Micros 60-DM Lite 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/Clintek 50 (back-up analyzer)
• 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
• Performs Mono testing
• Collects specimen for Paternity/DNA analysis
• Performs GeneXpert SARS COVID-19 testing (CEPHEID)
• Collects Breath Alcohol Testing for contracted agencies

• Performs water testing for coliform (total and fecal) bacteria
• Processes water for Nitrate testing to be mailed or couriered to Environmental Inc in Sylva, North Carolina
• 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
• Performs required quality control on reagents and medias as indicated by Public Water Supply Section
• Enters water results into EPA’s Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP)
• Prepares and mails the annual water contracts to clients
• Sends monthly invoices to water clients as indicated

• 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 the in-house logs and enters results into the patient’s medical record in Patagonia (EHR) 
• 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 Testing 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 Standard Precautions
• Stocks and rotate stock as needed in laboratory and phlebotomy areas
• Performs, submits, and reviews Proficiency Testing Results
• Prepares daily totals for labs/water testing, and patient seen monthly for WTU report
• Records temperatures as required
• Maintains laboratory supply inventory and submits monthly lab orders to the Finance Administrator
• Performs preventative maintenance on all equipment as needed
• Attends workshops, updates, and/or educational sessions that are deemed pertinent
• Serves as a Management Team member
• Serves as Quality Assurance member
• Serves as Epidemiology Team member
• Participates 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

• General theoretical knowledge of the variety of laboratory procedures applicable to the Jackson County Department of Public Health Laboratory
• General knowledge of techniques, principles, and instrumentation used in public health laboratory medicine
• General knowledge of applicable laboratory instrumentation, equipment, and terminology
• General knowledge of the basic pathophysiological processes being monitored and how the medical laboratory science is applied.
• 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 and written reports of test results
• 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.
• Ability to instruct medical technology students and other health professionals in laboratory procedures and instrumentation

Salary : $46,678 - $56,225