Medical Laboratory Scientist - Medical Laboratory Technologist

Oklahoma Arthritis Center (OAC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Job Summary:

Responsible for maintaining a laboratory operation. Performs routine tests in medical laboratory to provide data for use in diagnosis and treatment of disease.   

Essential Functions:

• Assist in maintenance of laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Assist in developing quality assurance procedures.
• Ensure adequate safety and compliance with standard operating procedures.
• Perform technical laboratory functions including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, immunology and other tests.
• Perform phlebotomy tasks.
• Report test results following clinic protocols, alerting physicians and/or nurses immediately about “red flag” results.
• Ensure quality control in collecting specimens and in ensuring appropriate sampling and record keeping.
• Comply with all quality assurance policies and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations related to safety, cleanliness, and infection control.
• Responsible for laboratory area to include ordering supplies, stocking and cleaning.
• Responsible for compliance and successful COLA inspections.
• Ensure patient confidentiality and follow HIPAA guidelines.
• Promote a professional image by adhering to the established dress code as listed in Employee Handbook.
• Check and resolve assigned tasks in EMR program.
• Assist co-workers as needed.
• Recognize when others are in need of assistance, information or directions and offers to help when able, or find someone who can.
• Responsible for neatness of work area to include stocking and cleaning.  Be productive when faced with any “down time” during work hours.
• Maintain emotional control and diplomacy at all times.
• Maintain open and positive lines of communication.
• Consistently report to work on time, begins work promptly and perform duties for entire scheduled shift.
• Maintain absenteeism within company policy. 
• Notify Administration of absences and tardiness in a timely manner.
• Read new policies and documents as instructed.
• Adhere to company policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate sensible and efficient use of equipment and supplies by limiting waste, spoilage or damage.

Performance Requirements:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of medical laboratory principles, techniques, standards, applications, and tests.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, communicable diseases, and environmental health issues.
• Knowledge of laboratory regulations, including quality control of media and reagents, laboratory safety, laboratory documentation requirements, sterilization requirements, and laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of use and maintenance of laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Knowledge of safety, infection control, and quality assurance policies and regulations

 Skills:

• Skill in performing and applying appropriate testing procedures and laboratory tests.
• Skill in using computers for database management, testing, and record-keeping functions.
• Skill in appropriate quality control and confidentiality procedures.

 Abilities:

• Ability to exercise independent judgment, problem solve, make decisions, and use discretion in reporting/distributing results.
• Ability to communicate appropriately, both orally and written.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with health care team.
• Ability to recognize and resolve hazardous conditions. Able to deal calmly with emergency situations.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.
• Ability to organize workload effectively and work quickly with high level of accuracy using manual/finger dexterity and eye–hand coordination.

Qualifications: 

• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) with ASCP Certification or equivalent, OR
• Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) with ASCP Certification or equivalent. 
• A combination of twelve to eighteen months of experience in high complexity testing is preferred for this position. 
  

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment.
• Physical ability to sit, perform data entry and view computer screen for long periods at a time.
  
• Daily standing, walking, bending, and maneuvering.
• May require lifting up to 50 pounds or more to transfer and/or turn patient with and without assistive devices.

Environmental Conditions:

• 
  Occasional exposure to communicable diseases and biohazards.
• 
  This is a safety sensitive position.

Travel Requirements: 

Travel may be required.

Scheduled Working Hours:

Normal work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Fridays. Hours may vary depending upon the needs of the position, department, and clinic.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change from time to time, with or without notice.

Equipment Operated:

Computer, standard laboratory equipment, and various testing instruments.