Extra Help - Medical Technologist I - Labs/Pathology Services

Job Summary

The Extra Help Medical Technologist I (Chemistry) performs a variety of tests of a moderate or complex nature on patient and quality control samples for chemistry procedures. Such testing may be performed by manual methods involving technical interpretation and by automated analyzers involving maintenance and troubleshooting. The Extra Help Medical Technologist I (Chemistry) assist in staffing the core laboratory and training laboratory personnel and others.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform moderately complex tests by various analyzers in the Laboratory and/or by manual methods on various specimen sources such as blood, urine, and other body fluids, using established procedures, under close supervision.
• Automated Chemistry Analyzer: operate high throughput "profiling" analyzers and robotic automation adhering to the procedures to obtain optimal accuracy and precision of results in blood, urine, and body fluids; apply knowledge of biochemical relationships in assessing the accuracy and validity of results obtained; recognize changes that are critical to patient care.
• Critical Care Testing: operate blood gas and electrolyte equipment, co-oximeters, and whole blood glucose analyzers to assess patient acid-base balance, respiratory state, and metabolic levels; apply knowledge of physiological relationships in assessing the accuracy and validity of results obtained; recognize changes that are critical to patient care.
• Toxicology: operate routine and specialized instruments for therapeutic drug and drug of abuse analyses; determine blood lead levels by atomic absorption spectrophotometry; screen blood for the presence of volatiles; follow written procedures for interpretation and assessment of results.
• Immunoassay Testing:  operate a variety of random access and discreet analyzers to determine levels of hormones, metabolites, drugs, tumor markers, and various ligands; apply knowledge of metabolic and biochemical relationships in assessing the accuracy and verification of results obtained; recognize findings that are critical to patient care.
• Special Chemistry: Perform HPLC procedures and Elisa automated analysis. Prepare reports for Hemoglobinopathy testing and Infection Diseases that require a technical level of interpretation.
• Miscellaneous: perform osmometry, acetone semi quantitation, and other manual procedures, as assigned.
• Automated Chemistry: operate automation robot loading and unloading samples. Perform maintenance and minor troubleshooting.
• Review tests results before reporting, using technical and scientific knowledge to recognize and verify results. Consult with supervisor prior to the release of results when results are unusual or unanticipated. Notify patients' physician(s) of life-threatening results.
• Receive a wide variety of patient specimens arriving at the laboratory for testing and perform the procedures necessary to prepare specimens for testing or referral to other laboratories.
• Perform established quality assurance procedures (i.e., quality control testing, instrument function checks, calibrations, and quality monitors) and maintain appropriate records for these procedures.
• Use the laboratory information system for all records functions and inquiries related to testing of patient specimens.
• Maintain a neat, orderly, and safe working environment in the laboratory, while adhering to all guidelines of OHSA's Bloodborne Pathogens Control Act.
• Required to communicate matters of technical importance to physicians, staff and customers on multiple systems as is appropriate.
• Assist with the training of laboratory personnel, new staff and students including but not limited to medical students, med tech students, residents, fellows, and others.
• Perform other duties as assigned.