MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST
#2401
General Characteristics:
A Medical Technologist is responsible for performing all laboratory tests in the Student Health lab according to American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) standards and direction of attending practitioner; ensures that all lab tests performed are accurate, timely and cost effective; works with a reference lab, advises practitioners, conferences with students, selects testing processes and ensures quality control; does related work as required.
Work requires considerable knowledge of medical technology as well as good organizational skills to run the Student Health lab. Working conditions include potential exposure to body fluids and disease organisms.
Examples of Work:
Obtains specimens for on-site testing; performs lab tests, in 4 one-person lab, such as, complete blood counts, complete urinalysis, mononucleosis and pregnancy tests; analyzes vaginal wet prep specimens; interprets throat and gonorrhea cultures; maintains accurate records of testing in the laboratory and ensures recording of test results and fees on patient chart.
Obtains and processes specimens for tests which cannot be performed in the on-site lab; sends specimens to the appropriate lab; forwards test results to medical practitioners.
Consults with medical practitioners regarding appropriate tests and interpretation of test results.
Maintains laboratory safety and cleanliness in compliance with Oregon law regarding infection control, handling and disposal of bio-hazardous materials; maintains a quality control program in compliance with Federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) of 1988; monitors testing procedures with blind specimens of known composition; monitors equipment functioning and temperature of incubator and refrigerator; establishes and maintains written laboratory procedures in accordance with ASCP accepted standards.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of and skill in conducting specimen collection for testing; knowledge of and skill in performing and interpreting clinical laboratory tests; knowledge and understanding of the human physiology, biochemistry, hematology, microbiology and immunology involved in performing and interpreting clinical lab tests; ability to run a small lab; knowledge of and ability to set and maintain quality standards to monitor procedures; ability to work independently and integrate work for timely completion; ability to relate to students with varied ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds; ability to write laboratory procedures according to accepted standards; ability to work safely.
Supervision:
Reports to and works under the general supervision of the Director of Student Support Services. Work is ordered by attending medical practitioners who interpret results and give feedback to this employee. Lab procedures are performed independently according to quality control standards. Technical quality of results is monitored periodically by blind testing and other quality control methods.
This position may have responsibility to assign tasks, provide priorities, train and monitor the duties of student assistants in clinical laboratory procedures.
Minimum Qualifications:
A Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology is required. Current registration by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) as a Medical Technologist is required. One year of experience in conducting laboratory tests according to ASCP standards is required.
There is no acceptable substitution for the registration and degree.
Additional training may be substituted for a portion of the required experience.
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