Lead Chemistry MLT / MLS

About the Role

Under the supervision of the Laboratory Director, the Lead Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) / Medical Technologist (MT) performs diagnostic testing according to physician orders authorized by the laboratory director. This role requires a degree of skill commensurate with education, training, or experience and technical ability. The Lead MLT/MT maintains laboratory equipment, performs quality assessments, and organizes workload to ensure timely test completion. Additionally, this position may assist in guiding, training, and orienting lab employees and students as approved by the laboratory director.

Responsibilities

• Provide positive leadership to create a harmonious and effective working environment within the department.
• Seek opportunities to gain knowledge and foster development or acceptance of new concepts and ideas.
• Successfully perform venipuncture on difficult patients of all ages and make appropriate judgments concerning specimen quality.
• Accurately perform testing in all assigned departments.
• Handle routine troubleshooting and communicate necessary information to other shifts and interdepartmentally when appropriate.
• Perform required quality control (QC) according to standard operating procedures (SOP), document corrective actions, and make appropriate decisions regarding patient results.
• Process proficiency samples in the normal workflow of a section.
• Document critical values and release results to outside parties according to policy and confidentiality guidelines.
• Participate in annual departmental competency testing and hospital-required activities.
• Maintain current certification with the National Registry.
• Attend and participate in in-service education programs, departmental meetings, and stay current by attending workshops or reading literature.
• Perform special assignments, including training new employees or students.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the computer and Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• Interact positively and cooperatively with patients, visitors, physicians, and employees of all ages.
• Support the Medical Center’s Mission, Vision, and Philosophy.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Perform other essential duties as assigned.
• Take ownership of the department where lead activities are assigned, including but not limited to:
  • Maintain appropriate departmental inventory and par levels.
  • Ensure proficiency testing materials are ordered, assigned, completed, resulted, and reviewed within specified time limits.
  • Stay updated on changes within the department and/or instrument field service bulletins, ensuring testing personnel are informed and trained accordingly.
  • Document, upload, and review departmental quality control to maintain accuracy in patient testing and meet regulatory requirements.
  • Complete College of American Pathology (CAP) Survey Checklist(s) for assigned departments for both on-site and interim inspections.
  • Review departmental policies and procedures for clear testing personnel instructions and regulatory compliance, submitting changes to the Laboratory Director for final review.
  • Ensure testing personnel meet training and competency requirements for accurate patient testing and regulatory compliance at hire, 6 months, and annually.
  • Complete monthly Quality Assurance reports and provide documentation to the Laboratory Director for review in a timely manner.
  • Take a leadership role in providing positive communication both inside and outside the assigned department.
  • Work closely with the Laboratory Director on departmental goals, process improvements, physician needs, instrument issues, and delegation opportunities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate from an accredited MLT or MLS program.
• Registered MLT or MLS with appropriate credentials from ASCP, NCAMLP, AMT, or ASMT.
• Ability to operate and interpret results from laboratory instrumentation.
• Ability to relate medical knowledge to test situations.
• Strong communication skills with patients, medical staff, peers, and all customers.
• Ability to assess patients of all ages (newborn to 105+ years) regarding physical and psychological needs and limitations.
• Ability to read, interpret, and adhere to laboratory policies and procedures.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work within established policies, procedures, and practices prescribed by the hospital/clinic.

Physical/Mental Requirements

• Ability to sit and stand intermittently for 8 to 10 hours a day.
• Use of standard office equipment, including telephone and computer keyboard.
• Work under pressure to maintain near 100% accuracy while meeting inflexible deadlines.
• Continuous use of manual/bi-manual dexterity, near vision, speech, and hearing.
• Frequent standing, walking, sitting, and eye/hand coordination with color definition.
• Occasional reaching above shoulder and regular lifting/carrying of up to 40 lbs.
• Occasional walking on uneven surfaces.
• Regular exposure to disease-carrying specimens, hazardous chemicals, electromechanical hazards, stressful workloads, deadlines, and interruptions.
• Good manual dexterity and visual acuity (color-blindness must be noted).
• Good mobility to move about equipment and lift/move moderate weights.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods and maintain concentration.