Medical Technologist Specialist

About the Role

To perform a variety of routine or specialized tests and procedures for use by physicians in diagnosis and treatment of patients in one or more areas of work, such as Clinical Core Laboratory, Transfusion Medicine, Histocompatibility, Flow Cytometry, Molecular Diagnostics, Cytogenetics, Point of Care, Microbiology, and other specialty departments. Assist senior technologists, laboratory supervisors, chief technologists, or directors in a variety of duties or special projects as designated. Serve as an expert and resource for other Medical Technologists and for instrument troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Clerical/Administrative Support:
  • Answer phone calls, monitor call lists, make critical value calls, report results, and document calls.
  • Scan documents, organize and file test reports, and file slides.
  • Identify and correct incorrect orders and specimen issues.
  • Communicate effectively with lab staff, clinicians, and customers to meet service expectations and maintain patient confidentiality.
  • Manage inventory, unpack shipments, stock lab supplies, and reconcile invoices.
  • Assist in ordering reagents and supplies for the laboratory.
  • Participate in QA and compliance programs; assist leadership with data collection, inspections, and CAP checklists.
  • Plan and participate in IT events, including regression testing, LIS upgrades, and new test builds.
• Accessioning, Specimen Processing, and Distribution:
  • Accession and process samples with accuracy, including receiving, centrifuging, aliquoting, and evaluating specimens.
  • Prioritize and distribute patient samples within the laboratory.
  • Access and navigate Pathology Document Control System, HIS, and LIS to accession specimens.
  • Assist in problem-solving for duplicate tests, missing samples, and incorrect information.
  • Work with laboratory personnel to process patient casework efficiently.
  • Assist medical staff during procedures as required.
• Laboratory Support / Instrument Maintenance:
  • Perform daily maintenance on instruments for waived, moderate, and high complexity testing.
  • Analyze patient samples and enter results into databases.
  • Monitor reagents, parts, and supplies; troubleshoot error codes.
  • Perform general lab upkeep, including cleaning, waste handling, and reagent preparation.
  • Serve as a resource for staff and assist in competency development.
  • Provide support for software systems within the laboratory.
• Testing for Waived, Moderate, and High Complexity Tests:
  • Perform quality control and proficiency testing; act on out-of-range values.
  • Analyze patient samples and report results accurately.
  • Interpret test results for waived, moderate, and high complexity tests.
• Other Duties:
  • Comply with departmental continuing education requirements.
  • Provide instructions to students and new employees.
  • Maintain competencies for assigned sections.
  • Assist in scheduling and evaluation of needs.
• Specialized Responsibilities:
  • Serve as a technical resource for hematology automation, sedimentation rate testing, and troubleshooting.
  • Monitor instrument performance, quality control trends, and workflow issues.
  • Assist with development and implementation of standard operating procedures.
  • Coordinate instrument validation and method verification studies.
  • Investigate testing discrepancies and workflow interruptions.
  • Support staff training and competency assessment.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
  • Collaborate with supervisors, pathologists, and IT staff to resolve technical issues.
  • Manage reagent and supply inventory.
  • Provide guidance on analyzer flags, reflex testing, and specimen acceptability.
  • Maintain knowledge of hematology automation practices and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in medical technology or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of clinical experience.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate medical terminology and technical procedures.
• Effective organizational skills within a lab setting.

Desired Qualifications

• 2 years of post-training experience in a relevant clinical laboratory.
• Certification in the working area.
• Ability to perform duties at a high level of expertise without sacrificing patient care.
• Time management skills and ability to handle extra duties.
• One year of clinical training at an approved hospital and certification by a health agency.

Physical Requirements

Infrequent standing/walking, lifting, positioning, pushing, and/or transferring of patients.

Work Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week on the evening shift, with rotating weekends, holidays, and on-call requirements.

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between U-M and the United Michigan Medicine Allied Professionals (UMMAP).