Medical Laboratory Technologist I

Medical Laboratory Technologist IThe Medical Laboratory Technologist I will serve primarily to provide laboratory services for all clinics, outreach programs, and the environmental health services of the Jackson County Department of Public Health. All laboratory testing is performed according to policies, procedures, and regulations. Grade 24 Salary Range: $47,611.36 - $57,349.02 depending upon education and experience.Duties and ResponsibilitiesFollows Standard Precautions at all times when collecting specimens, testing, and/or processing specimens.

Administrative:Serves as supervisor and technical consultant for all clinical and environmental laboratory services by providing medical, managerial, technical, budgetary, administrative, and professional abilityDirection and administration of the laboratory services required for the detection, treatment, and control of communicable diseaseDirection of testing to determine the safety of drinking water for Public Water Supply and the private sectorMaintain all necessary documentation, certification, quality control, and quality assurance necessary for certification and operation of the laboratoryResponsible for safety of all lab staffMonitors Bloodborne Pathogen Standards and Chemical Hygiene Plan for staffConsultant to other health department personnel and the Community Wellness ProgramAdministers CLIA, COLA, OSHA, and State regulations in quality assurance and environmental services for testing performedPerforms cost analysis for all laboratory testingDevelops goals for laboratory by meeting with key people from clinical and environmental programs to assess, reassess, and develop protocols and testing procedures to meet program and community needsAssigns work schedules for laboratory staff including scheduling of laboratory staff for off-site outreach programsAssigns work schedule, monitors performance, and evaluates students during their laboratory rotationOversees laboratory inventory and orders laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipmentMaintains most current federal and state regulations pertinent to the laboratory and incorporates these regulations into policies and proceduresServes as laboratory liaison on the Epidemiology team and at other supervisor meetingsPerforms competency assessment on all laboratory staff and studentsPerforms daily review of completed patient's results entered into Patagonia (EHR)Negotiates laboratory contracts for reference laboratory testingMaintains and revises all laboratory policies, procedures, and manualsAssures the maintenance (preventive and repairs) of the analyzers and equipment is performed when required.Develops quality control measures to meet state and federal regulationsImplements proficiency testing for all clinical and environmental proceduresMaintains water certification for coliform testing of environmental public water supplyProvides supervision to MLT and Phlebotomy studentsAttends continuing education necessary to keep laboratory personnel current with technology changes and incorporates learned technique into daily operations of the laboratoryResponsible for budgetary process for the laboratory to include: establishing contact with outside sales and technical representatives, developing working relationship with necessary vendors, analysis of cost/benefit effects and the impact of expansion and/or reduction in laboratory services, and participation in bidding process when purchasing new supplies and/or equipment, and evaluation of item(s) and obtain quotes for purchase, and making decision as to which supplies and equipment are neededAttends State Laboratory workshopsResponsible for insuring accuracy and quality services performed by laboratoryMicrobiology testing:Inoculating of urine culturesPerforms sterility checks and Quality Control on each media shipment and records on microbiology log sheetPerforms wet mounts of vaginal secretions for indications of infections; i.e. WBC, yeast, trichomonas, bacteria, and "clue cells"Performs direct smears: gram stains for detection of Neisseria gonorrhea and non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), other bacteria, and yeastPerforms rapid methods: strep throat screensReconstitutes and inoculates media for use in required Quality Control testing procedures for culturesPerforms Oxidase testing for further identification and confirmationHematology testing:Performs CBC (complete Blood Count) on Micros 60-DM Lite Analyzer. Reports out (9) parameters (RBC, HCT, MCV, HGB, WBC, MCH, MCHC, Platelet, and 3 Part Diff)Performs HemoCue 201 testing (hemoglobin semi-automated analyzer) for WIC, Family Planning, Adult Health Clinics (if indicated), Maternal Health, and General ClinicsChemistry testing:Performs Glucose screensPerforms Glucose Tolerance Testing on HemoCue Glucose 201 AnalyzerPerforms Glucose and Cholesterol testing on Cholestech LDX AnalyzerPerforms Microalbumin testing on Clinitek Status AnalyzerPerforms Hemoglobin A1C on DCA 2000 or AfinionUrinalysis testing:Performs dipstick (chemical) analysis on Clinitek Status Analyzer/Clintek 50 (back-up analyzer)Performs Urine Pregnancy testingProvides detailed instructions to patients for obtaining a clean catch mid-stream urine sampleObserves strict chain-of-custody proves for drug screen for Perinatal, Prenatal, and urine drug screen collection for area businesses, Department of Social Services, and Jackson County EmployeesMiscellaneous Testing:Performs qualitative method detection of HCG in serum pregnancy testPerforms Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate testing for detection of inflammation as with arthritis, lupus, etc.Performs Hemoccult testing for detection of blood in stool samplesPerforms examination and identification of lousePerforms Rapid Influenza A & B testingPerforms Mono testingCollects specimen for Paternity/DNA analysisPerforms GeneXpert SARS COVID-19 testing (CEPHEID)Collects Breath Alcohol Testing for contracted agenciesWater Analysis:Performs water testing for coliform (total and fecal) bacteriaProcesses water for Nitrate testing to be mailed or couriered to Environmental Inc in Sylva, North CarolinaRecords and mails water results to clientsCalls and mails positive water sample results as indicated in the laboratory water manualPerforms Water Proficiency Testing as indicatedInstructs clients on proper collection of water samples for bacteria analysis, nitrate, and nitrite testingPerforms required quality control on reagents and medias as indicated by Public Water Supply SectionEnters water results into EPA's Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP)Prepares and mails the annual water contracts to clientsSends monthly invoices to water clients as indicatedGeneral Duties:Performs routine phlebotomy services according to policies, procedures, and regulations; on and off-site for a variety of tests.Prepares and processes specimens to reference (public and private) laboratories in accordance with laboratory protocols and reference manualsPerforms fingersticks; on and off sitePerforms start up and shut down of analyzers according to laboratory proceduresVerifies that laboratory requisitions/ orders are complete and accurateDocuments all results on the in-house logs and enters results into the patient's medical record in Patagonia (EHR)Answers general questions from patients or staff regarding laboratory procedures, patient preparation, policies, and protocolsGreets patients timely and courteously