Medical Technologist 1, Full-Time, Nights, License Required, Jackson South

Summary Medical Technologist 1 is professional technology work in the performance of diagnostic tests and procedures in the clinical laboratory of a county medical facility. Employees in this classification are professionally trained medical technologists responsible for performing various diagnostic analyses, morphologic studies and quantitative and qualitative determinations on specimen samples of blood, urine, cerebral spinal and other body fluids and products in accordance with recognized scientific theory, principles and techniques. Emphasis of the work is on independent judgment in determining accurate test results and recognition of critical values. Supervision may be exercised over Laboratory Aides, Assistants and Technicians, Medical Technology Students and Laboratory Clerks as required. Supervision is received from a professional superior who reviews results for professional quality and assists as abnormal laboratory results are found.

Location  Miami, FL. Full‑Time Laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Produces accurate results/outcomes according to age specific standard operating procedures.
• Matches the patient identifying information on specimens with the work document without clerical/data entry errors, including omissions.
• Demonstrates the ability to coordinate simultaneous series of procedures with accuracy.
• Consults supervisor for additional assignments and follows them to completion.
• Completes patient and quality control procedures within defined time limits.
• Interprets patient and quality control samples or procedures determining whether they are abnormal or incorrect and takes appropriate action according to protocol.
• Recognizes and documents efforts to resolve equipment and/or procedural problems and notifies supervisor when necessary.
• Participates actively in QA/QI programs of the department.
• Completes routine tasks without direct supervision.
• Oversees and/or performs preventive maintenance and documents corrective actions taken.
• Prioritizes workload in response to STAT requests according to protocol.
• Learns new procedures and/or assignments within a mutually agreed upon time frame.
• Maintains an appropriate inventory of supplies and keeps working supplies stocked.
• Adapts to modification of work assignments and, when requested, is willing to adjust personal schedule for the benefit of patient care.
• Demonstrates a concern for cleanliness of self and work area and practices infection control for the protection of the patients, co‑workers and self.
• Assumes ownership of issues and follows them to resolution.
• Maintains current knowledge of written revisions in procedures as well as advances in the profession.
• Offers innovative solutions to allow for efficient and effective delivery of laboratory service.
• Maintains neat, legible and organized written work documents with appropriate dates and initials.
• Follows departmental policies and procedures at all times.
• Monitors pending work and critical values as per protocol.
• Organizes and performs work according to procedure manual, ensuring workflow can be followed by other personnel.
• Communicates regularly with subordinates and supervisor.
• Provides initial non‑technical resources in resolving routine problems.
• Demonstrates practical decision‑making skills and leadership traits such as empathy, creativity and fairness.
• Assures employee empowerment and encourages employee participation.
• Prepares and records proficiency testing or performs other specialized tasks according to protocol.
• Takes charge of the department in the absence of the supervisors and assists in providing adequate staffing.
• Always performs instruments preventive maintenance procedures, on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis as outlined in procedure manual, including AM and PM start‑up procedures.
• Regularly inspects all instruments and ensures equipment is in proper working condition so the results indicated are accurate.
• Always performs quality control with each test along with instrument checks, always ensuring the accuracy of results reported.
• Always verifies the name of the patient in specimens both labels against the name and test ordered in worksheets and consistently ensures that test results correlate with the diagnosis.
• Performs scheduled tests on days to be done and checks temperatures of refrigerators, freezer, incubators and room temperatures, logging each day reading in appropriate daily chart.
• Assists in weekly inventory and ordering supplies as necessary, ensuring proper supplies are on hand at all times in the section.
• Performs venipuncture or bleeding time accurately and is always willing to help when needed; thoroughly explains procedure to patient.
• Always follows instructions when reconstituting controls and logs reagents received in log book with date received, lot number and expiration date.
• Ensures specimens are at room temperature before starting any procedures and puts supplies away following manufactured specifications to avoid spoilage of reagents.
• Always reports panic values to R.N. and to the patient’s physician, recording name and results for panic values correctly in computer systems.
• Responsibly completes all work procedures during the shift without sacrificing quality and never allows specimens to stand for a period that would reduce suitability for testing.
• Always performs stat orders as requested, consistently reports stat results within one hour from collection or as soon as possible.
• Completes work left from other shifts and strives to reduce any hold‑over test to be reported as results are available, reporting any incomplete assignments to the next shift for continuity.
• Demonstrates behaviors of service excellence and CARE values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Expertise).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Experience

Generally requires 1 to 3 years of related experience.

Education

Associate’s degree in related field is required; Bachelor's degree in related field is strongly preferred.

Skills

• Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work accurately while meeting multiple deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions.
• Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment.
• Knowledge and skill in use of job‑appropriate technology and software applications.

Credentials

Valid Florida license as a Medical Technologist in area of specialty is required. ASCP Certification is preferred.

Working Conditions

This position is performed in a fast‑paced laboratory environment and requires frequent interactions with a diverse population of team members, providers, patients and other stakeholders. Exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, needle sticks, airborne infections, X‑Ray and chemical hazards may occur. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required and reasonable accommodations can be made for disabilities.

Physical Requirements

• Extended standing or walking.
• Ability to carry objects weighing 21 to 50 pounds.
• Ability to lift or move objects weighing 51 to 100 pounds with the use of appropriate devices.
• Frequent visual acuity to perform activities related to extended use of computers.

Environmental Conditions

• Occasional high pressure or emergent and stressful situations.
• Periodic exposure to needle sticks and airborne infections.
• May require working in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Exposure to medical gases, X‑Ray and other potential hazards.

Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).