Medical Laboratory Technician

PLEASE NOTE - This position may require temporarily relocation to other TONHC Facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center.

Position Summary:

Work performed includes patient venipuncture, limited examination of specimens, cell morphologies, and specimen plating, all of which are for patient diagnosis and treatment. Work also includes maintaining test records and laboratory stock inventory.

Scope of Work:

This position is located in the Medical Laboratory Services division of the Tohono O'odham Nation Sells Hospital in Sells, AZ. The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) works under the direct supervision of the Clinical Laboratory Scientist and the Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Services provided by the Medical Laboratory Technician facilitate and confirm the physician and medical staff's diagnosis and facilitate the continuity of patient care and positive patient outcomes. These services include routine, non-routine, and specialized, highly complex testing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:(Depending on the area of assignment, an incumbent may not be required to perform some of the duties listed below):

• Performs a complete variety of laboratory tests and examinations while duplicating tests for quality control and patient testing to include the fields of Chemistry, Immunohematology, Immunochemistry, POC testing, Urinalysis, Blood Gas, and Coagulation.
• Perform cell morphologies on urine and other body fluids.
• Performs quality control procedures on equipment, reagents, and products and maintains proper records for quality control reports.
• Perform vein-puncture (phlebotomy) in the laboratory, ER, and inpatient wards.
• Prepare reagents, calibrators, solutions, and primary reference materials as applicable.
• Performs calibrations and maintains instruments, and verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple repairs.
• Accept referrals of abnormal or unusual results from Reference Laboratory and processes according to policy.
• Operates instruments in Chemistry, Hematology, Urinalysis, and Coagulation with minimal supervision and asks for assistance as needed to Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Supervisory Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
• Assist in maintaining the general clean, hygienic appearance and stock supplies of the laboratory.
• Contribute to a team effort.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Tohono O'odham culture, customs, and traditions.
• Knowledge of health care and diagnosis necessary to coordinate with and discuss results of tests with physicians or other professionals for whom tests and functions are performed.
• Sufficient skill and initiative to maintain a high degree of cleanliness and hygiene and general upkeep of the laboratory.
• Knowledge of health care and diagnosis is necessary to coordinate with and discuss tests results with physicians or other professionals for whom tests and functions are performed.
• Knowledge and skill to operate within a quality control system and a proficiency testing program.
• Knowledge and skills in Hematology, Immunohematology, Chemistry, Immunochemistry, blood gas, Coagulation, and urinalysis and minimal Microbiology such as gram stains to identify acceptable specimens and suitability for analysis.
• Thorough knowledge of the Privacy Act of 1974 mandates the incumbent to maintain the confidentiality of all administrative, medical, and personnel records.
• Knowledge of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191 (HIPAA).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree in Clinical Medical Laboratory, or closely related, or 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit from a college/university accredited by a recognized regional or national accreditation agency, in any science subjects, and one-year work experience in a Medical Laboratory setting.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and a National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.
• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).
• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.
• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as a condition of employment.