Medical Laboratory Technician

Fairview is seeking a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) to join the Acute Care Laboratory at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center - West Bank. This is a full‑time, 1.0 FTE Day Shift position (7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.), including 3 of every 6 weekends. 

Our Acute Care Laboratories support a wide range of testing, including hematology, chemistry, blood gas, coagulation, urinalysis, transfusion medicine, and blood collection/processing. The West Bank lab serves both pediatric and adult patients and is staffed 24/7 by a dedicated team of 100 professionals. 

The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) plays an important role in providing quality, proficient and professional laboratory services to diverse populations within an integrated healthcare environment. The MLT performs waived, moderate, or high complexity testing following standard operating procedures (SOP), correlates data-based knowledge of technical and instrumental conditions affecting testing results and performs quality control procedures within established parameters. The MLT may also be involved in laboratory specimen collection, safe and secure specimen handling, ensuring efficient workflow and may schedules tests and provides results as appropriate. The MLT works independently under general supervision.

Responsibilities

• Follows established guidelines to obtain specimens and prioritize work:
• Collects and processes biological specimens with appropriate technique following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• Properly verifies patient identity.
• Assesses integrity of all specimens for testing.
• Verifies correct identification of specimens before testing.
• Follows established guidelines for determining priority of specimen testing and procurement.
• Performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic and therapeutic testing:
• Performs waived, moderate, or high complexity testing as defined by CLIA ’88 according to SOP in an efficient, cost effective manner. Any combination of the following areas may be included: Hematology, Coagulation, Microbiology, Serology, Immunology, Immunohematology, Chemistry, Special Chemistry, Urinalysis, Phlebotomy, EKG.
• Operates laboratory instrumentation and information systems according to procedure.
• Performs and documents maintenance procedures plus maintains adequate supplies.
• Recognizes problems and takes appropriate measures to resolve them:
• Seeks assistance appropriately for problems or unusual situations. Consults with supervisor if unable to resolve issues.
• Initiates proper safety or emergency responses.
• Evaluates testing results for accuracy and appropriate intervention:
• Determines if test results fall within normal parameters and reporting protocols. Recognizes age-specific reference ranges.
• Correlates data based on clinical knowledge, technical expertise and other conditions affecting test results.
• Takes appropriate action to recheck abnormal, discrepant, or unexpected results.
• Directly communicates abnormal and critical results to care giver.
• Obtains information from caregivers to resolve reasons for incongruent results (physiologic or methodologic).
• Demonstrates understanding of and commitment to Laboratory Quality Assurance, Performance Improvement and Laboratory Compliance Programs:
• Documents deviations and actions taken.
• Documents reagent, test kit and calibrator checks.
• Recognizes and communicates values and trends that exceed the QC decision levels.
• Takes action to resolve issues and consults with supervisor as needed.
• Participates in the lab Performance improvement program by collecting data, reviewing the results, and implementing action step recommendations.
• Collaborates with the customers of the laboratory to promote customer satisfaction.
• Demonstrates competency and compliance with all regulatory agency policies.
• Orients and mentors’ new employees and students:
• Orients individuals in routine and complex testing methodology, instrumentation, and information systems.
• Checks work prior to release.
• Completes training checklists and evaluations as appropriate.
• Reports progress and problems to supervisor/manager.

Required Qualifications

• Associate or higher degree from an accredited college/university in a related laboratory field including the related lab practicum or equivalent routes to qualify as high complexity testing personnel as specified in CLIA’ 88.
• Associate or higher degree from an accredited college/university in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medial laboratory technology from an accredited institution; Diploma with field of study listed or transcript must be provided. or
• Associate or higher degree or 60 semester hours of academic credit from an accredited college/university with 6 semester hours in biology and 6 semester hours in chemistry; Transcript must be provided. or
• Completion of a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training course and an associate or higher degree or 60 semester hours of academic credit from an accredited college/university with 6 semester hours in biology and 6 semester hours in chemistry. Transcript must be provided.
• Applicant should possess or be eligible to receive appropriate Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved laboratory certification. • ASCP, ASCPi, AMT, or AAB – MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician) within 1 Year.