Job description

Location: CHA Cambridge Hospital
Work Days: M - F various shifts with rotating wknds, holidays
Category: Medical Technologist
Department: Microbiology
Job Type: Full time
Work Shift: Day
Hours/Week: 40.00
Union: Yes
Union Name: CH Laborers 380 Lab

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:
The CHA laboratory provides everything from from routine blood and urine tests to special tissue evaluation.

Summary:
Through the utilization of applied theories, principles, and practices of clinical laboratory technology, performs and reports tests in a manner to promote the efficient operation of the laboratory and provide effective patient care.

Responsibilities:

• Promises We Make to Patients and Families
• Identify self and department (wear ID badge)
• Asks patients what they would like to be called
• Creates a warm and welcoming environment
• Provides interpreter services or anything else that makes it easier for patients to communicate.
• Explains what they are doing and how long it will take.
• Tells patients how to reach staff if they need to Initiate:
• Stops and helps if patients look confused
• Asks how they can help patients. Tries to notice and to help when patients are worried or scared.
• Tries to find out and respect patients' individual needs and preferences. Interact
• Treats patients with dignity and respect.
• Puts themselves in patients' shoes.
• Dresses, speaks and acts professionally.
• LISTENS to patients, and really tunes in to what they are saying.
• Is aware of patients' waiting time and strives to reduce it
• Promises We Make to Our Co-Workers
• Remember simple courtesy---says "please" and "thank-you" to co-workers
• Shares information
• Encourages and expects positive and negative feedback.
• Practices good phone manners. Problem-Solve
• Respects all kinds of differences. Add comments
• Thinks creatively, outside the box. Supports Co-Workers:
• Helps other staff learn and learns from other staff.
• Shares responsibility
• Follows through on commitments Add comments
• Assumes good intentions
• Does their part to maintain a clean, safe attractive environment.
• Communication Skills
• Accurately records and conveys all telephone messages to the appropriate person.
• Always correctly obtains name and phone number of caller. Messages are written legibly.
• Answers the telephone promptly (within 4 rings). Identifies self and the department and says, “How may I help you?” Speaks in a friendly, patient and helpful manner.
• Is polite and respectful to patients and customers. Presents a helpful attitude at all times. Maintains a high level of awareness of customer importance and continually seeks to satisfy customer needs.
• Understands and appropriately utilizes all phone features such as: call forwarding, busy-call back feature, and intercom.
• Triages all calls appropriately; accurately determines the need of the caller, attempts to meet customer’s needs as appropriate whenever possible without forwarding the call.
• Ensures that there is someone to answer the phones at all times.
• Accurately relays reports to providers over the telephone. Able to look up specimen reports on the computer given the patient’s name or unit number.
• Patient Registration
• Accurately identifies the patient by matching the patient’s name, unit number, date of birth, age, address, and social security number.
• Accurately updates/enters demographics as needed.
• Correctly enters/updates patient insurance information, adhering to rules regarding primary and secondary insurances.
• Correctly enters names of attending and non-attending Providers.
• Accurately enters diagnoses.
• Correctly enters the date and time of service.
• Adheres to all compliance policies while performing patient registration.
• Correctly transcribes the registration number onto the lab requisition or other documents as needed.
• Transcription Skills
• Demonstrates adequate competency in the use and care of transcription equipment.
• Accurately transcribes written or audio tape of minutes/ letters/memos.
• Adequately utilizes office automation/PC routines as required and appropriate. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of how to send and receive OA and Outlook messages and mail.
• Types all correspondence in appropriate business formats using proper headings, page demarcations, etc.
• Proof reads and corrects all documents/computer work prior to submission. Utilizes spell check routines as appropriate.
• Returns all documents to the pathologists for final review in agreed time frame.
• Accurately transcribes data from the following to the computer including all required markers, procedure codes, initials, etc.
• Accurately types, proofs and distributes autopsy (Provisional Anatomic Diagnosis) reports to the appropriate pathologist in a timely manner. Records final report in the log book and mails reports to appropriate provider.
• Specimen Requisitioning and Receipt
• Accurately transcribes data from requisitions to the computer.
• Accurately verifies and matches all specimens with requisitions/ orders to ensure accurate receipt and processing
• Correctly identifies all specimen labeling errors and follows the laboratory policies and procedures for correct handling.
• Consistently notifies providers of all specimen problems in a timely manner. Documents all problems and notifications in the computer as required.
• Accurately delivers all specimens/labels/requisitions to the appropriate department.
• Properly stores all specimens according to test specific requirements so as to preserve the integrity of the specimen
• Ensures that all specimens are transported in a timely manner according to department and specimen requirements
• Accurately processes the collection batch by receiving, editing and canceling specimens appropriately.
• Consistently processes ‘Add-On” requests in a timely manner
• Properly handles all “Site Batches” received from other sites.
• Quality Control
• Demonstrates thorough understanding of quality control protocol.
• Ensures that all quality control criteria are met during the performance of assigned technical work. Immediately reports all quality control problems to the supervisor before proceeding. Performs all quality control tests as per department guidelines adhering to frequency requirements and standards for quality control performance.
• Patient Testing
• Accurately performs assigned technical work under the direct supervision of the department supervisor or designee. Such assigned duties may include, but not be limited to
• Planting Microbiology specimens
• Performing Point-Of-Care waived testing
• Preparation of Histology/Cytology specimens
• Centrifuging specimens
• Preparation and staining of slides
• Preparation of specimens for analysis
• Labeling of tubes/slides/plates for testing
• Storage and retrieval of specimens
• Managing a Front-End Specimen Processor
• Reports all difficulties in performance of duties immediately to supervisor for help with corrective action. Uses micro sampling techniques for pediatric and elderly patients when appropriate and possible.
• Consistently adheres to department guidelines for provider notification of STATs, critical and corrected values.
• Consistently completes all occurrence screens as required by the department.
• Performs all assigned duties in an accurate and timely manner.
• Transports supplies from the laboratory storeroom areas to the work station area. Will unpack supplies when received and appropriately label them with received date.
• Stays current with updates in procedures and is familiar with the contents of procedure and policy manuals.
• Readily performs other tasks as assigned or directed Add comments
• Reference Lab Testing
• Accurately completes the appropriate reference lab test requisitions, including all required information
• Accurately logs all patient tests into the appropriate log book.
• Accurately enters all patient test results. Consistently adheres to department guidelines for all test result verification procedures. Accurately files and maintains all reference lab test results In the designated report storage place
• Correctly notes all referrals in the computer
• Records a clear and accurate request for slides.
• Pulls reports, gets slides and reports to ensure safe delivery. Attaches send-out letter as needed. Coordinates effective delivery via courier, cab, etc. Accurately distributes incoming slides to appropriate pathologist. Checks and verifies that all slides are returned from outside institutions. Consistently adheres to department guidelines for provider notification of STATs, critical values and corrected results. Documents all notifications appropriately.
• Consistently and accurately completes reference lab manifests accurately. Effectively utilizes the MediNet interface.
• Ensures that all outstanding reports are reconciled on a daily basis.
• Computer/FAX/Copier Operation and Maintenance
• Understands basic computer functions such as enter/edit requisition routines, label routines and result inquiry routines
• Effectively troubleshoots all printer failures and demonstrates ability to perform all basic required maintenance procedures (i.e. printer cartridge changing, paper alignment, etc.)
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of computer downtime procedures. Accurately maintains all manual records during downtime to ensure complete data recovery when the system is back up and running.
• Effectively interfaces with HIS department as needed to resolve hardware and software problems.
• Appropriately signs out of terminals/specimens/screens as required by the hospital security policy and so as not to lock up specimens or screens. Does not use anyone else’s password to gain access to unauthorized screens
• Demonstrates an adequate knowledge of the use of the fax and copier.
• Accurately and efficiently copies requested documents. Maintains documents in the proper order and meets requested deadlines.
• Obtains, copies and returns medical records as needed.
• Internal and External Reports
• Demonstrates ability to correctly pull all types of external patient reports. Consistently adheres to the department schedule for the pulling and distribution of all external patient reports.
• Consistently adheres to the department schedule for the pulling and distribution of all internal computer reports. Accurately distributes all reports to the appropriate designated places
• Demonstrates an adequate understanding of the “mail sorting” procedure and accurately mails all reports to the appropriate location/provider.
• Accurately and consistently pulls and reviews the “Outstanding Specimen Report” at required intervals. Does appropriate follow-up to ensure that all specimens are accounted for and any problems are resolved within allowable time limits.
• Consistently pulls worksheets adhering to the established schedule and distributes to departments.
• Accurately and efficiently gathers materials and required reports for conferences. Pulls computer searches, lists reports as appropriate and gets all required slides. .

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Other information: Education/Certification/Experience:
Individual must meet one of the following criteria as appropriate to the specific department that has the vacancy:
1. Individual has MT (ASCP) certification or equivalent NCA or HEW certification. Specific clinical certification such as C (ASCP) or M (ASCP) will be accepted as appropriate.
2. Individual has CT (ASCP) certification
3. Individual has HTL (ASCP) certification
4. Individual meets current CLIA ’88 regulations for high complexity testing.

In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment.

Cambridge Health Alliance brings Care to the People - including your neighbors, friends and family. Our local hospitals and care centers serve our vibrant, diverse communities, and play an integral role in improving health. As passionate advocates for the underserved, we actively partner with our communities to take on challenging public health issues, and conduct important research to help reduce barriers to care. We believe that everyone deserves access to high quality, convenient health care. This is why our employees believe in where they work and why many build long, rewarding careers at CHA.

Healthcare is changing rapidly. CHA has a strategic plan that charts a proactive course for our future. It is built on a vision of equity and excellence for everyone, every time. It also recognizes that our workforce is our most valuable asset and prioritizes competitive salaries, benefits and professional development opportunities for employees. The strategic plan is changing the way we provide care and improving the health and experience of our patients; we are looking for smart, committed, compassionate people who want to be part of making our vision of better health and equity a reality.

At CHA, you can believe in where you work and go home every day knowing you made a difference. Join our team and help us bring Care to the People.

gatheringourvoice.org is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, gatheringourvoice.org provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, gatheringourvoice.org is the ideal place to find your next job.