The Clinical Lab Technologist, Microbiology is responsible for performing specialized technical analyses of blood specimens leading to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the laboratory at Westchester Medical Center. Responsibility also involves ensuring the receipt, recording, grouping and labeling of specimens and the communication of test results to the attending physician.
Responsibilities:
Performs various types of clinical analyses in Microbiology.
Record findings on worksheet for verification. Write identification onto plates so that client and sample number can be tracked.
Read and Report cultures as per protocols.
Collect plates and place them in the incubator for the specified amount of time and temperature.
Subculture media and broth for use in pathogen testing as required.
Perform quality control as per protocols.
Process microbiological samples as per protocols. Preparing stains as needed.
Interprets test results, reviews and verifies result reports.
Operates automated or specialized equipment and performs maintenance or troubleshoots as needed.
Confers with attending or referral physician, nursing staff or other provider on test results, and ensures their immediate notification when the critical limits of specified test results are exceeded.
Provides technical assistance as needed in throughout the Microbiology laboratory.
Participates in validation studies in setting up new procedures and equipment.
Performs quality control testing, documenting remedial action taken for detected deficiencies and defects.
Ensures the proper preparing, storing, dispensing and periodic evaluation of reagents to assure the accuracy and precision of test results.
May provide training to new technologists/technicians in the core laboratory;
Reads, understands and follows all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for all tests, processes and testing platforms.
Reports and escalates any issues to the department supervisor.
Performs testing on proficiency samples in the same manner as patient samples.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements:
Experience:
0-2 years experience as a clinical lab technologist, preferred.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology or equivalent experience, required.
Licenses / Certifications:
Either: (a) possession of a license and current registration as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist issued by the New York State Education Department; or (b) possession of a limited permit as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist or restricted license to practice clinical laboratory technology at Westchester Medical Center issued by the New York State Education Department.
Other:
Good knowledge of the principles, techniques, procedures, instrumentation and safety precautions in the field of medical technology knowledge of core laboratory testing and platforms;, calibration, troubleshooting and routine maintenance of modern laboratory equipment and instrumentation,; ability to understand, follow and explain medical and technical instruction; ability to provide technical consultation to physicians and nurses; ability to implement quality control standards; ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the essential duties of the position; ability to use computer applications such as LIS systems, spreadsheets, word processing, e-mail and database software; thoroughness; dependability; accuracy; sound professional judgment; physical condition commensurate with the requirements of the position
WMCHealth is a 1,900-bed healthcare system headquartered in Valhalla, New York, with ten hospitals on eight campuses spanning 6,200 square miles of the Hudson Valley. WMCHealth employs more than 12,000 people and has nearly 3,000 attending physicians. From Level 1, Level 2 and Pediatric Trauma Centers, the region’s only acute care children’s hospital, an academic medical center, several community hospitals, dozens of specialized institutes and centers, a state of the art Telemedicine program, skilled nursing, assisted living facilities, homecare services and one of the largest mental health systems in New York State, today WMCHealth is the pre-eminent provider of integrated healthcare in the Hudson Valley.
