Medical Laboratory Technologist

Medical laboratory technologists perform a variety of laboratory tests and procedures to assist physicians in diagnosing, monitoring, treating, and preventing disease. These tests have a wide range of areas; blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology and microbiology.

Key responsibilities of the role

Specimen collection:
1.    Follow lab phlebotomy manual and lab handbook for sample requirements.
2.    Practice proper patient identification.
3.    Use LIS for patient identification and labelling of sample 
4.    Decides the best method for drawing blood depending on the specific patient
5.    Collects blood samples from patients
6.    Receive and accept urine and stool samples.
7.    label vials or specimen container with proper patient identification including patient names, MRN, DOB, and dates
8.    Arranges and packs all specimen samples to be sent to laboratory
9.    expect to work with a large number of patients varying in age and health status
10.    Arranges and organizes phlebotomy cart or station all the times
11.    Practice infection control standards at all times when working with patients and equipment

Sample sorter:
1.    Receive, accept, and accession all lab specimens.
2.    Centrifuge blood samples as per lab protocol
3.    Arranges and packs all specimen samples to be sent to central laboratory/reference lab

Clinical chemistry/ Serology/Immunology tests :
1.    Receive, accept, and accession specimens for clinical testing 
2.    Operate analyzers and perform, calibration,  quality controls, trouble shooting for following test but not limiting:
      •    All chemistry panels
      •    Immunoassy  
      •    Infectious disease, etc.

Special test:
1.    Allergy profile test using blood.
2.    UBT.

Hematology and coagulation section:
1.    Receive, accept, and accession specimens for haematology testing 
2.    Perform maintenance and QC of haematology analyzer
3.    Analyse blood samples for haematology cells count using haematology Analyser and ware of software of analyser.
4.    Perform automated and manual cell count for  CSF and Body fluids
5.    Prepares thin and thick smears from specimens and stain with Leishman and Giemsa stains. 
6.    Perform rapid tests .e.g. (Sickle cell and malaria)
7.    Perform initial smear microscopic examination for detecting blood parasite including malarial parasite but not reporting in system.
8.    Perform maintenance and QC of blood coagulation
9.    Run blood specimens in analyser for  blood coagulation studies including the following tests ( PT / INR , APTT , D-dimer and fibrinogen )
 
Blood Transfusion service:
1.    Follow Blood banking procedures (Specimen acceptability; storing; release; etc.).
2.    Perform blood group typing  including ABO/Rh typing/Antibody screen (Indirect Coombs): Automated,  Gel method, 
3.    Perform blood Cross matching: automated and manual Direct Coombs method  (DAT) for antibody identification,  antibody titre
4.    Aware of emergency release procedure for issuing blood components
5.    Aware of transfusion reaction work-up
6.    Prepare blood component before issue to recipient including  plasma thawing
7.    Prepare and issue of platelet. 

Other responsibilities

Clinical Microscopy:
1.    Perform maintenance, QC, trouble shooting of urine analyzer
2.    Operate urine analyzer 
3.    Analyze urine specimen for chemical components.
4.    Perform microscopic examinations for urine, stool, and body fluids, 
5.    Perform Semen analysis 
6.    Perform microscopic for wet preparation for (WBC; Yeast; Trichimonis; etc.

Molecular test (COVID 19 Rapid PCR test):
1.    Operate equipment and computer programs related to equipment and LIS system.
2.    Evaluate specimens received by the department and prioritize  workflow to provide maximum efficiency of testing and optimum  turnaround time of results 
3.    To process  specimen for  COVID 19  PCR rapid test (closed system)
4.    Able to evaluate results to determine interference, inhibition, or other problems that arise during extraction, or amplification of DNA or RNA.

Professional requirements
1.    Reem Hospital values and caring standards are demonstrated in behaviour. 
2.    Complies with Reem Hospital professional code of ethics.
3.    Adheres to all organizational policies and procedures, including those pertaining to confidentiality and helps implement them.
4.    Client expectations are met and quality client service principles maintained.
5.    Communicates and uses appropriate customer relation skills with clients, and healthcare team in person and via the telephone; response to overhead pages; regular and prompt attendance; ability to work schedule as defined.
6.    Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
7.    Ensure that various hospital information systems and software are efficiently utilized 
8.    Report to work on time and as scheduled.
9.    Wear identification while on duty
10.    Maintain regulatory requirements, including UAE local regulations and international accreditations organization (JCIA and ISO15189) 
11.    Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times
12.    Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
13.    Communicate the mission, ethics and goals of the organization.
14.    Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities. 

Continual education and training requirements
1.    Complete annual education requirements required for DoH license renewal 
2.    Completes requirements for in-service training
3.    BLS and other certification as determined by specialty and clinical setting.
4.    Competency is demonstrated in all performance output areas 
5.    Attend regular staff meetings and in-services as per laboratory assignment

Compliance guidelines

Quality Management
1.    Ensure high level of performance through active quality control program at all testing area.
2.    Maintain records and files according to guidelines of regulatory agencies and accreditation organization. 
3.    Participates in external quality assurance programs (proficiency testing program).
4.    Comply with ISO accreditations requirements as per the standards of ISO 15189:2012 and perform the duties necessary to support and achieve accreditation.
5.    Participate in accreditation preparation as per task assigned by head of department//Laboratory Manager.

Risk Management
1.    Monitors laboratory supplies, orders and receive supplies as in accordance with the established policies & procedures, 
2.    Perform required instrument maintenance at the prescribed times and log appropriately
3.    Cleans working areas. Dispose of contaminated material as laboratory policies and procedures.
4.    Complies with biohazard/ radiation safety standard through proper handling of potential hazardous chemical and biological agents/ or radiation sources in the work place. 
5.    Uses universal safety precautions to protect self and co-workers from biohazardous material including but limited blood-borne pathogens
6.    Report any occurrence not consistent with the operation of the hospital or standard of the service for the patient, employees or visitors and situation with put patients, staff or visitors at risk for injury or harm..

Occupational health and hazard
1.    Complies on all laboratory health and safety practices and policies
2.    Personal Protective Equipment:  May work in close contact with patients who have infectious diseases therefore, must follow strict guidelines and protocols to protect their own health.
3.    Possesses knowledge of Safety and Environmental concerns associated with Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHAD), ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001
4.    Monitors and reports any issues related to safety in the immediate work area i.e. frayed or tattered electrical cords, faulty equipment that poses a risk to staff operating it, maintaining a clean uncluttered work area.
5.    Able to verbalize and demonstrate understanding of the reporting mechanism for any risk identified in the performance of job duties.
6.    Discard the waste as per discarding waste policy and procedures 
7.    Able to verbalize understanding of safety procedures in the event of an internal or external disaster and the role they will participate in.

Qualifications, Certifications and Experience

Education:
•    Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Technology or Biochemistry Science
•    Active DOH license as Medical Laboratory Technologist
Experience:
•    Must have a minimum of 5 years total experience, with at least 2 years in the UAE working in a hospital setup.
•    Good experience in Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Transfusion Medicine, Quality Control &
•    Clinical Pathology.
•    Experience in ISO 15189 & JCIA Accreditation.
•    Demonstrate manual dexterity as necessary to complete procedures and patient examinations 
•    Skills in reading diagnostic reports and interpret them.

Additional requirements:

•    Concentrate for extended lengths of time
•    Tolerate frequent interruptions and accommodate readily to changing work priorities.
•    Readily and effectively communicate with others, both verbally and in writing.
•    Good command in written and spoken English, Arabic fluency is an advantage.
•    Presentable and pleasing personality
•    Proactive and approachable
•    Required physical activities to include standing, walking, kneeling, lifting, stretching, stooping and repetitive movements.

Ensuring personal effectiveness
1.      Facilitates effective communication between the patient, family and the interdisciplinary health care team as required.
2.      Demonstrates improvement in clinical practice as a result of application of new theoretical knowledge and technology.
3.      Actively participates in the annual system of performance review.

Accountability
1.    Managerial accountable to: 
      •    Laboratory Manager
      •    Laboratory supervisor 
      •    Senior Medical technologist 
2.    Technically/ Professionally accountable to
      •    Head of department/Clinical pathologist 
      •    Senior Medical technologist  
3.    This position has no direct line management responsibility for staff.

Physical requirements

e position requires a considerable amount of physical work. The individual must be able to quickly maneuver throughout halls, stairways, and patient rooms in response to hospital emergencies. The following denote the key physical requirements for the job, which may require: Standing, Simple Grasping, Fine Manipulation, Operation Machinery / Equipment, Lifting / overhead reaching, Twisting, Climbing / Balancing, Crouching / Squatting, Reaching and Manual handling of people of approximately 100kg.  Lifting equipment must be used whenever practicable.

In addition, the position requires office work involving extensive use of the computer and interdepartmental coordination. Typical physical demands include: a high degree of manual dexterity to sufficiently perform computer functions on a keyboard, produce materials on a PC and operate basic office equipment, normal or corrected vision and hearing, extensive sitting and walking, mobility sufficient to visit with departments or employees throughout the facility and lift up to 13 kgs.