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This is the first class of the Medical Techno1ogist Series. Positions in this class are responsible for performing professional laboratory analyses in a hospital or clinical laboratory in order to provide clinicians with information to diagnose and treat disease. Positions at this level perform a variety of standardized procedures or specialized tests in such areas as blood banking, clinical chemistry, cyto1ogy, hematology, microbiology, histology and immunology. This class is distinguished from the Medical Technologist Senior by conducting less complex procedures and the absence of responsibility for performing in a lead capacity.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty requiring the use of sophisticated Instrumentation and/or semi-automated and manual techniques to perform both technically demanding and the more routine testing, analyzing, and timely reporting of data. Position exercises judgment in selection and implementation of established methods and techniques to facilitate the isolation and identification of disease-producing microorganisms in patient samples. Receives, processes, and analyzes patient specimens; conducts manual tests such as isotopic labeling, Radio Immunodiffusion, electrophoresis, and liquid chromatography; conducts automated tests using a variety of instrumentation (for example, gas chromatographs, discrete chemistry analyzers, chemistry profile analyzers, Hemacell count analysis, spectrophotometers, cytometers, blood gas analyzers, and centrifuges); performs, verifies, and documents quality control values for all tests and procedures; interprets and reports test results to clinicians and other medical staff; initiates corrective action when test results do not fall within established quality control limits; performs scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and repairs on instrumentation; inventories supplies and reagents in the work

section; instructs medical technology students, residents, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and new employees in laboratory policy and procedures; and serves as the resource person or assigned laboratory instruments or procedures.

Supervision Given: Generally supervision is not a factor, but it may be exercised over laboratory support personnel.

Supervision Received: General supervision is received from higher level medical laboratory personnel or health administrators in the form of regular work assignments, objectives, and deadlines. Advice is received regarding instrument and procedural problems, atypical quality control results, and non-routine requests.

Scope: Work affects the testing, diagnostic services, and quality control of a c1inical or hospital laboratory.

Impact of Actions: Test performance and interpretations have a moderate impact on the accuracy of the diagnosis and the appropriateness of the treatment of clinic and hospital patients. Late or inaccurate test results could adversely affect the health of patients and could lead to costly re-tests.

Personal Contacts: Frequent contacts with laboratory staff, students, nurses, patients, and physicians to explain procedures used, test results, and the need for further testing. Occasional contacts with vendor representatives to order supplies and arrange for equipment repair.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the theory and practice of medical laboratory methodology and instrumentation. Working knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and disease processes related to area of assignment.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to independently conduct a variety of routine and non-routine clinical laboratory analyses; operate clinical 1aboratory equipment; make subtle discriminations and accurately interpret, record, and present laboratory test results; and communicate findings to medical staff. Demonstrated ability to obtain specimens from patients.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in medical technology, chemistry, microbiology, or biological science.

Level and Type of Experience: Relevant clinical laboratory experience.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may be substituted for this education and experience.

This class was developed as a result of the Statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program in July 1989 and replaces the Medical Laboratory Technologist c1ass.