This position will provide medical laboratory technology services to the Clinical Pathology laboratory. This position is responsible for providing clinical laboratory support to the VTH and outside clients primarily by operating and maintaining laboratory equipment, performing appropriate and necessary calibrations and quality control checks to ensure accuracy of results, implementing manual methods, diagnosing and investigating errors, and taking action to correct or refer, computing, recording and reporting results.
The work involves the areas of Sample Accessioning, Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Immunohematology, and Fluid Analysis / Cytology.
The level of technical and physiologic understanding gained through a formal medical technology program is necessary to appropriately evaluate patient results for validity and determine whether a corrective action is required prior to reporting the results.
This position may be required to step into any laboratory testing situation and complete any laboratory task as a float position between the various sections in Clinical Pathology to relieve the working supervisor and other staff from laboratory testing.
This position will be expected to provide exceptional service to clientele.
The applicant should be responsible and able to work in a team environment. This is an essential position, and the employee is required to report to work, without delay, on all / most weather closure days and various holidays throughout the year.
This position will be required to report to work for urgent laboratory requests and may be required to work significant hours (exceeding 40 hours per week) for various important diagnostic efforts.
The Clinical Pathology laboratory is open M-F 6am-2am and Sat-Sun 8am-12am. While this position would have scheduled shifts the majority of the time, the applicant may be asked on short notice to work a shift during any of these hours.
Due to the nature of the departments work, this is a fully in-person position located at the Diagnostic Medical Center, Fort Collins, CO.
The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the by proposed start date; Colorado State University Diagnostic Laboratories will not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Required Job Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associates or bachelors degree in medical technology or equivalent.
- Eligible for or certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or equivalent.
- Graduation from an AVMA approved Veterinary Technology program, credentialed as a Veterinary Technician in Colorado or able to transfer credentialing from another state, and recognition as a Veterinary Technician Specialist by the Academy of Veterinary Clinical Pathology Technicians may substitute for the degree and certification requirement previously listed.
- The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the by proposed start date; Colorado State University Diagnostic Laboratories will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Preferred Job Qualifications
- One or more years of clinical laboratory experience in the areas of hematology, chemistry, urinalysis, and coagulation.
- Experience in veterinary hematology.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills as evidenced by submitted written materials.
- Experience implementing principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Diversity Statement Ability to advance the departments commitment to diversity and inclusion through research, teaching and outreach with relevant programs, goals and activities.
Essential Duties Job Duty Category Laboratory Testing and Resulting Duty / Responsibility
- Perform routine and non-routine tests and procedures in the clinical pathology lab.
- Operate independently in performing the full scope of non-routine tests and procedures.
- Obtain and report laboratory results on specimens received for chemistry analysis, complete blood counts, urinalysis, fluid analysis and others by operating the appropriate lab instruments and / or testing by manual methods.
- Use laboratory analyzers and attend appropriate training necessary for ongoing competent use.
- Verify test results by correlating with other laboratory data and quality control and by evaluating and reporting the specimen quality regarding test limitations, physical characteristics, age of sample, method utilized to obtain sample, etc.
- Modifies lab or testing procedures as necessary to gain needed results.
Percentage Of Time 75 Job Duty Category Laboratory Sample Verification and Charging / Sample Integrity Duty / Responsibility
- Ensures sample submitted is labeled appropriately and matches paperwork submitted regarding sample ID and test(s) requested.
- Expedites sample testing by charging for the ordered tests through the hospital information system software and labeling the samples using the barcode software and slide labeling system.
- Prints a daily and monthly work log in order to ensure samples are properly charged and completely finished. Initiates communication with clinician and / or student if sample received is improperly labeled.
- Verifies the receipt of quality specimens for clinical pathology testing; including correct labels, correct paperwork, correct sample type, sample quality and sample quantity.
- Knowledge of what type of sample is needed for each test is essential, as well as knowledge of the different types of anticoagulants used in blood collection which fit the testing protocols.
- This position must use their judgment and apply this knowledge in varying circumstances in order to expedite getting the test results to the clinician.
Percentage Of Time 10 Job Duty Category Laboratory and Equipment Maintenance Duty / Responsibility
- Performs daily, weekly and / or monthly maintenance on clinical pathology analyzers and records actions.
- Systematically organizes and maintains laboratory data by filing laboratory results from external veterinary clients and internal / external research project data.
- Ability to work with laboratory information systems is required to maintain laboratory data and have the skills to access prior results.
Percentage Of Time 10 Job Duty Category Quality Control Duty / Responsibility
- Assure quality results by implementing and evaluating a calibration and quality control program and by taking necessary appropriate corrective action.
- Execute calibrations and maintenance to maintain instruments and prevent untimely instrument malfunction.
- Resolve instrument malfunction by applying knowledge of specific instrumentation and implementing troubleshooting procedures.
- Create log forms to better document activities within the department.
- Organizes the review of select Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and maintains the SOP action log.
Percentage Of Time 5 Application Details