New England HERC

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Follow the laboratory?s procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records.
• Accurately perform, analyze and demonstrate proficiency of the following tests at a minimum: automated and manual cell counts, including trypan blue viability testing, basic flow cytometry analysis (CD34, T subsets, 7AAD viability, etc.), potency assays such as CFUs, etc., basic microbiology cultures and gram stains (clinical and environmental).
• Must interpret QC and test results, trends and respond/report according to procedure and policy.
• Adhere to the laboratory?s quality control policies, document all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and all maintenance performed.
• Follow the laboratory?s established policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the laboratory?s established acceptable levels of performance.
• Document all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory?s established performance specifications. 
• Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results, correct the problems encountered or immediately notify the senior specialist or supervisor.
• Maintain records that demonstrate that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.
• Follow regulations (FDA, CLIA, HIPAA, OSHA, state), standards (FACT, JC) and safety guidelines.
• If applicable, answer questions from clinicians or other lab personnel.
• Maintain complete records of all testing performed. Maintain general clean and organized appearance of the department.
• Ensure reagents/test kits have received dates, expiration dates, and if applicable, opened dates.
• Attend monthly department and any additional training/educational meetings.
• Participate in all applicable safety training sessions.  Know the location and contents of the safety manual.  Know the location/use of all applicable safety equipment.
• If needed, participate in government or regulatory agency inspections.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Basic knowledge of general clinical laboratory practices, hematology and microbiology.  In addition, must demonstrate general lab skills, aseptic practices, knowledge of lab safety and infection control practices.
• Able to perform aseptic processing of samples for relevant tests.
• Ability to accurately perform simple laboratory math calculations.
• Ability to work closely with others, possess solid interpersonal and communication skills.
• Capable of working in a fast-paced environment; effective in a diverse work group; willing to work in a rapidly changing work unit.
• Capable of handling stress of producing accurate results under time constraints.
• Good judgment, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Requires attention to detail and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with both laboratory and clinical staff within a complex, multi-organization environment.

Minimum Education requirement:

• Associate degree in chemical, physical or biological science or medical laboratory required.
• Bachelor's degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory, chemical, physical or biological preferred.

Minimum Experience requirement:

• Entry level in for cellular product high complexity testing lab. 
• Must qualify as Testing Personnel under CLIA as independent judgment is required for the high complexity work performed in the following areas: hematology, immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology.
• Experience in a clinical laboratory performing high complexity testing (may have been a part of an internship program).

Certification/Registration:

• MT (ASCP) certification or International Cytometry Certification Exam (ICCE) or other laboratory certification preferred.