Molecular Technician 2 (Molecular Lab)

JOB SUMMARY

Position performs FDA-approved and non-FDA-approved assays for accurate and timely resulting. Duties include extracting RNA and setting up RT-PCR reactions tied to in-house molecular testing as well as analyzing and releasing patient results as outlined by company policies and procedures. Personnel falling under this job title will be performing high complexity testing and as such are required to meet the high complexity testing personnel requirements as described in regulation 42CFR493.1489(b)).

 Northwest Pathology, P.S. dba Avero Diagnostics operates on a 24/7/365 basis; individuals may be required to work various shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.  Schedule flexibility with and without advanced notice is required.

 ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Prepares reagents and other consumables for extraction procedures.
• Organizes daily specimens and their long-term storage.
• Based upon business needs and workflows, cross-trains and performs duties in other areas of the lab as directed.
• Ability to effectively problem solve and communicate issues as they arise.
• Collaborate with other departments to maintain a consistent workflow to fulfill time commitments and company requirements.
• Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of equipment, supplies, and assigned work area.
• Effectively provides job-related training to team members within the molecular lab area.  Serve as team member resource to answer questions/problem-solve, and provide support and guidance to ensure individuals are able to complete tasks accurately, efficiently, and timely.
• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, objectives, cleanliness, quality assurance, safety, and infection control.
• Assists others to complete tasks and work assignments.   
• Assists in training of new team members
• Performs analysis of appropriate assay and communicates findings for reporting results.
• Reviews and releases results of Assays with auto-transmitted results via LIS.
• Assists with laboratory procedures and departments.
• Participate in training and other learning opportunities to expand knowledge of company and position.
• Attends and productively engages in designated team and/or department meetings, which may or may not occur outside of scheduled shifts.
• Perform RNA extractions for molecular testing.
• Performs RT-PCR-based molecular testing of a variety of assays.
• Researches, develops, standardizes, evaluates, and modifies techniques used in the laboratory and assists in the development of new assays.
• Release patient results (using both interpretive software and manually interpreting RT-PCR curves and CT values).
• Maintains consistent professional collaboration with our Pathologists regarding specific resulting questions and troubleshooting.
• Provide professional and timely communication with clients, providers, and patients by phone and/or email.
• Creating, organizing, and updating data to identify, track, and report trends as delegated by the Laboratory Manager.
• Flexibility to multitask between PCR responsibilities and Resulting responsibilities daily.
• Organize reruns for positive, invalid, and inconclusive samples.
• Assist team in locating missing or problem specimens and maintain patient database.
• Responsible for sending out specimens upon request in a timely and accurate manner.
• Prepares reagents and other consumables for extraction procedures.
• Based upon business needs and workflows, cross-trains and performs duties in other areas of the lab as directed.
• Ability to effectively problem solve and communicate issues as they arise.
• Collaborate with other departments to maintain a consistent workflow to fulfill time commitments and company requirements.
• Performs routine cleaning and maintenance of equipment, supplies, and assigned work area.
• Organizes daily specimens and their long-term storage.
• Effectively provides job-related training to team members within the molecular lab area.  Serve as team member resource to answer questions/problem-solve, and provide support and guidance to ensure individuals can complete tasks accurately, efficiently, and timely.
• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, objectives, cleanliness, quality assurance, safety, and infection control.
• Assist others in completing tasks and work assignments.   
• Assists with laboratory procedures and departments.
• Participate in training and other learning opportunities to expand knowledge of company and position.
• Attends and productively engages in designated team and/or department meetings, which may or may not occur outside of scheduled shifts.

 EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSE 

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Internal candidates must have completed all Molecular Technician 1 (Molecular Lab) training and competencies required.
• Required to meet the high complexity testing personnel requirements as described in regulation 42CFR493.1489(b):
  1. MD or DO with a current medical license; OR 
  2. Doctoral degree in clinical laboratory science, chemical, physical or
     biological science; OR 
  3. Master's degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory, chemical,
     physical, or biological science; OR 
  4. Bachelor's degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory, chemical,
     physical or biological; OR  
  5. Associate degree in chemical, physical or biological science or medical
      laboratory or equivalent education and training (refer to
     42CFR493.1489(b)(2)(ii) for details on required courses and training); OR 
  6. Individuals performing high complexity testing on or before April 24, 1995
      with a high school diploma or equivalent with documented training may
      continue to perform testing only on those tests for which training was
      documented prior to September 1, 1997 (refer to CLIA regulation
     42CFR493.1489(b) for details on required training) OR  
  7. Individuals previously qualified or could have qualified as a technologist
     under CFR.493.1489 and CFR.493.1491 on or before February 28, 1992

• MB(ASCP) certification preferred.
• Active and valid US State-Issued Driver’s License with acceptable motor vehicle record as defined and approved by the company’s vehicle insurance carrier. 

 EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3 years of experience required:
  1. Molecular/Microbiology/Genetic/Cytogenetics
  2. High demand, fast-paced, exceptional customer/patient service environment.
  3. Proficiency with computers and strong, accurate data entry/typing skills.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Knowledge of application of molecular techniques to clinical lab work, (specifically qPCR or RT-PCR).
• Familiarity and experience with molecular laboratory tools and their maintenance.
• Exhibits patience and approachability, sets positive tone and example for team member behavior, work ethic & quality, abilities, skills, and overall performance.
• Demonstrates ability to maintain confidentiality at all levels; acts with high integrity.
• Establishes and maintains solid interpersonal relationships with team members across all levels of an organization. 
• Demonstrates and facilitates professional communication skills; must be able to understand, listen, write, and speak fluently, professionally, and, effectively in the English language. 
• Motivated, responsible, and organized self-starter who excels at time management, timely follow-up, meeting commitments, and, possesses a passion for continuous learning and improvement. 
• Strong attention to detail, analytical, research, and problem-solving skills. Pro-active ability to identify, assess, improve/refine, and solve complex challenges, processes and/or situations.
• Ability to successfully work collaboratively within a team as well as independently with minimal supervision. 
• Flexible and able to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth, team-based environment while successfully handling competing and ever-changing priorities and responsibilities with frequent interruptions. 
• Solid track record of taking responsibility and holding one’s self-accountable for high-quality task deliverables within established deadlines. 
• Effective facilitation, collaboration, negotiation, and conflict resolution abilities. 
• Exhibit personal presentation in a professional manner as it relates to appearance, communication, and actions. 
• Proficient software/computer skills utilizing various applications which include, but are not limited, to the following:  MS Windows, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, health care databases/systems, etc.
• Regular and predictable attendance and punctuality.
• Focused on overall team success vs. solely on individual success. 

 WORKING CONDITIONS

• We share a collaborative obligation to ensure that we conduct ourselves in the utmost ethical manner and that we hold each other accountable to the values and standards of the organization. Every employee has the responsibility to ask questions, seek guidance, and report concerns and/or violations of company policy or ethical standards. 
• The organization has several processes in place to communicate with leadership and expects that employees will commit to integrity and uncompromising values.
• This position works in a demanding, fast-paced office and lab environment with the need to meet daily workload requirements.   Incumbents may be exposed to chemicals and require the use of personal protection equipment and universal precautions.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers/keyboards/mice, printers, phones, mobile devices, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines, etc. The noise level in the office work environment varies from moderate to loud.    

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear; sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; grasp and/or reach with hands and arms; repetitive movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close visual acuity and the ability to adjust focus to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; reading reports, various forms of charts or records, transcribing; viewing computer monitor(s); extensive reading; and legally operate a motor vehicle.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties and/or work various shifts as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.   Furthermore, they do not establish an employment contract and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.