Summary

Supervises and leads the day-to-day operations of a medical laboratory performing phlebotomy services, experiments and/or analysis. Independently performs a wide range of routine to complex medical laboratory tests, procedures, experiments, and analyses to provide data for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Engages in specified medical research activities as appropriate. Resolves complex problems, guides technical staff, and ensures compliance with federal regulations, University policies and procedures, and accreditation standards. May specialize in areas such as hematology, blood bank, serology, immunohematology, bacteriology, histology, or chemistry.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Oversees all facets of the daily operations of the organizational unit, ensuring compliance with the University, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations.
2. Supervises research/technical personnel, to include work allocation, training, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance.
3. Studies blood cell numbers and morphology, using microscopic techniques; performs blood group, type, and compatibility tests for transfusion purposes.
4. Conducts chemical analyses of body fluids such as blood, urine, and spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal and/or abnormal components.
5. Validates, calculates, and tabulates results of tests performed, posts findings to log books and quality control records, and makes reports of observations.
6. Assists medical staff in the interpretation of test results and with the selection of additional tests as appropriate; serves as an independent resource to faculty, staff, and patients regarding questions and concerns pertaining clinical testing protocol, procedures, and results.
7. Performs quality control to ensure proper functioning of instruments, reagents, and procedures; ensures test result documentation and submission adheres to established protocols.
8. Establishes and implements procedures to evaluate laboratory test methodologies for accuracy, precision, ensitivity, and normal values.
9. Researches and investigates problems with clinical laboratory procedures, and makes or recommends modifications and corrections as appropriate; ensures compliance with accreditation standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
10. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science or an equivalent field; at least 2 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Certification/Licensure: National Medical Technologist Certification.
• Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Ability to train and supervise technical staff and students in laboratory operations.
• Ability to use independent judgment to analyze and resolve problems.
• Knowledge of accreditation and certification requirements and standards.
• Ability to perform complex, advanced clinical procedures and to effect appropriate modifications to existing procedures.
• Ability to monitor and/or maintain quality control standards.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Ability to perform a range of clinical laboratory tests and chemical analyses on biological samples.
• Ability to analyze, verify and manipulate clinical and/or laboratory data.
• Ability to independently assess clinical test results and recommend appropriate additional tests and procedures to medical staff.
• Ability to identify and evaluate clinical testing problems and to effect corrective procedures and modifications.

Conditions of Employment

• May be required to submit to annual TB and rubella screening.
• UNM will provide Hepatitis vaccination, candidate may decline vaccination through declination form or may provide record of vaccination from previous employer.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.
• Must maintain certification status.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Light physical effort. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.
• Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

The University of New Mexico provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.

Revised Date: 05/31/2023