Medical lab technician job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Medical lab technician in details. A complete job description concludes Medical lab technician key duties/responsibilities, Medical lab technician job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Medical lab technician duties:

1. Functions under supervision of Medical Technologist, Supervisor, or Pathologist.
2. Rotates in different bench areas of the laboratory as assigned by the Supervisor; rotations include coverage on evenings and weekends, as required.
3. Practices quality control for all laboratory procedures.
4. Performs venipunctures and capillary sticks and assists in specimen processing area.
5. Assists in the preparation of new procedures, and reagent preparation.
6. Assists with specimen computer entry and processing.
7. Maintains clean work areas.
8. Assists in orienting new staff members, and in training students and lab assistants.
9. Annually reviews test procedures and participates in periodic competency testing.
10. Attends general laboratory meetings and other continuing education sessions.

II. List of Medical lab technician qualifications

1.    Minimally an Associate's degree or equivalent is required

2.    Qualifications must be consistent with the 1988 Clinical Laboratory Improvement standard qualifications for MLT.

3.    Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology, Biology or Chemistry or Associates Degree in Medical Technology.

4.    Currently registered with American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or equivalent, or required to obtain registry within 90 days of employment.

5.    Phlebotomy experience is desired but not required

6.    Basic typing and computer skills

7.    Effective communication skills

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.