This role involves developing, implementing, and monitoring Point of Care Testing (POCT) programs, ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies like CAP, The Joint Commission, and DOH, while providing consultative services to clinical staff. The coordinator will also organize quality data, oversee proficiency testing, develop and revise POCT policies, and implement new testing under the POCT umbrella.
Requirements summary
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, along with five years of experience as a Clinical Lab Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technologist, or Medical Technologist in a high complexity environment. Strong leadership, organizational, critical thinking skills, and knowledge of legal aspects related to nursing practice are required.
high schoolQuality ControlQuality AssuranceProblem ResolutionRegulatory ComplianceProgram DevelopmentInstrument MaintenanceData InterpretationPolicy RevisionDocument ControlProficiency TestingTraining ImplementationLaboratory MedicineCritical Value ReportingPoint of Care Testing (POCT)RALS System OversightTechnical Assays
Job description
In collaboration with other departments, develops, implements, and monitors programs for Point of Care Testing (POCT) in the clinical areas. Provides consultative services to clinical staff and providers for POCT. Organizes quality data and presents to lab leadership.
Essential Job Functions
Ensure compliance with all requirements for Point of Care Testing as set forth by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the Joint Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH)
Ensure that all sites are inspection ready.
Keep up to date with new and revised requirements.
Act, in coordination with any Independence Laboratory, as an inspector for the POCT process as required by CAP.
Oversee CAP proficiency testing, per Independence Health policy and per CAP instructions.
Develop, review, and revise all policies within the POCT process.
Work with nursing education to ensure that the policies are written according to nursing needs.
Correctly place all laboratory policies in document control, and ensure all needed signatures are in place.
Update all policies and procedures as new regulations are developed.
Develop a Quality Control plan in concordance with any new or revised CLSI documents, or accreditation requirements.
Ensure that QC is being performed at correct intervals for the assay.
Review, Document and Trend quality control and quality assurance.
Implement new testing under the POCT umbrella.
Work with nurse educators to develop and implement training plans.
Perform actual training as needed, on whatever shift is needed.
Implement testing as required by CAP and DOH
Assist with training and competency as needed.
Maintain all POCT systems within Independence Health
Develop and implement maintenance plans for POCT testing instruments if needed.
Develop a tracking system to ensure POCT are available and in use.
Develop plan for any new POCT within Independence Health
Work with EHMG to encompass their POCT and ensure that they are performing per regulatory requirements.
Oversee, with assistance from IT, the RALS system for POCT.
Become proficient in troubleshooting RALS system.
Assist in testing for upgrades.
Performs low, moderate, and high complexity technical assays, evaluates, and interprets results forming conclusions requiring a high level of judgment.
determines and validates appropriate instrument settings, making adjustments as needed to ensure accurate patient results.
Demonstrates competency on all instrumentation and methods in assigned work areas, based on observation, documentation, and verifiable feedback.
Performs, in an independent manner, laboratory tests in assigned area, using established protocols and with an awareness of accuracy, method sensitivity and specificity, turnaround time and cost management; exhibits knowledge and independent judgment skills.
assesses test methods for procedural validity and testing accuracy, re-evaluating patient data for validity when instrument or methodology malfunctions are suspected.
performs and documents all quality control maintenance and variances according to policy and procedure.
Demonstrates a general broad knowledge of laboratory medicine, uses judgment skills in assigned work areas to facilitate the investigation and resolution of problem situations.
demonstrate a knowledge of the theoretical aspects of laboratory tests and methods, including appropriateness of test selection.
evaluates laboratory data to assess the need for recollection of the specimen.
correlates patient laboratory results to suspect pathological state and recognizes the need for follow up or reflex testing.
redirects testing to appropriate backup or secondary test methods and seeks to resolve primary testing issues.
incorporates learned theory, recognizing the interdependence of test and physiological conditions affecting results, to identify and solve problems.
consults appropriate personnel when correct course of action is in question or interpretation unclear.
Complies with all established guidelines in technical policies and procedures.
maintains competency in testing of all assigned areas and completes assessment in a timely and independent manner.
reports and documents critical values and read back verifications according to policy.
adheres to laboratory and section specific environmental control plan.
participates in clinical lab proficiency testing.
where appropriate, enters reflex testing codes into LIS to generate billing.
retains records of instrument printouts and specimens according to policy
attends continuing education programs, participate in technical training at the bench.
Other duties as assigned.
Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]
Required Qualifications/Experience
High School, GED or higher level of education.
Five (5) years of experience as a Clinical Lab Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technologist or Medical Technologist in high complexity environment.
Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Preferred Qualifications/Experience
Prior experience in Point of Care or Quality type role.
Associate degree in medical laboratory science preferred.
Registration through the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, HEW(HHS) certification, or equivalent education and experience as defined by CLIA '88 and PA Bureau of Laboratories for technologist performing high complexity testing preferred.
License, Certification & Clearances
Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
Travel may be expected locally between System locations.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Disclaimer
This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Work Environment
Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Physical Condition
Essential
Marginal
Constantly
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Never
Extreme Heat: x
Extreme Cold: x
Heights: x
Confined Spaces: x
Extreme Noise(>85dB)
x
Mechanical Hazards: x
x
Use of Vibrating Tools
x
Operates Vehicle (company)
x
Operates Heavy Equipment: x
Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices
x
Rotates All Shifts: x
8 Hours Shifts
x
x
10-12 Hours Shifts
x
x
On-Call: x
Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)
x
Travel Between Sites: x
Direct Patient Care: x
Respirator Protective Equipment: x
Eye Protection: x
Head Protection (hard hat)
x
Hearing Protection: x
Hand Protection: x
Feet, Toe Protection
x
Body Protection: x
Latex Exposure: x
x
Solvent Exposure: x
Paint (direct use) Exposure
x
Dust (sanding) Exposure
x
Ethylene Oxide Exposure: x
Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure
x
Blood/Body Fluid Exposure: x
Chemicals (direct use) Exposure
x
Mist Exposure: x
Wax Stripper (direct use)
x
Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure: x
Ionizing Radiation Exposure: x
Laser Exposure: x
Physical Demands
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
Essential – Absolute Necessity.
Marginal – Minimal Necessity.
Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.
Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.
Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.
Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.
Physical Condition
Essential
Marginal
Constantly
Frequently
Occasionally
Rarely
Never: Bending (Stooping)
x
Sitting: x
x
Walking: x
x
Climbing Stairs: x
x
Climbing Ladders: x
Standing: x
x
Kneeling: x
x
Squatting (Crouching)
x
x
Twisting/Turning: x
x
Keyboard/Computer Operation: x
x
Gross Grasp: x
x
Fine Finger Manipulation: x
x
Hand/Arm Coordination: x
x
Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)
x
x
Carry: 10#
Transfer/Push/Pull Patients: x
Seeing Near w/Acuity
x
x
Feeling (Sensation)
x
x
Color Vision: x
x
Hearing Clearly: x
x
Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead: x
x
Reaching Above Shoulder Level: x
x
Reaching Forward: x
x
Lifting Floor to Knuckle
###
10-19
20-29
30>50
Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle: ###
10-19
20>50
Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder
###
10-19
20>50
Lifting Shoulder to Overhead
###
10-19
20>50
When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.
