HLA Technician

General Description: Under direct supervision, performs professional technical and analytical work in a HLA medical laboratory.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position.

• Performs HLA laboratory tests requiring separation of lymphocytes, DNA and sera present in blood and tissue specimens.
• Works with transplant coordinators, dialysis centers and nurses to resolve specimen and order issues.
• Performs HLA typing, antibody detection, antibody identification and crossmatching tests with supervisory review.
• Conducts calibration of instruments and equipment in the laboratory.
• Performs and documents daily startup/shutdown associated with instrument maintenance.
• Performs quality control as needed for equipment, reagents and employee proficiency with guidance from a technologist or above.
• Complies with all hospital and laboratory safety policies and procedures including the appropriate us of PPE.
• Works on-call for transplant programs with supervision or review.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and supports the hospital in meeting regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Participates in laboratory quality activities including quality monitoring and auditing, occurrence/deviation documentation.
• Performs proficiency testing according to laboratory and regulatory requirements.
• Assumes responsibility of own professional development. Must complete 12 contact hours (1.2 CEU)of continuing education per year (as per ASHI standards)
• Completes annual competency assessment.
• Stores patient sera and DNA according to laboratory procedure.
• Aliquots media and reagent with assistance from a technologist II or above.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in a life science [e.g., microbiology, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, clinical or medical laboratory science] required.

Experience: None.

License(s)/Certification(s)/Registration(s) Required: None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have the skills to perform required laboratory testing.
• Must be able to work as part of a team and follow instructions.
• Must be able to consistently and dependably report to work as scheduled.
• Must be able to maintain legible, accurate and organized records.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and exercise sound judgment.
• Must be able to multitask and remain calm in stressful situations.
• Must possess ability to understand various operations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to work and communicate with co-workers and other caregivers, and meet their needs in a professional, polite, courteous, compassionate and cooperative manner.
• Must demonstrate a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards establishing priorities and completing assignments.
• Ability to assist in the pre-analytical phase for specimen procurement, identification and proper specimen handling.
• Performs troubleshooting and technical problem solving.
• Ability to assess and verify the validity of patient test results, including identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results.
• Core knowledge and understanding of normal laboratory processes.