Reference Laboratory Technologist

This position reports to the Laboratory Operations Manager and the Director of Laboratory Services and/or the Supervisor(s) of the Reference. To assure good customer service and timely performance of testing for our clients and patients, it is necessary for employees to be trained to perform duties in more than one laboratory.

Resolve routine to complex serological problems of patients requiring transfusion therapy and inform hospital technologists, supervisors or physicians of results by telephone. Prepare patient consultation reports including transfusion recommendations /suggestions sent to hospital blood bank supervisors and Medical Director. Coordinate with blood bank supervisors, Medical Director and private physicians to provide the safest blood products for patients with red cell / antibody problems.

Provide antigen negative blood from RIBC’s liquid or frozen inventory or from the American Rare Donor Program. Maintain rare donor inventories and rare and unusual donor/blood through coding and classification to maximize the effective use of rare and unusual blood types.

Procure and maintain rare red blood cells and rare antisera inventories for use in testing. Maintain inventories of reagent antisera and laboratory supplies. Freeze and maintain rare red cells stored in liquid nitrogen. Maintain, test, evaluate and QC reagents and equipment. Assist in planning long-term capital equipment needs.

Participate in rotating on-call (weekends, holidays, evenings, and nights) for consultation, patient work-ups, antigen negative unit selection or screening for transfusion problems.

Keep current on Transfusion Medicine procedures and research and participate in educational programs such as lectures, seminars, and workshops.

Perform and supervise performance of Competency Testing and Proficiency Testing Surveys as assigned by Supervisor.

Maintain all files, records and forms pertaining to patient and donor testing in accordance with RIBC policies and appropriate regulatory requirements.

Instruction of rotating technologists, pathology residents and hematology-oncology fellows, SBB students.