At Houston Methodist, the Medical Laboratory Science Student position spends twelve months in a course of coordinated lectures and structured practical experiences in the clinical laboratories which is designed to present the theory of analytical procedures performed in the Laboratory Medicine sections and the relationship between the results obtained and disease states. This position performs analyses on actual patient specimens under the constant supervision of a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Upon successful completion of the course, the Medical Laboratory Science Student position will be eligible for the examination and certification provided by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists Board of Certification.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Using a clinical grade binocular microscope, discriminates among fine differences in structure and color (hue, shading, and intensity) in microscopic specimens.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maneuvers phlebotomy and culture acquisition equipment to collect laboratory specimens from patients.

• Controls laboratory equipment (i.e., pipettes, inoculating loops, test tubes) and adjusts instruments to perform laboratory procedures.

• Maintains a safe environment within the Laboratory, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous materials, security and emergency preparedness.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages the use of time and systematizes actions in order to complete professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints.

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Restocks section inventory levels as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Reads and comprehends technical and professional materials (i.e., textbooks, magazine and journal articles, handbooks, and instruction manuals).

• Critically evaluates her or his own performance, accepts constructive criticism, and looks for ways to improve.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Baccalaureate degree and satisfactorily completed the required prerequisite courses OR completed all courses required by a college or university with whom the Houston Methodist Hospital Medical Laboratory Science Program has an affiliation agreement and is eligible for a baccalaureate degree upon successful completion of the HM program

• Minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

• Completed the prerequisite coursework within the last seven years OR updated academic skills by completing college courses in immunology, chemistry and microbiology

• Transcript evaluation by an accredited United States evaluation agency for all prerequisite coursework earned outside of the United States

WORK EXPERIENCE

• No experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going evaluations consisting of one or more of the following: skills, competency assessments and/or performance reviews

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital / Laboratory Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and testing records and other related documents

• Possesses these intellectual skills: comprehension, measurement, mathematical calculation, reasoning, integration, analysis, comparison, self-expression, and criticism

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.