Medical Technologist - Microbiology Generalist

Medical Technologist – Microbiology/Generalist Join North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) as a Medical Technologist specializing in Microbiology with generalist laboratory responsibilities . In this role, you will perform complex clinical laboratory testing that supports accurate diagnoses, timely treatment decisions, and quality patient care. You’ll also serve as a technical resource for the microbiology team, helping maintain laboratory quality, improve workflows, and support a collaborative healthcare environment.

North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) is committed to providing quality healthcare and supporting the well-being of the communities we serve. Our team members play an important role in delivering safe, reliable patient care through collaboration, professional development, and a commitment to service. At NARMC, laboratory professionals are essential members of the healthcare team, providing the accurate and timely test results clinicians rely on to make informed patient-care decisions.

The Medical Technologist – Microbiology/Generalist performs moderate- and high-complexity clinical laboratory testing, with a primary focus on microbiology and additional responsibilities in assigned laboratory disciplines. This position performs specimen processing, culture examination, microorganism identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, result verification, quality control, equipment maintenance, and troubleshooting.

The role also provides technical guidance to microbiology staff and supports training, procedure development, quality improvement, and regulatory readiness. The Medical Technologist works independently within documented competency and applicable regulatory requirements while collaborating with laboratory leadership and other healthcare professionals to ensure accurate results, patient safety, and efficient laboratory operations.

Key Responsibilities Microbiology Testing and Analysis Receive, evaluate, and process microbiology specimens, verifying specimen identification, collection, transport, preservation, and acceptability. Select appropriate culture media, inoculation techniques, incubation conditions, and processing methods according to approved laboratory procedures. Perform direct microscopic examinations, including Gram stains and other approved staining procedures.

Inoculate, incubate, examine, and interpret cultures from blood, urine, respiratory, wound, body fluid, stool, and other specimen sources. Identify clinically significant microorganisms, including bacteria, yeast, and other organisms, using authorized manual, automated, and molecular testing methods. Perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing and evaluate results for accuracy and consistency.

Recognize unusual organisms, antimicrobial resistance patterns, critical values, possible contamination, and findings requiring confirmation or escalation. Verify, document, and report preliminary, corrected, and final laboratory results using the laboratory information system. Communicate critical, significant, unusual, and reportable findings according to established laboratory policies.

Prepare and refer specimens or isolates to reference laboratories and public health authorities when required. Microbiology Technical Support and Coordination Serve as a technical resource for employees performing microbiology testing. Monitor microbiology workflow, pending cultures, equipment, inventory, and unresolved testing issues.

Review quality-control data and identify trends or concerns requiring corrective action. Assist with developing, reviewing, and implementing microbiology procedures. Support the evaluation, verification, and implementation of new testing methods, instruments, and laboratory processes.

Coordinate microbiology inventory and monitor media, reagents, stains, and supplies for appropriate storage, quality, and expiration dates. Provide technical guidance and training within demonstrated competency and authorization. Support proficiency testing, competency assessments, internal audits, quality-improvement initiatives, and accreditation readiness.

Promote consistent use of approved microbiology procedures across assigned shifts. General Laboratory Testing Maintain documented competency in assigned laboratory disciplines, which may include chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, blood bank, serology, and other laboratory sections. Perform specimen processing, clinical laboratory testing, result interpretation, and reporting according to approved procedures.

Evaluate results for accuracy, acceptability, and clinical consistency, investigating questionable or unusual findings. Recognize critical values and document timely notification according to laboratory policy. Respond promptly to STAT and priority testing requests while balancing patient-care needs and laboratory workflow.

Perform specimen collection and patient preparation when assigned and qualified. Quality, Compliance, and Laboratory Operations Perform and document quality control, calibration, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and corrective actions. Follow laboratory procedures, manufacturer instructions, and applicable Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and accreditation requirements.

Recognize testing conditions that may affect accuracy and withhold result reporting when required performance criteria are not met. Perform proficiency testing in the same manner as patient specimens and maintain required documentation. Participate in regulatory surveys, internal audits, method verification, validation, and accreditation-readiness activities.

Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment while following infection-control, bloodborne-pathogen, chemical-hygiene, and biological-safety requirements. Monitor supplies and promptly communicate equipment, inventory, and workflow concerns. Teamwork and Professional Development Communicate professionally with laboratory colleagues, providers, nurses, and other healthcare team members.

Train employees and students in assigned procedures when authorized and qualified. Complete required education and annual competency assessments. Maintain current knowledge of laboratory procedures, instrumentation, testing methodologies, and regulatory requirements.

Demonstrate sound judgment, attention to detail, adaptability, and effective prioritization in a fast-paced clinical environment. Work assigned shifts, weekends, holidays, and laboratory sections according to operational needs and documented competency. Report unsafe conditions, practices, or results that could affect patient safety or laboratory operations.

Job Qualifications Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science, clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or a chemical, physical, or biological science from an accredited institution; or qualification through another applicable CLIA pathway accepted by the Laboratory Director. At least one year of experience in a high-complexity microbiology laboratory . Meet applicable CLIA personnel qualification requirements for the complexity and specialties of testing assigned.

Possess and maintain appropriate certification as required by CLIA and the laboratory for assigned testing. Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or another nationally recognized certifying agency. Maintain required certification and/or state licensure in good standing, as applicable.

Demonstrate knowledge of clinical laboratory principles, microbiology methods, quality control, and applicable regulatory requirements. Ability to perform, interpret, and troubleshoot complex laboratory testing accurately and independently. Ability to maintain competency across multiple laboratory disciplines as assigned.

Ability to recognize and appropriately respond to critical, abnormal, or questionable results. Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, communication skills, and the ability to prioritize competing responsibilities.

Graduate of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)-accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist program. Five years of experience in a high-complexity laboratory, specifically in microbiology. Specialty certification in microbiology.

Experience providing technical guidance, training, quality-improvement support, and assistance with laboratory procedure development. Experience with manual, automated, and molecular microbiology testing methods. Compensation & Schedule

To be determined based on qualifications and experience.

Assigned shifts, weekends, holidays, and laboratory sections based on operational needs. Employment Classification: To be confirmed for the specific opening. The position may require flexibility to support laboratory coverage, STAT testing, and patient-care priorities.

Us At NARMC, your laboratory expertise contributes directly to patient care. As a Medical Technologist – Microbiology/Generalist, you’ll have the opportunity to apply advanced laboratory skills, support accurate and timely diagnoses, and help maintain the quality and reliability of essential clinical testing. Make a meaningful impact: Provide laboratory results that help healthcare providers diagnose and treat patients.

Use your specialized expertise: Focus on microbiology while maintaining and expanding skills across additional laboratory disciplines. Contribute to laboratory quality: Support testing accuracy, quality improvement, procedure development, and regulatory readiness. Share your knowledge: Serve as a technical resource and help colleagues develop their laboratory skills.

Work collaboratively: Partner with laboratory professionals and healthcare teams who share a commitment to patient safety and service. Continue growing professionally: Participate in ongoing education, competency development, and evaluation of laboratory methods and processes. Benefits Overview For benefit-qualified employees.

Multiple health plan options (PPO and HDHP) with coverage through NARMC Domestic Network and Cigna Health Plan. Dental and vision coverage through Delta Dental and Delta Vision of Arkansas. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) available.

Basic life insurance ($40,000) and AD&D provided at no cost; voluntary life options available. Short-term and long-term disability coverage offered. Accident and critical illness insurance through Lincoln Financial. 401(k) retirement plan with up to 3.5% company match, vested over 5 years.

Paid Leave Bank (PLB) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) with accrual based on service years. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and First Stop Health 24/7 counseling services. AirMed/Mercy Life Flight membership for eligible staff and families.

On-site wellness center and discounted membership at Planet Fitness. Tuition reimbursement and support for continuing education. Employee referral bonuses and internal promotion opportunities.

Pet insurance and identity theft protection available. Discounts on prescriptions, cafeteria meals, gift shop items, and local thrift store purchases. North Arkansas Regional Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer.

Employment requirements, duties, and responsibilities are subject to applicable regulatory standards, documented competency, and organizational policies.

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