64B3-13.003. Responsibilities of Technologists

(1) The technologist is responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities of the supervisor, as assigned. The assignment of responsibilities must be written and specific.

(2) In addition the technologist shall fulfill the following responsibilities.

(a) Performs only those tests authorized by the director.

(b) Follows the clinical laboratory’s procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of patient test results.

(c) Maintains records that demonstrate that proficiency testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.

(d) Adheres to the clinical laboratory’s quality control policies, documents all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations and maintenance performed in accordance with the clinical laboratory’s approval policies and procedures.

(e) Follows the clinical laboratory’s established policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the clinical laboratory’s defined acceptable levels of performance.

(f) Is capable of identifying problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results and either must correct the problems or immediately notify a supervisor or director.

(g) Documents all corrective action taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications.

(h) Exercises professional judgment in evaluation, specimen integrity, result accuracy and inter-result validity and takes corrective action as necessary. Such corrective action shall include specimen rejection, recollection, and/or retesting using the same or alternate methods and/or utilizes other skills associated with the practice of clinical laboratory science to ensure validity and accuracy of testing at all times taking care not to compromise patient care with excessive rejections, recollections or delays. If in their judgment a specimen is compromised, the technologist shall include an appropriate disclaimer statement in the report indicating the potential compromised nature of the result and why.

(i) Participate in proficiency testing samples and ensure that these samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.

(j) In the specialty of Cytology, in addition to the above responsibilities, the technologist shall:

1. Document slide interpretation results of each gynecologic and nongynecologic cytology case he or she examined or reviewed, and the clinical laboratory’s policies and procedure.

2. Document for each 24 hour period the total number of slides examined or reviewed.

3. Document the number of hours spent examining slides in each 24 hour period.

Rulemaking Authority 483.805(4), 483.823 FS. Law Implemented 483.813, 483.823, 483.825 FS. History–New 12-6-94, Amended 3-28-95, 7-12-95, 12-4-95, Formerly 59O-13.003, Amended 4-10-01, 4-7-02, 10-1-19.