Laboratory Assistant

Job Description

Job Summary:

• Under regular supervision, and according to established procedures, performs a variety of routine laboratory support procedures including pick-up, processing, order entry, and transport of laboratory specimens and materials.
• May perform occasional blood sample collection.
• Interacts with patients, laboratory staff, and caregivers in a courteous and professional manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares patient specimens for laboratory testing with particular emphasis on the pre- analytic and post-analytic processes.
• Enters patient demographic and test order information into lab information systems according to training protocols and in a timely manner.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information.
• Understands and follows Client Standards of Excellence to support a culture of exceptional customer service skills when interacting with patients, co-workers, and caregivers.
• Must demonstrated competency, productivity, and compassion on a sustained basis.
• Handles route inquiries from patients and staff.
• Reviews laboratory request forms for complete demographic and order entry information and resolves discrepancies as needed.
• Exercises care in specimen handling and order entry to protect the identify and integrity of samples.
• Within established parameters, and with appropriate competency training and supervisor approval, may perform selected CLIA waived tests.
• Following successful completion of competency assessment, may perform processing, testing, and reporting without direct supervision.
• Complies with established departmental and institutional policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment and improvement programs, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Helps ensure a safe work place.
• Reports any unsafe condition to supervisors.
• Assists in the training of employees and students.
• Attends and participates in department continuing education and in-service programs.
• May perform blood sample collection or phlebotomy on an occasional basis after completion of competency.
• May instruct patients and health care staff in the proper methods for lab specimen collection and handling.
• Within established parameters, may perform a variety of clerical tasks, transport specimens, prepare samples for testing, operate autoclaves and glassware cleaning equipment, systems, record temperatures, and use specified laboratory equipment.
• May perform other duties as requested or required to maintain operations.

Education, Experience and Licenses:

• High school graduate or equivalent required.
• Experience in a hospital or clinic laboratory is preferred.
• For positions requiring phlebotomy, a minimum of two months training and experience in phlebotomy is required.
• Training and experience can be obtained in a formal program or in a volunteer program under the oversight of an experienced phlebotomist who supplies a reference.
• For assignments requiring travel off-site, candidates must possess and maintain a valid Michigan motor vehicle license and reliable transportation with insurance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and demonstrate exceptional customer service skills is required.
• Familiarity with medical terminology preferred.
• Must meet or exceed core customer service responsibilities, standards, and behaviors.

Client Customer Service policy as summarized below:

• Candidates must have laboratory experience.
• Candidates must have familiarity with medical terminology.

Work Environment/ Physical Demands:

• Regularly exposed to infection from disease-bearing specimens, organs and tissues.
• Occasional exposure to radiation hazards.
• Exposures to odorous and/or toxic chemicals and specimens.
• Must be capable of standing and walking for prolonged periods to perform work duties.
• Must be able to perform computer order entry in an accurate manner according to peer based performance standards of productivity.

Shift Openings:

• One (1) opening: 2:00 PM – 10:30 PM.
• One (1) opening: 3:00 PM – 11:30 PM.
• One (1) opening: 4:30 PM – 1:00 AM.
• Additional overtime as required to complete needed processing for the shift.

Additional Shift Openings:

• One (1) opening: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
• One (1) opening: 2:00 PM – 10:30 PM.
• One (1) opening: 4:30 PM – 1:00 AM.
• Additional overtime as required to complete needed processing for the shift.