Clinical Lab Assistant - Phlebotomist - University Hospital, (1610)

Location: University Hospital • Hourly position

About the role

The Clinical Lab Assistant Phlebotomist works independently with minimal supervision and performs one or more identified modalities. Compensation varies based on the number of modalities performed. Candidates without experience may be considered for a paid apprenticeship level. Regular in-person attendance during scheduled work hours is essential.

Schedule

• Friday–Tuesday, 04:30–13:00
• Weekends, holidays, and rotating on-call shifts as needed
• Additional shifts may be required

Responsibilities

• Perform duties in a professional and courteous manner
• Maintain supplies and inventory necessary for departmental functions
• Observe students and/or new staff as needed
• Exhibit basic problem-solving skills to ensure exceptional customer and patient care service levels
• Handle hospital communication responsibilities, including on-call duties during scheduled hours (cell phone required)
• Demonstrate effective telephone and verbal communication skills
• Use professional judgment when interacting with clients, patients, and co-workers
• Perform clerical functions as needed, including documenting critical communications (e.g., call-ins in a supervisor’s absence)
• Maintain confidentiality associated with the position and access to personal/confidential information
• Participate in on-call coverage to meet service levels
• Cover holidays, evenings, and weekends as required
• Basic PC skills

Modalities

Selected candidates will be placed into CLA Level 1, 2, 3, or 4 based on the number of modalities performed regularly. Assigned modalities are determined by department leadership.

• Check-in and Order Entry/Reconciliation (Clinical, Anatomic, Research, Referral Testing)
  • Identify patients in the system
  • Reconcile electronic orders
  • Manual entry when necessary
  • Handle insurance/payment as needed
• General Phlebotomy (ages 10 and above)
  • Vacutainer, butterfly, and syringe collections
• Special Collections and/or External Shipping Certification
  • Arterial blood gas, pediatric/infant draws, sweat collection, breath collections
  • Occupational health/drug screen collections, MRSA and COVID collections, therapeutic phlebotomies
• Assisting Provider-Performed Procedures
  • Fine-needle aspiration (FNA), bone marrow, EBUS, bronchial lavage
• Specimen Processing
  • Specimen receipt, sorting, delivery/loading, decanting, and retrieval for send-out testing
  • Surgical sample triage, specimen storage, and disposal
• Non-Conformity Investigation/Problem Resolution
  • Problem Desk/Portal, TLC, NCE responses, client service
  • Proper documentation
• Lab Equipment Maintenance and Support
  • Superuser responsibilities, chemical/biohazard waste management for non-testing instrumentation (e.g., cryostats, stainline)
• Sample Testing (waived to moderate complexity)
  • Appropriate instrument maintenance, biohazard disposal, and QC
  • Review results for defined parameters
  • Identify/resolve technical specimen, QC, or instrument problems
  • Report results
• Training and Competency Assessments
  • Train/assist in competency assessments for employees/students
  • Complete initial training documentation (e.g., N95 fit testing)
• Department-Specific Technical Assistance
  • Blood Bank (BB): Product prep (irradiating units, thawing cryo/plasma, splitting plasma/platelets)
  • Infectious Disease: Planting patient specimens (tissue/bone processing, plate inoculation, anaerobic/aerobic incubation knowledge)
  • Genetics and Cytometry: Nucleic acid extraction, cell culture/harvesting, renal transplant kit oversight, patient testing scheduling/monitoring
  • Histology and Cytology: Cytology specimen processing, slide prep/staining, histology specimen processing (bone marrow grossing, tissue-type processing knowledge)
  • TRI Honest Broker: Department-specific clerical/support functions
  • AP/HP Case Management: Organization of cases, slide distribution, FFPE block/slide filing, material retrieval
  • Consult Case Management: Ordering, material retrieval, billing, Client on the Fly, report upload
  • Unit Allocation & Issue: Cryo, plasma, platelet, bone, and tissue
  • Skilled Inventory Management: Ordering, receiving, monitoring par levels, end-of-month reconciliations (blood supply, reagents, supplies), TriBuy training/competency

Requirements

• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred Certification: PBT (ASCP) or equivalent
• Preferred Training: Completion of a relevant Clinical Lab Assistant or comparable program
• Immunization Requirements:
  • Prove immunity to Hepatitis B (or sign a waiver refusing immunization)
  • Documentation of a PPD test conducted within 90 days of hire (or complete one through TriCore)
  • For roles with direct patient contact: Prove immunity or eligibility for rubella, rubeola, and varicella immunization
• General Requirements:
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Good driving record (must be insurable by lab insurance carrier)
  • Eligibility to work in a healthcare facility under the New Mexico Caregivers Criminal History Screening Act or applicable law
• Minimum Experience: Candidates with no training/experience may be considered for an apprenticeship

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Continuous learning opportunities and education assistance
• Wellness programs
• Career advancement opportunities