Clinical Lab Assistant - Phlebotomist - University Hospital, (1611)

Location: University Hospital

Schedule

• Thursday–Monday, 0700–1300
• Weekends, holidays, and rotating on-call shifts as needed
• Additional shifts may be required

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.

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
• Exercise professional judgment when interacting with clients, patients, and co-workers
• Perform clerical functions, including documenting critical communications such as call-ins in the absence of a supervisor
• Maintain confidentiality associated with the position and access to personal and sensitive information
• Participate in on-call coverage as needed to meet service levels
• Cover holidays, evenings, and weekends as required
• Basic PC skills

Modalities

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

• Check-in and Order Entry/Reconciliation (Clinical, Anatomic, Research, Referral Testing)
  • Identifying patients in the system
  • Reconciling electronic orders
  • Manual entry when necessary
  • Handling 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 and 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 functions
• Non-Conformity Investigation/Problem Resolution
  • Problem desk/Portal, TLC, NCE responses, client service, including proper documentation
• Lab Equipment Maintenance and Support
  • Superuser responsibilities, chemical and biohazard waste management for non-testing instrumentation (e.g., cryostats, stainline)
• Sample Testing (waived to moderate complexity)
  • Appropriate instrument maintenance, biohazard disposal, and quality control (QC)
  • Review results for defined parameters
  • Identify and resolve technical specimen, QC, or instrument problems
  • Report results
• Training and Competency Assessments
  • Consistent training and assisting in competency assessments for employees and students
  • Completing initial training documentation, including N95 fit testing
• Department-Specific Technical Assistance
  • Blood Bank (BB): Product prep (irradiating units, thawing cryo and plasma, splitting plasma and platelets)
  • Infectious Disease: Planting patient specimens, including tissue and bone processing (grinding and cutting), plate inoculation, knowledge of anaerobic vs. aerobic incubation requirements
  • Genetics and Cytometry: Nucleic acid extraction, cell culture and harvesting, renal transplant kit oversight, patient testing scheduling, and monitoring
  • Histology and Cytology: Cytology specimen processing, slide preparation and staining, histology specimen processing (including bone marrow grossing), knowledge of processing for each tissue type
  • TRI Honest Broker: Department-specific clerical or support functions
  • Organization of AP/HP Cases and Slide Distribution
  • FFPE Block and Slide Filing/Material Retrieval
  • Consult Case Management: Ordering, material retrieval, billing, Client on the Fly, report upload
  • Client Material Return
  • Unit Allocation & Issue: Cryo, plasma, platelet, bone, and tissue
  • Skilled Inventory Management: Ordering, receiving, monitoring par levels, end-of-month reconciliations (includes blood supply, reagents, supplies, TriBuy training, and competency)

Requirements

• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred Certification: PBT (ASCP) or equivalent
• Preferred Education: Completion of a relevant Clinical Lab Assistant or comparable program
• Immunization Requirements:
  • Prove immunity to Hepatitis B, be immunized, or sign a waiver refusing Hepatitis immunization
  • Provide documentation of a PPD test conducted within 90 days prior to hire or undergo a PPD test through TriCore
  • In departments with direct patient contact: Prove immunity or be eligible to receive rubella, rubeola, and varicella immunizations
• General Requirements:
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Good driving record and must be insurable by lab insurance carrier as required by location
  • Eligible to work in a healthcare facility per the New Mexico Caregivers Criminal History Screening Act or other applicable law
• Minimum Experience: Candidates with no training or 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 and education assistance
• Wellness programs
• Career advancement opportunities