Clinical Lab Assistant - Rust Gross Room, (1634)

Location: Rust Gross Room. Hourly position.

About the Role

The Clinical Lab Assistant is able to work independently and with minimal supervision and/or oversight. Successful candidates have the experience and skillset to perform one or more identified modalities. Compensation is dependent 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

• Performs duties in a professional and courteous manner.
• Maintains supplies and inventory necessary to perform departmental functions.
• Observes students and/or new staff as needed.
• Exhibits basic problem-solving skills to ensure exceptional customer and patient care service levels.
• Responsible for hospital communication responsibilities as assigned, including on-call responsibilities during scheduled hours (cell phone) by location.
• Demonstrates effective telephone and verbal communication skills.
• Actively demonstrates professional judgment when dealing with clients, patients, and co-workers.
• Performs clerical functions as needed by the department, including documenting critical communication such as call-ins in the absence of a supervisor.
• Responsible for maintaining levels of confidentiality associated with position and access to personal and confidential information.
• Participates in and maintains coverage levels for on-call as needed/required to meet service levels.
• Participates in coverage for holidays, evenings, and weekends as needed or required.
• Basic PC skills.

Modalities

• Check-in and Order Entry/Reconciliation (Modality per system- Clinical, Anatomic, Research, Referral Testing)
  • Identifying patient in system
  • Reconciling electronic orders
  • Manual Entry when necessary
  • Insurance/payment when necessary
• General Phlebotomy (ages 10 and above) includes 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, including but not limited to FNA, Bone Marrow, EBUS, Bronchial lavage.
• Specimen Processing
  • Specimen receipt, sorting, delivery/loading
  • Decanting and retrieval for send-out testing and surgical sample triage
  • Specimen storage and disposal functions
• Non-conformity investigation/Problem Resolution (e.g., Problem Desk aka Portal, TLC, NCE responses, client service) including proper documentation.
• Lab Equipment Maintenance and/or support (superuser), including chemical and biohazard waste management for non-testing instrumentation (cryostats and stainline).
• Sample Testing (waived to moderate) including appropriate instrument maintenance, biohazard disposal, and QC.
  • Reviews results to see if they are within defined parameters.
  • Identifies and resolves technical specimen problems.
  • Reports out results.
  • Identifies, researches, and resolves specimen, QC, or instrument problems.
• Training and Competency Assessments
  • Consistent training and/or assisting in competency assessments of modalities for employees and/or students.
  • Completing initial training documentation, including N95 FIT Testing.
• Department-Specific Skilled Technical Assistance
  • BB-Product Prep: Irradiating units, thaw 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 versus 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, and 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 and 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 PBT (ASCP) or equivalent certification. Completion of a relevant Clinical Lab Assistant or comparable program.
• Immunization Requirements:
  • Prove immunity to Hepatitis B, or be immunized, or sign a waiver refusing Hepatitis immunization.
  • Provide documentation of a PPD test conducted not more than 90 days prior to date of hire, or have a PPD test conducted through TriCore.
  • In departments/locations with direct patient contact: Prove immunity or be eligible to receive rubella, rubeola, and varicella immunization.
• General Requirements:
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Good driving record. Must be insurable by lab insurance carrier as required by location.
  • Eligible to work in a health care facility as provided by 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. Selected candidates will be placed into CLA Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 based on the number of modalities completed on a regular basis. Assigned modalities are determined by department leadership.

Schedule

Monday-Friday 0800-1200 with other shifts as needed.

Benefits

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

TriCore is New Mexico’s largest laboratory, employing more than 1,400 individuals who serve in a broad range of positions. We are dedicated to improving the quality of care for our communities and our employees, fostering a culture of integrity and excellence.