Clinical Laboratory Processor

About the role

Completes high volume preanalytical sample processing for clinical hospital laboratory, ensures samples are loaded on the line when applicable or hand received when needed, delivers specimens to appropriate lab bench when needed, researches sample status, places samples on transit lists to other laboratories, answers laboratory phones, problem solves when needed, provides collection supplies to nursing units, manages flow of tube system, troubleshoots and performs routine maintenance on laboratory equipment, and performs clerical, quality, and miscellaneous duties as needed.

Responsibilities

• Performs core pre‑analytical processing: verifies specimens in a timely manner with minimal errors; centrifuges samples, performs basic aliquoting as necessary; prioritizes stat samples.
• Distributes samples to the correct work area, separating stat from non‑stat samples.
• Creates transit lists and prepares samples for transit to reference laboratories.
• Finds patient information using Patient Inquiry and utilizes Status Change to reprint labels or identify status‑related information.
• Enters add‑on orders for nursing and phlebotomy staff.
• Handles special processing functions:
  • Walk‑in outpatient sample orders in EPIC – verifies appropriate sample type, test ordering, labeling, and resolves discrepancies.
  • 24‑hour urine samples – measures volume, records height/weight, prepares aliquots, adjusts pH, adds preservatives as needed.
  • Fluid samples – verifies CSF collection, delivers to hematology bench; processes non‑CSF fluids, aliquots, and delivers appropriately.
  • Special coagulation samples – ensures proper collection, performs double centrifugation per instructions, stores at appropriate temperature.
  • Miscellaneous test orders – confirms specimen requirements and processes accordingly.
• Assists in collection and processing of bone marrow specimens.
• Communication and training:
  • Answers laboratory phones promptly and courteously.
  • Handles phone requests with minimal transfers.
  • Communicates staffing issues or delays with nursing staff via EPIC secure chat.
  • Provides training and feedback for new processors.
  • Assists co‑workers in problem resolution.
  • Acts as liaison between phlebotomists and technologists as a processing subject‑matter expert.
  • Ensures all required forms and requisitions are completed correctly.
• Technical, instrumentation, and clerical duties:
  • Operates the Automate front‑end processing unit.
  • Performs scheduled maintenance and routine troubleshooting; documents and escalates instrument issues.
  • Manages and resolves “exception” samples that the instrument cannot process.
  • Ensures compliance with the clinical laboratory Quality Management Program; enters and answers Internal Quality Errors (IQEs).
  • Assists Quality leadership with formal complaints from nursing staff.
  • Participates in policy review and communicates needed changes.
  • Coordinates activities and prepares for regulatory inspections and audits.
  • Maintains a supply area free of expired items and participates in inventory management, communicating issues to supply chain.
  • Maintains currency through continuing education opportunities.
  • Utilizes basic Microsoft Office applications.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s or associate degree in science preferred but not required.
• Experience: Minimum of one year of laboratory experience or six months as an Inpatient Phlebotomist at TCHHN.
• Required skills and knowledge:
  • Ability to read and comprehend written information.
  • Ability to perform a variety of duties in a stressful, fast‑paced environment.
  • Data entry skills.
  • Superior time management, multitasking, planning, and organization.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication.
  • Critical thinking for quality decision‑making.
  • Working knowledge of basic computer applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.