Clinical Laboratory Processor- Immediate Response Lab Main- Full Time-Days

Responsibilities

• 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
• Solves problems when needed
• Provides collection supplies to nursing units
• Manages flow of tube system
• Troubleshoots and performs routine maintenance on laboratory equipment
• Performs clerical, quality, and miscellaneous duties as needed

Core Pre-Analytical Processing

• Verifies specimens in a timely manner with minimal errors
• Preforms pre-analytic processing such as centrifuging samples, basic aliquoting as necessary with minimal errors
• Processes samples in a timely manner, giving highest priority to stat samples
• Distributes samples to the correct work area in a timely manner, ensuring that stat samples are separated from non-stat samples
• Performs daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance and performance checks on departmental equipment as assigned and performs other routine maintenance (housekeeping, safety, etc) in the department
• Creates a transit list and prepares samples for transit to reference labs
• Finds patient information using Patient Inquiry
• Utilizes Status Change to reprint labels or identify status related information
• Pulls transit list summary for samples and resolves outstanding issues
• Enters add on orders for nursing and phlebotomy staff

Special Processing Functions

• Ability to “walk in” outpatient sample orders in EPIC
• Microbiology Samples – ensures appropriate sample type has been collected, test is appropriately ordered and labeled, and resolves discrepancies before sending sample to reference lab
• 24 Hour Urine Samples – ensures volume for each sample is accurately measured and recorded; enters height and weight requirement as needed, prepares aliquot sample for in house or reference lab testing, ensures sufficient volume is provided; adjusts pH as required for testing, or adds necessary preservative materials.
• Fluid Samples – Ensures CSF samples are collection verified and delivered to the hematology bench for assessment of testing. Processes sample using proper protocols for in-house testing or transit to reference lab. Ensures Non –CSF fluids are assessed, properly aliquoted and delivered to the Hematology bench
• Special Coagulation samples – ensures appropriate samples have been collected; processes samples according to testing requirements (e.g., double centrifugation following special instructions); Stores in appropriate temperature environment. Handles miscellaneous test orders. Ensures specimen requirements for the test have been met by checking resources and processes appropriately

Communication and Training

• Answers laboratory phone(s) promptly, in a courteous manner, identifying oneself to the caller
• Handles phone requests with minimal call transfers
• Communicates staffing issues or delays with nursing staff in EPIC secure chat
• Performs training and provides feedback for new processors
• Affords assistance in problem resolution
• Ensures all required forms and requisitions are filled out properly
• Acts as liaison between phlebotomists and technologists as a processing subject matter expert
• Completes all required trainings by their due date

Technical, Instrumentation, and Clerical Duties

• Understands operation of the Automate front end processing unit
• Routinely performs scheduled maintenance
• Troubleshoots instrument issues, documents and escalates accordingly
• Manages and resolves “exception” samples that the instrument does not process
• Ensures compliance with the clinical laboratory Quality Management Program and assists in entering and answering Internal Quality Error (IQEs)
• Affords assistance in answering formal complaints from nursing staff
• Participates in policy review and communicates the need for required change
• Coordinates activities and prepares for regulatory inspections and audits
• Affords assistance in ensuring area is free of expired supplies
• Participates in inventory management and communicates any issues immediately with supply chain personnel
• Maintains currency in the field through participation in continuing education opportunities

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to read and comprehend written information required
• Ability to effectively and efficiently perform a variety of job duties in a stressful, fast paced environment is required
• Data entry skills required
• Superior time management, multitasking, planning and organization skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Critical thinking skills to support quality decision-making
• Working knowledge of basic computer applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel

Qualifications

• No specialized knowledge or skills are required to perform the position duties
• No special education is required for this position
• Minimum of one year of laboratory experience or six months experience as an Inpatient Phlebotomist at TCHHN is required
• Ability to read and comprehend written information required; ability to effectively and efficiently perform a variety of job duties in a stressful, fast paced environment is required; data entry skills required
• Superior time management, multitasking, planning and organization skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Critical thinking skills to support quality decision-making
• Working knowledge of basic computer applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel