Hospital Lab Technician 1 - Part-Time Evenings

About the role

To receive, label, and process specimens received for analysis in the Clinical Laboratories, to input patient data into the computer, answer telephone inquiries regarding test information and results, and accession (enter) specimens.

Responsibilities

• Task A: Receiving

  • Greet individuals bringing specimens to the lab.
  • Input patient data into the computer systems.
  • Process work in the following order: STATs, Process Immediately, Routine Racks, Urine and Body Fluids, Research/Budget.
  • Receive and sort STAT, pre-op, or routine specimens coming to the Clinical Laboratories, whether from sources within UCSF or referred from external physicians or institutions, and whether directly chargeable for patient care or research purposes.
  • Check for proper patient identification on both specimen and requisition and for clear test requests (i.e., a valid, offered test).
  • Obtain and verify information and specimen collection requirements from Laboratory Manual, consulting supervisor, Laboratory Residents, or technologists only when information needed is not found in the Lab Manual or related readily available sources by laboratory policy, including but not limited to the Synonyms lists and monthly TL (Test Library) change memoranda.
  • Resolve any discrepancies or labeling problems by telephone, involving the laboratory Medicine sections or Resident as appropriate.
  • Place blood samples and requisitions in racks for computer entry and labeling, setting aside specimens requiring special processing or handling (including the issuance of temporary patient unit numbers) in individual cups for follow-up.
  • Process specimens referred from outside institutions only if they are accompanied by proper authorization form. If authorization is not available, process specimens to the point where the specimen may be safely held in a stable condition until the problem can be resolved – specimen quality must be maintained!

• Task B: Labeling

  • Label specimens with appropriate computer-generated labels.
  • Prepare pour-off vials for aliquoting, as necessary.
  • Verify correct computer entry of tests by checking orders on the labels against requisitions. In case of discrepancies, notify the floor supervisor or the ordering unit.
  • Flag specimens clearly to the analytical sections, facilitate sharing of specimens (e.g., between Chemistry and Hematology or between Hematology and Microbiology) when only a small sample has been submitted.
  • Initial requisition in the appropriate box upon completion of labeling.

• Task C: Separation and Aliquoting of Specimens other than Urine

  • Centrifuge specimens and separate cells and/or plasma where appropriate. Operate equipment properly and safely, balancing centrifuge loads using beam balance and setting the equipment to the correct speed.
  • Add buffers or preservatives to samples or carry out other special processing as required.
  • Aliquot the correct amounts of specimens into the appropriate cups, vials or tubes for testing.
  • Maintain a continuous flow of specimens for aliquoting by organizing your workload efficiently.
  • Provide the correct number of aliquots (tubes) for analysis and correctly label them with the proper sample number.
  • Determine whether the amount and quality of the specimen meets the requirements for testing. If our requirements are not met, communicate this fact to nursing units, physicians’ offices, or referring laboratories, noting the time and name of the person to whom you gave this message in the telephone log book. Then enter the appropriate test comment into the computer noting the problem and the action taken (usually a request for a new specimen). Note the problem on the requisition and file in the Problem folder to enter the comments.
  • Package specimens for send-out to Referral laboratory when assigned to that rotation or when the send-out person is not available.
  • File requisitions in bin for scanning.

• Task D: Aliquoting of Urine Collections

  • Verify the labels against the requisition to detect any entry errors, and alert floor supervisor of problems.
  • Check that the proper preservative was added to verify proper collection. Perform a quality control check on electronic scale and immediately report any discrepancy to supervisor before urine is processed. We employ the weight of the collection as an accurate substitute for urine volume. Pour the sample into one of our own containers if it has been collected in a nonstandard container. Zero (tare) the electronic scale with an empty collection container by pressing the grams button. Record the scale reading in grams as the urine volume in mL.
  • Aliquot urines into the proper tubes or containers.
  • Handle the specimen as directed by the lab manual instructions.
  • Initial requisition in appropriate “Aliquot” box upon completion of task.
  • Write Urine Volume and Hours of Collection on Urine Volume worksheet.
  • Review Volume/Hrs of Collection on worksheet on daily discard specimens more than 7 days old from storage refrigerator.
  • Resolve problem arising from improper handling of specimen; notify supervisor.

• Task E: STAT Processing

  • After computer entry sort STAT specimens with labels and transport them to the appropriate testing sections. Verify test ordered against requisition during the sorting of labels with specimens. Follow instructions (posted on label printer) for processing STAT and routine orders on the same specimen. Initial requisition upon completion of sorting task in the “label” box (actual labeling of STAT specimens is performed within the testing section).

• Task F: Responses to Inquiries/Communications

  • Communicate non-technical information (such as collection instructions and turnaround times, test results, etc.) obtained from the Laboratory Manual, the in- and out-patient price files, the laboratory computer and requisitions. Supervisor and technical staff should be consulted WHEN INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE in these sources. All communications and responses, whether in person or by telephone, should be given accurately and clearly in a professional and courteous manner as you would yourself wish to be treated. Keep in mind that everyone has the common goal of helping the patient.
  • Answer any telephone extensions in your work area in a timely manner if the need arises.

• Task G: Send-Outs

  • Process test sent out to a Referral (Send-Out, Outside) Laboratory when assigned that responsibility. Package specimens according to the instructions on the computer-generated label with the aid of the Laboratory Manual as needed. Give top priority to all drug and toxicology specimens so they are ready for the next scheduled courier pickup. Any test requiring prior approval must be referred to the laboratory resident before it is submitted to a Reference Laboratory, but it should be processed up to the point where it can be safely held (e.g., a specimen requiring immediate processing and approval should immediately be processed while awaiting a decision whether it will or will not be approved).

• Task H: Computer Usage

  • Use the basic computer functions (Sunquest GUI Order Entry, General Lab, Smart and Laboratory Inquiry) required to retrieve patient data and resolve specimen identification problems.

• Task I: Computer Crashes

  • Process specimens when the computer system is not functioning, following instructions in the written internal crash plan, processing specimens correctly without aid of computer labels and forwarding them to the proper testing sections, and writing patient/test information on all pour-off tubes.

Qualifications

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Skills

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Benefits

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Pay

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Schedule

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