Lab Aide

About the Role

Under the general supervision of the Laboratory Supervisor in conjunction with the Manager of Laboratory Services, this position is responsible for assisting in the overall operations of the Clinical Laboratory to promote efficient, high-quality outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the Laboratory Quality Control (QC), Quality Assurance (QA), and Quality Improvement (QI) policies and projects.
• Performs CLIA-waived testing in accordance with regulations and department best practices as trained and deemed competent.
• Performs pre-analytical sample processing within the Chemistry, Hematology, and Microbiology sections as trained and deemed competent.
• Maintains competency as required by CLIA regulations and Laboratory policy.
• Ensures quality of care by adhering to hospital and Laboratory policies and procedures.

Clerical Duties

• Performs Outpatient Laboratory Registrations, including new patient profiles, consent to treat, insurance verification, and diagnosis/ICD-10 entry.
• Performs Physician Laboratory order review for completeness and medical necessity.
• Performs electronic and/or manual order entry and reviews any ABNs with patients.
• Prepares, distributes, stores, and retrieves Laboratory reports.
• Processes Reference Laboratory results/reports.
• Manages phlebotomy/clerical supply inventory and maintains appropriate supply levels.

Specimen Collection and Processing

• Obtains patient samples in accordance with regulations and best practices.
• Provides age-appropriate instructions to patients for optimal specimen collection.
• Ensures proper sample labeling, including two unique identifiers.
• Performs appropriate sample processing based on requested tests, including sample quality assessment, centrifugation, separation, and proper storage.
• Performs Reference Laboratory procedures for clinical and anatomical samples, including sample processing, ordering, and sending out samples.

Phlebotomy

• Performs venipuncture in accordance with regulations and best practices.
• Performs capillary blood collection in accordance with regulations and best practices.
• Performs venipuncture and capillary collections using age-appropriate techniques.
• Provides information to patients within the scope of practice, referring technical questions to the appropriate supervisor, manager, medical director, or patient’s physician.

Organizational Expectations

• Attendance: Comes to work daily, on time, and completes scheduled shifts.
• HIPAA: Facilitates maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Internal Communication: Contributes to positive team performance and a culture of service excellence through effective communication, active listening, and respect.
• Interpersonal Relationships: Maintains appropriate relationships with staff, patients, and visitors; works as a team member with other departments.
• Safety: Practices workplace safety daily.
• Employee Engagement: Actively participates in hospital Service Excellence initiatives and trainings; attends and participates in at least 50% of department staff meetings and reviews 100% of meeting minutes; completes all required annual education on or before the due date.

Skills and Abilities

• Minimal physical effort required, with occasional light lifting to a maximum of 25 pounds; stooping; and picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working primarily with fingers.
• Ability to effectively manage considerable mental stress.
• Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and convey information clearly and accurately.
• Familiarity with computers and other business machines.

Qualifications

• Proof of high school graduation or equivalent.
• Graduate of an accredited Phlebotomy, Clinical Assistant (CA), or Medical Assistant (MA) program or equivalent.
• PBT(ASCP) or MLA(ASCP) certification preferred.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required.