Lab Assistant

Hourly Wage Estimate: $13.00 - $17.55 / hour. Factors that may determine your actual salary include your specific skills, years of experience, and comparison to other employees in this role.

About the role

At LewisGale Medical Center, you come first. HCA Healthcare has committed up to $300 million in programs to support our incredible team members over the course of three years. We give patients access to trained physicians and advanced technology. Our 500+ bed hospital is one of the leading acute care facilities in the Salem area, specializing in heart and vascular care, orthopedics and spine care, mental and behavioral health services, and cancer care.

Responsibilities

• Ensures accurate specimen processing to maintain specimen integrity.
• Performs registration procedures accurately and efficiently to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Performs various clerical duties and communicates effectively to optimize job performance and foster working relationships.

Computer/Clerical

• Demonstrates efficient keyboarding and computer skills.
• Compares patient information on requisitions with specimens received/processed to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Accurately enters all patient demographics, testing requests, and special instructions from the requisition into the computer.
• Accurately interprets physician’s orders and seeks clarification when needed.
• Processes drop-off orders from outside agencies.
• Orders and restocks supplies as needed; may be required to lift heavy objects.

Problem Solving

• Demonstrates the ability to solve problems and recognize errors.
• Refers unsolvable problems to appropriate personnel.
• Identifies and corrects errors on requisition slips to ensure accurate results and reporting.
• Assesses situations from multiple perspectives, considers alternatives, and chooses appropriate courses of action.
• Adjusts workload for STAT orders, drop-offs, admissions, outpatient walk-ins, and timed tests.
• Evaluates and solves problems related to specimen collection and processing.

Communication/Patient Service

• Practices proper telephone etiquette and answers inquiries regarding tests, referring questions to appropriate departments.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Adheres to lab dress code, including wearing a lab coat and gloves.
• Communicates with patients in a professional and courteous manner.
• Displays a helpful attitude in resolving client/department problems.
• Acknowledges patients waiting for lab work if unable to assist immediately.

Work Ethic/Professionalism

• Demonstrates a complete understanding of all tasks; needs no reminding.
• Promotes teamwork in the department.
• Completes all work during the shift without sacrificing quality.
• Demonstrates flexibility and dependability in modifying work schedule or location as required.
• Arrives to work on time, begins work promptly, and is available until the end of the shift.
• Returns to work on time from breaks and lunches.
• Follows Lab, CAP, HIPAA, Infection Control, and Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Fosters a positive work environment.

Lab Aide Position Specific

• Knows policies, procedures, and practices necessary to perform specimen processing duties.
• Prepares specimens for testing, distributes specimens accordingly, noting special requirements and prioritizing delivery.
• Evaluates specimen acceptability for testing.
• Makes decisions and establishes priorities for specimen processing based on established policies and procedures.
• Works independently with limited supervision.
• Processes potentially infectious specimens for testing.
• Understands patient registration functions as they relate to referred lab specimens.
• Performs registration procedures accurately and efficiently to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrates initial and annual competency in specimen processing, including all computer-related functions.

Non-Essential Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned or as judgment or necessity dictates.

Requirements

• Ability to review and understand department and hospital manuals and procedures.
• Clerical perception, attention to detail, and finger dexterity required to rapidly and accurately transcribe data from requisitions to the computer ordering system.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Benefits

LewisGale Medical Center offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career, and retirement of our colleagues. Available plans and programs include:

• Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health, and telemedicine services.
• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services.
• Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage, and leaves of absence.
• Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support, and financial wellbeing counseling.
• Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships, and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing.
• Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection, and consumer discounts.

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.