LAB ASSISTANT(FULL-TIME, MIDNIGHTS)

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a Lab Assistant to perform blood collection procedures, process laboratory specimens, and provide general support to the laboratory team. This role ensures accurate and timely laboratory results while maintaining patient safety and comfort.

Responsibilities

• Perform venipuncture and capillary punctures on patients of all ages, ensuring proper identification, labeling, and handling of blood specimens.
• Collect specimens by filling tubes to acceptable levels and utilizing correct order of draw; respond to specified codes and traumas for specimen collection.
• Prepare, process, and transport laboratory specimens according to established protocols, ensuring sample integrity and accuracy.
• Confirm special requirements for specimen acceptability before and/or after delivery to the laboratory; locate previously collected specimens for additional test requests.
• Prepare send-out specimens for reference laboratories.
• Provide excellent patient care, ensuring comfort and safety during blood collection; address patient concerns using AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank You) in every interaction.
• Adhere to all laboratory safety procedures, including proper use of PPE, infection prevention standards, and handling/disposal of biohazardous materials and chemicals.
• Complete all competency assessments at required intervals.
• Accurately enter patient and specimen information into the laboratory information system (LIS).
• Monitor and restock phlebotomy and laboratory supplies, ensuring availability and proper storage.
• Collaborate with the laboratory team to prioritize and coordinate specimen collection and processing; notify supervisor of unusual problems with specimens, patients, or provider orders.
• Assist with inspections (e.g., CAP, DNV) and maintain CAP compliance as directed by supervisor.
• Provide general administrative support, including filing, answering phones, sending/receiving faxes, and managing patient paperwork.
• Support training for new phlebotomy staff or students, sharing knowledge of blood collection techniques and safety practices.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance workflow, patient care, and laboratory efficiency.
• Demonstrate flexibility with assignments within professional scope, duties, and licensure.
• Perform venipuncture and capillary punctures at contracted facilities (e.g., nursing homes) and transport specimens back to the laboratory for processing.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of a phlebotomy training program required.
• Proficiency in venipuncture and capillary puncture techniques.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work well under pressure and maintain accuracy.
• Preferred: At least 1 year of phlebotomy experience, preferably in a healthcare or clinical setting.
• Preferred: Experience in a hospital clinical laboratory setting.
• Preferred: Knowledge of safety protocols and biohazard handling procedures.
• Preferred: Phlebotomy certification or 2 years of phlebotomy experience.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Work Environment

• Exposure: Continuous daily handling of blood and body fluids; very high potential for exposure to TB or airborne pathogens due to direct patient contact and infectious specimens.
• Chemicals: Acids, bases, formalin.
• Sensory Requirements:
  • Speech: Required for communication with coworkers, providers, clinical staff, and patients.
  • Vision: Required for computer operation, specimen collection, processing, and handling.
  • Smell: Required for electrical/fire safety.
  • Hearing: Required to listen to coworkers, customers, and patients.
  • Touch: Required for performing phlebotomy (e.g., feeling for vein location) and specimen processing.
• Activity/Lifting Requirements:
  • Sit: 5% of the workday (max consecutive time: 40 minutes).
  • Stand: 25% of the workday (max consecutive time: 120 minutes).
  • Walk: 35% of the workday (max consecutive time: 20 minutes).
  • Lift up to 10 lbs: Frequently.
  • Lift up to 20 lbs: Occasionally (e.g., stocking supplies, carrying up to 50 feet, lifting from floor to above shoulders).
  • Lift up to 35 lbs: Occasionally.
  • Repetitive hand use: Simple grasp (often), pushing/pulling (up to 3-50 lbs, often), fine manipulation (keyboard, needles, tube apparatus, heel sticks, inverting tubes).
• Environmental Factors:
  • Inside hours: 8.
  • Temperature: Normal range.
  • Lighting: Very bright.
  • Noise levels: Average.
  • Humidity: Normal range.
  • Atmosphere: Fumes, odors, dust.
• Special Hazards: Electrical, radiation (rare), chemical additives, powder in latex gloves, constant exposure to blood and body fluids.
• Protective Clothing Required: Gloves, lab coat, closed-toe shoes; occasional mask and goggles.

Schedule

• Rotating weekend and holiday shifts.

Pay

USD $18.83 - USD $23.00 per hour.

Benefits

• Compensation: Base pay within the position’s range based on qualifications, skills, experience, and training; premium pay for shift differential and on-call; annual increases based on performance.
• Paid Time Off: Programs for eligible employees (.5 to 1.0 FTE).
• Health and Welfare Benefits:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
  • Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Retirement: Defined contribution plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program: Available for eligible employees.
• Paid Leave Hours: Accrued as you work for employees (.001 to .49 FTE).