Lab Assistant I | 0.9 FT

General Summary

The Laboratory Assistant I performs specific pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical tasks. Prioritizes incoming specimens and processes in accordance with department safety guidelines. Reviews pending logs, generates labels, and distributes specimens in a timely manner. Resolves processing conflicts and arranges for re-collection. Performs quality control and demonstrates appropriate skills based on scope of practice and level of training.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Prioritizes incoming specimens and processes in accordance with department safety guidelines.
• Reviews pending log during and at end of shift.
• Reviews orders received for accuracy of physician requests and integrity of specimen collected.
• Generates labels and attaches them accurately to specimen/blood samples, always reviewing names on specimens with orders or reprinting as needed.
• Distributes all specimens in a timely manner, notifying the performing technologist of any STAT, orders and processing them to achieve or exceed established turn-around times.
• Prioritizes workload to assure priority of testing request is met.
• Does microbiology setups when assigned to work the second or third shifts.
• Answers phone in specimen processing, relaying messages to technologists or answering questions regarding status of testing.
• Outputs meets normals as met by majority of peers.
• Performs all required quality control, notifying supervisor of any values that do not meet set criteria.
• Demonstrates appropriate skills and ability based on scope of practice, level of training to assess and care for patient’s age-specific needs.
• Collects chain of custody drug screens.
• Fulfills glucose tolerance testing guidelines appropriately, including patient glucose dosage for tests ordered.
• Researches orders for reference work, comparing with order to assure correct test was ordered.
• Reviews each specimen for proper type, volume required, and storage requirements and processes and accesses accordingly.
• Inventories reference laboratory supplies and contacts the purchaser as needed for re-order and maintains adequate stock at work stations.
• Daily reviews pending reference test list and resolves any problems with overdue or missing specimens.
• Generates batches for specimen pickup and reviews and receives batches from Outreach Laboratory.
• Maintains a neat and clean work area: stocks storage area with supplies and inventories and rotates stock as necessary to minimize wastage.
• Cleans equipment, and small instruments and documents this action.
• Receives orders from the storeroom and distributes to the various areas.
• Cleans outpatient contact areas.
• Cleans phlebotomy carts and trays routinely and ensures expired supplies are discarded.
• Prioritizes workload to assure priority of testing request is met.
• Collects adequate and correct specimens containing all necessary information with least amount of trauma to patients of varied ages via venipuncture, capillary puncture or arterial collections.
• Always follows protocol for collection (checking wrist band, asking patient’s name, verifying date of birth).
• Is aware of collection volume limitations for pediatric patients.
• Reviews pending log during and at end of shift.
• Reviews all Outpatient orders for completeness and accuracy and files completed orders in appropriate location.
• Blood culture contamination rate less than 3%.
• Enters all specimen comments as needed.
• Uses good Safety Practices and follows hand hygiene protocols.
• Demonstrates appropriate skills and ability based on scope of practice, level of training to assess and care for patient’s age-specific needs by providing proper instructions to patients for urine collection and diet restrictions.
• Always strives to treat patients and co-workers with dignity and respect.

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.

Work Experience

• One year experience as a phlebotomist or as lab assistant required.

Certification/License

• No required, PBT (ASCP) preferred.

Mental/Physical Requirements

• Close mental and visual attention required for short periods of time.
• 50% of time spent standing and walking throughout department and facility.
• Must be able to lift and/or carry up to 20 lbs.

Working Conditions

• Constant exposure to infectious material.
• Works in air-conditioned environment with moderate noise level.
• May be required to work any time of day.

Benefits

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