Lab Assistant I

Phelps Health is a 2000-employee-strong hospital and healthcare system serving the heart of small-town Missouri. No matter where you start with us, we’re committed to taking our team to the top.

About the role

The Laboratory Assistant I performs specific pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical tasks.

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 request and integrity of specimen collected.
• Generates labels and attaches them accurately to specimen/blood samples, always reviewing name on specimen with order or reprint.
• 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.
• Resolves any processing conflicts with orders, notifying unit of any necessary re-draws and arranging for re-collection.
• Prioritizes workload to assure priority of testing request is met.
• Performs microbiology setups when assigned to work the second or third shifts.
• Answers phone in specimen processing, relaying messages to the technologists or answering questions regarding status of testing.
• Output 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 and level of training to assess and care for patient’s age-specific needs.
• Collects chain of custody drug screens.
• Follows all guidelines for glucose tolerance testing including appropriate patient glucose dosage for test ordered.
• Researches orders for reference work, comparing with order to assure correct test was ordered.
• Reviews each specimen for proper type, volume required, storage requirements, and processing, and accessions accordingly.
• Inventories reference laboratory supplies and contacts the purchaser as needed for re-order; 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, inventories, and rotates stock as necessary to minimize wastage.
• Cleans equipment and small instruments, documenting 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.
• 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).
• Specimens collected accurately using correct order of draw and timely within stated guidelines; aware of collection volume limitations for pediatric patients.
• 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.
• Provides proper instructions to patients for urine collection and diet restrictions.
• Always strives to treat patients and co-workers with dignity and respect.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• One year experience as a phlebotomist or as lab assistant preferred.
• PBT (ASCP) certification preferred but not required.

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.