Lab Assistant, PRN

Job Summary

Responsible for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing various equipment, media and work areas in the Clinical Laboratory. Maintains Clinical Laboratory inventory and performs various plating of specimens and staining under the supervision of the Laboratory Manager. Participates in performance improvement activities.

Duties

• Consistently draws blood competently and expediently with as little patient discomfort as possible.
• Records phlebotomy requisitions in logbook.
• Identifies the patient - compares patient information on the requisition to the patient’s identification band before venipuncture is performed.
• Displays courteous, professional manner towards patients, co-workers, nursing and medical staff.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Labels and records all test tubes, logs procedures, files paperwork.
• Follows Standard Precautions at all times.
• Disposes all sharps in a rigid sharps container.
• Cleans and supplies venipuncture trays. Maintains work areas.
• Orders supplies when needed.
• Completes duties in a time efficient manner, knows how to prioritize STAT orders, ASAP orders, scheduled orders and outpatients.
• Sets up and operates equipment correctly and safely, including calibration of instruments.
• Maintains quality results by running standards and controls; verifies equipment function through routine equipment maintenance and advanced troubleshooting; monitors quality control measures and protocols.
• Identifies the presence or quantity of drugs of abuse, therapeutic drugs and toxic substances by operating toxicology instrumentation and performing manual methods for the performance of drug screens, blood alcohol levels and carbon monoxide levels.
• Provides test results for patient diagnosis and treatment by operating chemistry equipment, performing hand chemistries.
• Operates hematology, urinalysis and coagulation equipment; performing manual methods of differentials.
• Operates equipment such as the gamma counter, spectrophotometer, densitometer, and through methods such as radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay and serological testing.
• Performs technical procedures for the identification or susceptibility of bacteria, parasites, fungi and mycobacteria.
• Uses hospital approved disinfectants for cleaning.
• Dries appropriate glassware in heating oven before storing in designated areas.
• Sterilizes bacteriology media and contaminated materials using the autoclave.
• Prepares liquid powder and crystalline chemicals to prepare stains, solutions and culture media following established formulas.
• Uses a simplified balance to weigh chemicals.
• Plates all cultures including fungus, acid fast and routine cultures on all specimens submitted to the Clinical Laboratory.
• Performs all routine stains on submitted specimens, including gram stains and Wright’s stains.
• Reports needed supplies to Medical Technologist.
• Initiates the meeting of responsibilities without prompting.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Certification as a medical technician preferred.
• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Basic computer knowledge required.
• Normal hospital environment.
• Exposure to biological hazards via venous punctures.
• Close eye work.
• Hearing within normal range.
• Oral communication with patients.
• Operates computer terminals and printers, centrifuges, lab refrigerator and freezers, and telephone.
• Continuous standing and walking.
• Lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds.
• Pushing/pulling up to 40 pounds.