Lab Asst PRN Pool

About the role

The Lab Assistant position at NCH is a critical role within the laboratory department. This position is responsible for receiving and processing all incoming specimens, ensuring their safe handling, and delivering them to appropriate areas. Additionally, the Lab Assistant is expected to collect blood samples from various sources, answer phone calls, and provide accurate information to medical staff.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates skillful, courteous competency in procedures for blood sample collection, selecting the best equipment and site for the tests requested.
• Serves as an expert venipuncture resource for difficult sticks which can’t be drawn by nursing staff.
• Evaluates specimen integrity for samples collected by lab staff, nursing, or medical staff, knowing whether a specimen is acceptable for the test requested.
• Understands process and reasons for specimen rejection, demonstrating good customer service skills and confidence when advising patients, nurses and medical staff of news they do not want to hear.
• Answers 100% of phone calls coming into the laboratory, able to respond to over 50% of the requests personally.
• Communicates with patients, guests, medical staff, and other hospital staff in a courteous, professional and skillful manner.
• Uses phone system and other communication tools to transfer calls, take messages, and locate the proper person to take care of any problem which the individual can’t provide himself.
• Provides assistance to hospital employees regarding test orders, test synonyms, profile components and computer ordering processes utilized by nursing, unit secretaries and physicians.
• Resolves 'Unlisted Labs' with a high degree of accuracy.
• Handles specimens safely to maintain sterility and reduce cross contamination, our-off errors, and exposures.
• Proficiently uses multiple computer systems and reference resources including, Pathnet, Quest360, using accurate keyboarding and computer skills.
• Carefully performs duties, ensuring that specimens receive the proper testing required without being lost or compromised.
• Utilizes Powerchart to view orders, place orders, and investigate the status of samples.
• Completes collections on schedule to enhance physician and nursing satisfaction as well as patient care.
• Can accurately describe and demonstrate all methods of procurement of blood samples from hospital patients, using knowledge of blood collection devices, order of draw, techniques for venous, capillary, and heel stick collections, and cognizant of age specific needs and human anatomy.

Qualifications

• Experience in phlebotomy and/or clinical lab preferred.
• High School Diploma or GED Required.
• Excellent customer services skills, basic computer skills and ability to multitask are required.
• On-the-job-training provided as necessary.
• Intermediate computer knowledge: Uses Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Windows.