Laboratory Assistant

Responsibilities

• Accurately records and conveys all telephone messages to the appropriate person.
• Answers the telephone promptly (within 4 rings).
• Presents a helpful attitude at all times.
• Maintains a high level awareness of customer importance and continually seeks to satisfy customer needs.
• Understands and appropriately utilizes all phone features such as: call forwarding, busy-call back feature, and intercom.
• Trips calls appropriately; accurately determines the need of the caller, attempts to meet customer’s needs as appropriate whenever possible without forwarding the call.
• Ensures that there is someone to answer the phones at all times.
• Able to look up specimen reports on the computer given the patient’s name or unit number.
• Accurately identifies the patient by matching the patient’s name, unit number, date of birth, age, address, and social security number.
• Correctly updates/enters demographics as needed.
• Correctly enters/updates patient insurance information, adhering to rules regarding primary and secondary insurances.
• Correctly enters names of attending and non-attending Providers.
• Correctly enters diagnoses.
• Correctly enters the date and time of service.
• Adheres to all compliance policies while performing patient registration.
• Correctly transcribes the registration number onto the lab requisition or other documents as needed.
• Correctly identifies and labels patient samples.
• Accurately transmits information into computer and onto worksheets/log books.
• Consistently and accurately documents all problems relating to specimen collection, handling and integrity as required by department.
• Performs phlebotomy on both adults and pediatrics with less than a 10% “miss” rate.
• Understands and follows phlebotomy policies and practices good aseptic technique when performing phlebotomy.
• Labels all collected specimens accurately according to the Laboratory Specimen Labeling Policy with 0% error rate.
• Appropriately selects proper collection device to accommodate the needs of the patient.
• Utilizes safety device needles during all phlebotomies and practices proper disposal for all “sharps” and biohazard waste.
• Wears proper protective equipment for all specimen collection procedures.
• Understands and adheres to special Infection Control Isolation policies and procedures.
• Achieves/contributes to high customer satisfaction scores.
• Has no customer complaints.
• Properly instructs patients in the collection of specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Accurately performs specimen collection to include but not be exclusive of the following: Venipuncture, Capillary collection, Bleeding times, Urine Collection.
• Responds to all requests for patient blood collections in a timely manner.
• Accurately transcribes data from requisitions to the computer.
• Accurately verifies and matches all specimens with requisitions/orders to ensure accurate receipt and processing.
• Correctly identifies all specimen labeling errors and follows the laboratory policies and procedures for correct handling.
• Consistently notifies providers of all specimen problems in a timely manner.
• Documents all problems and notifications in the computer as required.
• Accurately delivers all specimens/labels/requisitions to the appropriate department.
• Properly stores all specimens according to test specific requirements so as to preserve the integrity of the specimen.
• Ensures that all specimens are transported in a timely manner according to department and specimen requirements.
• Appropriately prioritizes STAT specimen orders and processes them in a timely manner.
• Accurately processes the collection batch by receiving, editing and canceling specimens appropriately.
• Consistently processes ‘Add-On’ requests in a timely manner.
• Properly handles all “Site Batches” received from other sites.
• Demonstrates thorough understanding of quality control protocol.
• Ensures that all quality control criteria are met during the performance of assigned technical work.
• Immediately reports all quality control problems to the supervisor before proceeding.
• Performs all quality control tests as per department guidelines adhering to frequency requirements and standards for quality control performance.
• Accurately performs assigned technical work under the direct supervision of the department supervisor or designee.
• Uses micro sampling techniques for pediatric and elderly patients when appropriate and possible.
• Consistently adheres to department guidelines for provider notification of STATs, critical and corrected values.
• Consistently completes all occurrence screens as required by the department.
• Performs all assigned duties in an accurate and timely manner.
• Transports supplies from the laboratory storeroom areas to the work station area.
• Will unpack supplies when received and appropriately label them with received date.
• Stays current with updates in procedures and is familiar with the contents of procedure and policy manuals.
• Readily performs other tasks as assigned or directed.
• Accurately completes the appropriate reference lab test requisitions, including all required information.
• Accurately logs all patient lab tests into the appropriate log book.
• Accurately enters all patient test results.
• Consistently adheres to department guidelines for all test result verification procedures.
• Accurately files and maintains all reference lab test results in the designated report storage place.
• Accurately distributes all reports to the appropriate designated places.
• Accurately and consistently pulls and reviews the “Outstanding Specimen Report” at required intervals.
• Does appropriate follow-up to ensure that all specimens are accounted for and any problems are resolved within allowable time limits.
• Accurately and efficiently gathers materials and required reports for conferences.
• Pulls computer searches, lists reports as appropriate and gets all required slides.
• Keeps work area clean; keeps paperwork and specimens in designated areas.
• Presents a neat and orderly appearance for all visitors to the Department.
• Keeps work area adequately stocked.
• Reports all low inventory situations to the supervisor in a timely manner and according to department protocol.
• Cares for and maintains equipment as required/directed.
• Notifies supervisor of equipment failure.
• Checks all reagents for outdates prior to use and labels all reagents with received, opened and expiration dates as required.
• Demonstrates good organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Appropriately prioritizes work to maximize the efficiency of the Department.
• Maintains organized file system to ensure ready retrieval of requested information.
• S 1 Keeps work area disinfected by washing surfaces with appropriate disinfectant at frequent intervals.
• Understands and applies principles in the Laboratory Bloodborne Pathogen Control Plan.
• Adheres to Universal Precautions at all times.
• Understands and applies principles in the Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• Uses appropriate safety attire and devices according to guidelines.
• Demonstrates adequate knowledge of disaster responses and all other laboratory and CHA safety policies.
• Demonstrates adequate competency in response to fire drills, chemical spill drills, infectious spill drills.
• Has no failed drills.
• Successfully completes Annual Review Training in Safety & Risk Management within designated time period.
• Maintains a good working relationship with all fellow employees within the department and from other departments.
• Participates daily in the team effort to efficiently complete all required department work within the appropriate time interval.
• Actively participates in committees/task force team meetings as assigned.
• Attends and participates in all required department meetings, reads minutes and completes assigned follow-up tasks within required deadline.
• Demonstrate an adequate understanding of the “mail sorting” procedure and accurately mails all reports to the appropriate location/provider.

Qualifications

To succeed in this role, you should have:

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in a clinical laboratory setting preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Basic computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and procedures.
• Understanding of infection control and safety protocols.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.