Laboratory Assistant

About the role

Willamette Valley Medical Center is a 60-bed acute-care, full-service facility, fully accredited by The Joint Commission and certified as an accredited Chest Pain Center by ACC Accreditation Services, the accrediting arm of the American College of Cardiology. We also provide a host of other services including the Joint Replacement Institute, a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient Surgical Services, a Family Birthing Center, Endoscopy, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Cardio Pulmonary Services, Therapy Services, and Oncology services through H.R. Hoover MD Cancer Center. Located in McMinnville, Oregon amid the rolling vineyards of the Willamette Valley, midway between Portland and the coast in Yamhill County. The city offers award-winning restaurants, a world-class aviation museum, unique art galleries, beautiful public parks, and fun-filled community events.

Responsibilities

• Performs venipuncture and specimen collection/processing
• Completes chain-of-custody collections and breath alcohol testing as required
• Supports order entry and clerical workflows
• Answers laboratory phones and provides customer service
• Assists with inventory of phlebotomy supplies
• Reviews providers' orders, quick-registers patients when needed, and enters appropriate laboratory tests per requisition
• Verifies patient identity using two patient identifiers prior to all collections
• Obtains blood specimens via venipuncture, finger stick, or heel stick; collects urine, throat, and nasal specimens per policy
• Labels specimens with at least two identifiers plus date/time and collector initials; ensures specimen integrity and proper handling/transport
• Performs chain-of-custody urine drug screen collections and breath alcohol testing per policy
• Coordinates therapeutic drug-monitoring collections with nursing to align dose and draw time
• Resolves unusual/unclear test orders by contacting the ordering provider, pathologist, nursing station, or reference lab; escalates unresolved issues to the supervisor
• Processes specimens and distributes to appropriate internal lab sections or ships to reference laboratories according to policy
• Maintains par levels and assists with weekly departmental inventory of supplies
• Participates in performance improvement and required education; performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

High School Diploma required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits: multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees
• Financial protection & PTO: life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off
• Financial & career growth: higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match
• Employee well-being: mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs)
• Professional development: ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities