Laboratory Assistant - Full Time - Days

At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care – a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It’s helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient’s needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.

About the role

To assist Specialists within the laboratory. Laboratory Assistant II receive specimens, enter specimen data to the computer system, prepare samples for further laboratory analysis, and transport specimen to other department of the laboratory. Perform specimen accessioning, splitting and sorting, labeling and storage of specimens received into the laboratory. Perform data entry to assign a specific computer generated identification number with accuracy and in a timely manner. Must be able to communicate with hospital and clinic staff regarding specimen requirements, ordering, and miscellaneous requests. Handle inbound customer contacts received by phone, electronically, in writing and in person. Follow-up with customers on issues that cannot be resolved immediately. Must be able to multi-task and work in a high-paced environment as part of a team.

Location: Nebraska Methodist Hospital, 8303 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE

Work Schedule: Mon–Fri 7:00 am–3:30 pm, flexible

Responsibilities

• Process (i.e. centrifuge, aliquot, distribute, store) patient specimens appropriately and in a safe manner to ensure accurate and timely test results by following section policies and procedures.
• Maintain compliance with established processes: turn‑around time expectations, etc., while collecting or handling specimens, orders and results.
• Accurately enter patient information (i.e. demographics, test orders, test results) in the computer to ensure timely reports to caregivers.
• Accurately perform and evaluate appropriateness on patient specimens.
• Prioritize and organize work to facilitate the timely and accurate completion of multiple tasks simultaneously by assessing the urgency of the tasks and the time required to complete them.
• Achieve section/organization quality goals.
• Comply with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines 100% of the time.
• Identify problems and initiate immediate follow‑up as necessary with the Technical Coordinator, Section Leader, or Medical Director(s) to ensure accurate, timely laboratory services by using critical thinking skills and decisive judgment.
• Accommodate patient and laboratory needs by professionally responding to requests for flexibility in duties, schedules, and staffing.
• Complete and document routine maintenance 100% of the time.
• Maintain section materials, supplies, and equipment by following section policies.
• Process send‑out specimens to provide accurate transfer of information and maintain optimal specimen integrity.
• Document orientation, training, and education to ensure employee competence, provide excellent services, and meet accreditation requirements by effective verbal or written communication.
• Complete organizational and department competencies 100% of the time.
• Read and understand new procedures and major procedure revisions.
• Assist in training new and existing staff including the review and completion of orientation checklists and skill/training checklists.
• Support the education of clinical/anatomical laboratory scientist students.
• Communicate efficiently by answering telephones, taking messages, calling clients for test clarification, and forwarding information or calls to appropriate staff.
• Demonstrate appropriate communication skills as directly observed by Service Leader or designee.
• Act upon phone calls promptly and handle them in a professional manner per the customer service protocol as directly observed.
• Bring issues of concern directly to the appropriate Service Leader or designee's attention as directly observed.

Schedule

Schedule will be flexible starting between 7:00 am and 8:00 am and end time 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. May require an occasional half day on Saturday.

Requirements

• Education: High School diploma, GED or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred. (High School diploma or equivalent required for CAP surveyors only). Two years of college science courses preferred.
• Experience: Two years relevant experience as a phlebotomist or specimen processor in a clinical/anatomical laboratory or physician office required, or certified as a Medical Laboratory Technician.
• License/Certifications: Current National certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) preferred.

Skills