Laboratory Assistant (Per Diem)

About the Role

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant functions as an overall assistant to the department, providing technical and non-technical support, quality improvement, quality concerns, service recovery, specimen collection, and LIS order entry. This position assists in training phlebotomy staff on waived lab procedures and backs up the histology lead tech for processing histology specimens.

Responsibilities

• Maintains Standing order file and sends yearly update standing order questionnaires.
• Assists in quality improvement/Press Ganey projects and initiatives and helps follow up on quality concerns submitted by other departments.
• Performs service recovery by continuously researching and identifying solutions for improved customer care.
• Communicates corrective measures with patients and/or providers in collaboration with manager or lead tech when necessary.
• Reviews fax numbers for outside physicians and initiates corrections as needed.
• Ensures adequate supplies for blood/specimen collection and that areas are well stocked.
• Verifies the identity of the patient being drawn and labels all specimens properly.
• Demonstrates age-specific knowledge for procedures being performed.
• Collects STAT and Urgent specimens within the established time frames.
• Uses Laboratory Information System (LIS), Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel appropriately and efficiently.
• Collects 99% of blood and urine samples, correctly identifies patients, transports specimens, and accessions specimens into the Laboratory Information System (LIS).
• Corrects charges and Dates of Service when necessary or as requested by the billing department.
• Follows up with providers to clarify questionable orders.
• Answers the telephone and provides technical and non-technical support to all laboratory personnel.
• Is trained in the Histology area as a backup for Histology Lead.
• Keeps Histology charges, logs, and send-out specimens in order as a backup for Histology tech.
• Procures specimens from off-site facilities as needed.
• Is trained in chain of custody pre-employment specimen collection.
• Ensures and maintains proper inventories of supplies.
• Fulfills supply orders from outlying clinics in a timely fashion.
• Keeps an orderly and well-maintained work area stocked with necessary supplies.
• Manages time effectively to ensure deadlines are met and personal priorities support organizational objectives.
• Performs other duties as requested.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.
• Adheres to facility Values, Service Excellence, or Standards of Excellence.

Requirements

• High School Graduate or equivalent GED; Associate Degree preferred.
• Must be BLS certified.
• Minimum of one-year experience as a phlebotomist.

Skills

• Proficient in use of Laboratory Information Systems, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word.
• Proficient in medical terminology.
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.

About the Organization

North Country Healthcare (NHC) is a non-profit affiliation of four medical facilities: Androscoggin Valley Hospital, North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, and Weeks Medical Center, located in the White Mountains Region of New Hampshire. NCH includes numerous physicians and medical providers at multiple locations. This leading comprehensive healthcare network employs hundreds of highly-trained individuals and delivers integrated patient care through three community hospitals, specialty clinics, and home health and hospice services. NCH remains committed to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.