LABORATORY - MICROBIOLOGY LAB ASSISTANT

Duties And Responsibilities

• Knowledge of handling laboratory supplies, ordering supplies, and stocking supplies.
• Set up of all culture types to include gram stains.
• Answer phone calls, be able to read microbiology reports, and answer daily micro related questions.
• All media QC and inventory sheet documentation.
• Maintain all routine paperwork and documentation filing.
• Pull appropriate reports, binders, documentation monthly for Microbiology Technical Supervisor/Laboratory Director review.
• Check pending lists regularly, investigate and follow up on missing samples or incomplete tests.
• Incubator maintenance: cleaning, water pan, etc.
• Pull reports and put together monthly QA reports for supervisor review (gram stain TAT, aerobic isolates that take longer than 72 hrs, etc).
• Maintenance of all QC bacterial, fungal, and mycobacterial QC organisms (with the help of the supervisor establishing and maintaining a regular sub-culture schedule).
• All antibiotic disk inventory: monitor expiration dates, pull/replace appropriate discs for weekly QC, etc.
• Double check all manual charges for accuracy in the Microbiology department.
• Provide competent and quality clinical care to all patients.
• Adhere by staff to all policies and procedures to include the employee handbook.
• Provides age appropriate care.
• Reporting of patient and staff incidents through the occurrence report process.
• Maintaining effective working relationships between nursing, clerical, medical and allied health staff.
• Maintain strict quality control for procedures.
• Organize requisitions received for collection.
• Maintain records of tests performed, scan orders and lab results into electronic medical system, print and fax lab reports to ordering provider as needed.
• Provide excellent customer service on phone and in person to anyone that enters the laboratory.
• Perform miscellaneous tasks and other duties as deemed necessary that promote smooth operations.
• Help Medical Laboratory Scientists with tasks that ensure acceptable turnaround times are met.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or higher.
• Current BLS Certification.
• Valid driver’s license.
• 2 years of phlebotomy experience required.
• Experience with computers and office equipment, required.
• The ability to read and communicate (oral and written) effectively in English.
• Bilingual is a plus.
• Must understand medical terminology.
• General Math skills.
• Can frequently and consistently make sound judgments.
• Must be organized, multi-tasker, and a critical thinker.
• Good communication skills, and ability to work well with others.
• Team player and flexible.
• Can work well under pressure and meet multiple and competing deadlines.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Complete all tasks with minimal error and in a timely manner.