Medical Laboratory Assistant

About the role

The Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) registers, orders, and processes specimens from in-house draws and courier runs and assists clients from outside the laboratory with questions or problems. The MLA supports the workflow in the technical area of the laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Processes inpatient and outpatient specimens to maintain their integrity.
• Communicates with reference laboratories and navigates multiple reference laboratory websites to ensure proper collection, processing, transport, testing, and reporting of all referral testing.
• Maintains competency requirements and training timelines.
• Completes an in-depth sign off sheet related to processes and procedures performed by specimen processing.
• Prioritizes ordering, receiving, and processing of specimens for testing according to urgency of need and type of tests ordered.
• Navigates through multiple complex computer systems to meet testing requirements and maintain specimen integrity.
• Prioritizes specimen processing using the Lab Information System.
• Registers and orders testing as ordered by their physician and in compliance with system policies and procedures.
• Thinks critically, multitasks, and maintains accuracy during periods of frequent interruptions in a fast-paced environment.
• Supplies information to all clients and assists with any problems.
• Participates in the distribution of results via fax, phone, or delivery, as designated or as requested by clients.
• Maintains an outstanding list and call/fax list to provide timely reporting of results.
• Trains and mentors effectively using constructive feedback after meeting competency and experience requirements.
• Assists with the pre-analytical, appropriate parts of analytical, and post-analytical steps of laboratory testing.
• Performs maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• Maintains inventory and ordering of supplies for technical areas of the laboratory.
• Assists in department projects as needed.
• Provides excellent customer service by answering incoming calls, providing information about specimen requirements, ordering tests, and handling courier dispatch.
• Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.
• Supports Value Improvement Practice (VIP- Lean) principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.
• Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.
• Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.
• Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate.
• May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree, Associate’s degree, or participation in college-level science classes preferred.
• Licensure/Certification/Registration: N/A.
• Experience: Minimum one (1) year of paid customer service work experience. Preferred: Two (2) years lab experience.
• Computer training and medical terminology knowledge.