Specimen Processing Technician

About the role

The Specimen Processing Technician is a position within the clinical laboratory and microbiology department responsible for managing specimens once they arrive in the department and handling multiple pre-analytical variables.

Responsibilities

• Creates Registration encounters, releases orders out of HIS when indicated; receives samples in LIS; prints barcode labels and affixes labels to specimens.
• Completes order entry functions or paperwork as required.
• Ensures proper container type, centrifugation, specimen sterility, and transport conditions for specimens.
• Ensures positive patient identification, correct specimen collection and handling/transport; performs specimen processing duties and prioritizes based on urgency.
• Prioritizes specimens based on clinical urgency.
• Performs specimen processing duties including but not limited to: aliquoting urine and body fluid samples, supply storage, Kanban supply, inventory monitoring and storing patient samples appropriately.
• In Microbiology, uses sterile techniques to handle, manipulate, and inoculate specimens on to culture media, including but not limited to determination of selecting the correct culture media based on specimen, order and protocols, sterile aliquoting, sonification and tissue grinding.
• Affords assistance in pathology specimen preservation, by adding formalin to specimens, and/or paging residents or providers as needed.
• Fields inquiries and communicates information in written and verbal formats. Answers the phone and provides customer service to internal and external customers following established standards.
• Consults Specimen Processing Coordinator, supervisor or lab leadership when appropriate. Assists other staff with processing questions or automation line issues.
• Affords assistance in training new hires, students, or medical students, if applicable.
• Disposes of bio-hazardous materials, chemical waste, sharps and other potentially hazardous materials according to policy and strictly adheres to safety and infection control procedures. Uses and wears PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as necessary to perform job duties safely and minimize risk.

Qualifications

• High School Graduate
• 6 months of experience in a clinical laboratory - working with biological specimens
• Completion of a Phlebotomy program
• 1 or more years of experience in specimen collection and processing.