Laboratory Assistant Specimen Processing Afternoon Shift

WVU Medicine

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Performs a variety of basic laboratory functions including specimen processing, blood collection, customer service, and data entry procedures in support of the hospital's mission of patient care.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Ability to walk quickly and be on feet for entire eight-hour shift.
Work requires lifting, moving, loading or carrying materials weighing twenty to forty pounds, positioning patients; climbing ladders, and the same.

Nice To Haves

Previous exposure or experience in a scientific and/or laboratory setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs, in a timely manner, specimen processing and blood collections using established laboratory guidelines designed to obtain acceptable specimens used in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to meet the needs of patients, as requested by the physician.
Follows standard operating procedures to process all specimen types to produce accurate results.
Operates laboratory equipment (e.g., centrifuges, timers, computer system, tube transport system), consistent with standard operating procedures.
Restocks, as required, the work area of needed supplies to assist co‑workers in the performance of their duties.
Logs in and stores specimens for laboratories not currently associated with the laboratory computer and specimens, which will be used at a later date.
Processes and prepares specimens (using appropriate preservatives such as acids, bases, etc., as needed) and requisitions which are to be sent to a reference laboratory.
Promptly prepares (e.g., centrifuges and aliquots, etc.) specimens and delivers into laboratories.
Follow standard operating procedures to collect blood and urine specimens from all patients, (e.g. outpatient clinics, psychiatric hospital, and walk-ins, etc.), regardless of diagnosis or age.
Examines and accepts only patient specimens for testing that are properly identified, collected, and labeled in accordance with established laboratory policies.
Must demonstrate, after receiving instruction and training, knowledge of the patient care requirements for all age groups as required by the laboratory standard operating procedures.
Utilizes time, materials, and resources in an economical manner, prioritizing and arranging workloads to provide for optimal patient care and efficiency.
Minimizes waste of time, materials, and resources.
Promptly collects and processes patient specimens, to reduce wastage, unnecessary requests for additional specimens, and undue delays in result reporting, in accordance with the standard operating procedure.
Completes assigned specimen processing and collection within established time frames by adjusting organization of workload (e.g., daily monitoring, turnaround time studies).
Performs required quality assurance and quality control procedures on a predetermined schedule and ascertain the integrity of patient specimens to assure timely accurate reproductive test result insuring quality patient care.
Performs routine maintenance and quality control checks as directed by laboratory standard operating procedures within the predetermined time schedule, recognizing errors and responding in an appropriate manner.
Analyzes written, verbal, and electronic orders for completeness and accuracy and takes heed of potential problems as they arise.
Completes patient and quality control records legibly and accurately as detailed in the standard operating policies, (e.g., review of records, logs).
Consistently and promptly processes, 100% of the time, problem specimens per established laboratory policies.
Requests input and direction as needed from supervisory personnel regarding, medical, technical, and quality assurance problems.
Initiates effective communication with the laboratory sections, administrative office, personnel, patients, and other departments as necessary to assure identification of problems and provide problem resolution to support the hospital's mission of patient care.
Communicates all appropriate information to patients and/or public necessary for their understanding of the procedure before and after designated procedure.
Answers the telephone in a prompt and courteous manner, identifying self and unit.
Responds appropriately to inside and outside customers, applying customer service skills (e.g., minimal holds, diffusing angry customers, transfers, etc.).
Keeps current in all communication (e.g., circulated material, staff minutes, mailboxes, e-mails and procedures) incorporating new information into routine use and providing "one stop shopping" principles to customers.
Effectively communicates in a timely manner any unusual supply usage or critical supply levels to the supervisor to expedite ordering of required supplies for the continued needs of patients.
Recognizes and refers to supervision, and nursing or medical staff as appropriate, any technical problems or unusual patient occurrences.
Contacts patient care units promptly for resubmission of improperly collected or labeled patient specimens where necessary, in order to expedite accurate test results in a timely manner.
Contacts patient care units or medical staff promptly for clarification of unclear or incomplete test requisitions/orders; requesting new requisitions/orders in accordance with established laboratory policies.
Performs data handling and clerical duties to help assure efficient running of the laboratory in support of the hospital's missions.
Promptly and accurately completes computer entry of all requested laboratory tests, accepting only patient specimens that are properly labeled and requisitions that are properly completed, in accordance with established laboratory policies.
Assists hospital personnel in obtaining laboratory results and/or appropriately referring such personnel to the appropriate area or laboratory.
Monitors laboratory computer system for malfunctions involving, order entry, patient admissions, discharges, transfers, result reporting, etc., assuring prompt notification to LIS/IT personnel.
Assists laboratory computer personnel or other hospital personnel with handling of any malfunctions involving the laboratory computer system, in a timely manner.
Sorts and prepares patient reports for distribution, as needed, in a timely and accurate manner.
Analyzes and evaluates orders for completeness, or potential problems in order to provide optimal laboratory services.
Participates in educational endeavors of the institution to meet the current and future needs of the specimen processing, laboratory, hospital, and phlebotomy service, and the university in support of the hospital's mission of patient care, teaching, and research.
Participates, as required, in the instruction, guidance, and evaluation of residents and students of the School of Medicine Medical Technology Program and other health care professionals, as established by laboratory polices, (e.g., laboratory objectives, evaluation forms).
Displays initiative and responsibility for self-development by attending in services and impromptu consultations, as dictated by individual needs and the needs of the laboratory.
Participates, as required, in the training, guidance and evaluation of new employees, as established by laboratory policies (e.g., section training checklist).