What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lab Assistant position at Arkansas Surgical Hospital - Physician Owned?
Position Summary
The Phlebotomist, under indirect supervision and in a timely manner, accurately and precisely collects blood specimens. The phlebotomist will also transports blood fluids collected by the Nursing Staff as needed. Will assist Technologist with pathology and reference laboratory preparations for transport with all the necessary paperwork and procedures required. Assists in orientation of new laboratory phlebotomy personnel, promoting teamwork, positive attitude, initiative, and professionalism in keeping with the patient focused care mission of the hospital. On a daily basis, interacts and responds to patients, physicians, and fellow hospital staff in a professional manner, remembering that patient care is our first concern. Handles confidential information regarding patient records. Performs all work in accord to the mission, vision, and values of the Arkansas Surgical Hospital.
Work Schedule
The standard shift of the laboratory is 8.5 hours. The laboratory employee must be flexible with scheduling to assist with coverage of all shifts, weekends, and holidays as the laboratory or hospital needs demand.
Qualifications / Specifications
- Education: A High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Licensure/Certification: N/A
- Experience: Phlebotomy experience required
- Working Knowledge: Experience with phlebotomy, knowledge of specimen collection requirements, HIPPA Compliance knowledge, and patient safety knowledge required.
- Essential Technical/Motor Skills: Performs at a proficient level all tasks within the laboratory. Able to perform the necessary functions on the facility’s computer system.
- Interpersonal Skills: Must be able to interact and communicate in English, both orally and written, with all levels of staff, physicians, patients, and families in an effective manner, exhibiting tact, enthusiasm, and patience. Must be able to be sensitive to cultural and bilingual issues.
- Essential Physical Requirements: Requires full range of body motion including handling and lifting, manual and finger dexterity, and hand-eye coordination. Able to stand and walk for long periods of time. Able to lift and carry equipment and supplies of 25 lbs., pushing and pulling 50 lbs.
- Essential Cognitive Abilities: Requires good communication and organizational skills. Requires reasoning ability and good independent judgment. Requires working under stressful conditions and irregular hours. Requires working with frequent interruptions. Able to comprehend and interpret complex clinical subject matter related to the laboratory.
- Essential Sensory Requirements: Able to read, write, and understand English.
- Exposure to Hazards: Requires exposure to communicable diseases and potentially contaminated body fluids and hazardous materials. Possible risk of physical injury due to moving machinery and supplies. (Refer to Potential Laboratory Hazards Table)
- Age-Specific Criteria: Must demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skills necessary to provide care/services to the age of the patients served in the hospital facility. Must also possess the ability to assess data and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to their specific needs.
- Other: Understands the mission and vision of the hospital. Operates within the concept of patient- focused care. Evolves into an effective team member. Must adhere to dress code; good grooming and personal hygiene habits; and strict adherence to attendance policies. Maintains knowledge of and conforms to hospital policies and procedures.
Primary Duties
- Patient Care:
- Performs laboratory procedures in a timely manner, documents required information and communications of pertinent information to primary physician and direct care staff.
- Assists in the care of patients by providing timely, accurate, and precise patient testing results.
- Maintains professionalism towards patients. Informs and explains procedures to patients.
- Maintains confidentiality of all patient information.
- Applies the principles of Performance Improvement and works in a team environment to improve patient outcomes.
- Maintains satisfactory level of knowledge and skill in Age Specific Competencies for the appropriate patient population.
- Technical Activities:
- Performs laboratory procedures in accordance with established policies, procedures, and regulatory guidelines.
- Performs laboratory procedures in the appropriate time frame based on defined turn-around-times.
- Performs laboratory procedures accurately and precisely in accordance to established quality control policies pertinent to the procedure.
- Assists in the laboratory and organizational compliance with regulatory agencies as standards relate to the services and responsibilities of the laboratory including infection control and safety.
- As assigned, assists with the maintenance of the Point-of-Care (POC) testing program for the facility.
- Performs and documents required quality control and instrument maintenance procedures according to established policies, procedures, and regulations to assure accurate, reliable results.
- Staff/Unit Responsibilities:
- Uses resources in an efficient and cost effective manner.
- Assists in the management of inventory control
- Participates in peer review.
- Participates in training of staff and affiliated students.
- Maintains and develops own professional competencies.
- Maintains and promotes a team spirit through active cooperation and collaboration.
- Actively participates in the Performance Improvement and Utilization Review programs.
- Adheres to all safety guidelines, such as Chemical Hygiene Plan and Standard Precautions/Exposure Control Plan.
- Assists in all aspects of care of the environment, such as safety, housekeeping, infection control, and supply and equipment management.
- Attends 80% of in-services and department meetings.
- Compliance:
- Attends annual hospital compliance training.
- Complies with all laboratory and hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory agency rules, guidelines, and regulations.
- Uses ethical judgment in potential patient billing issues.
- General Duties:
- Perform other duties as necessary and/or assigned.
- Accept laboratory and/or hospital committee positions as assigned.
- Assist with the staff training and quality control maintenance of the Point-of-Care (POC) testing program for the hospital as assigned.
Working Conditions/Environmental Exposures
Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, and risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals.