LABORATORY ASSISTANT

Job Details

Description

The Laboratory Assistant supports medical providers by performing a variety of laboratory procedures and tasks, including collecting blood and other body fluid specimens, processing and preparing samples for send-out, and maintaining quality assurance assessments using the Medical Laboratory Tool. This role requires collaboration with medical staff to ensure adherence to the department’s “Best Practice” standards.

Essential Job Duties

Clinical Duties

• Verifies patient by confirming two (2) patient identifiers (i.e. Name & Date of Birth).
• Performs clinical intake prior to lab procedures.
• Complete venipuncture questionnaire with patient prior to obtaining blood samples.
• Scan all venipuncture documents within 24 hours of blood draw.
• Verifies lab requisitions placed in Electronic Health Record (EHR) by providers.
• Identify and separate frozen orders from master requisition and create new accession (frozen) where applicable.
• Explain venipuncture procedure to patient.
• Select blood sample collection tubes and use in appropriate order of draw.
• Obtain blood sample(s) by performing venipunctures, fingersticks, heel sticks or PKUs on infants/newborn.
• Ensure accuracy of preprinted requisitions and labels prior to and post collections by PCAs/Medical Support staff.
• Ensure accurate labeling of all specimens delivered to the Lab by PCAs/Medical Support staff.
• Ensure PCAs/Support staff accurately identifiy collected specimens by clearly initialing all labels attached to tubes/containers.
• Ensure referring provider matches ordering provider.
• Ensure the application of venipuncture charges to system
• Maintain specimen integrity by using aseptic technique, following department procedures, observing isolation procedures.
• Confirm timely collection of specimens placed outside in after-hours boxes for Quest/LabCorp. Check boxes every morning.
• Performs all CLIA waived inhouse testing as requested by providers (With the exception of urine drug screens).
• Maintain credibility of inhouse waived testing result(s) by performing recommended quality controls
• Maintain quality results by following department protocol/procedures and accurately recording results in quality-control log;
• Scrub Lab schedule the day prior to lab appointments for patients falling within the recommended age group for “FIT Test”, offer and perform on their arrival.
• Introduce any seasonal vaccines, i.e., influenza to patients with lab appointment, then task assigned PCA for administration.
  
  

CLERICAL/ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

• Check Lab schedules to ensure Provider(s) order the day prior to patient(s) appointment
• Maintain inventory control of laboratory supplies & equipment
• Generate and resolve TNP/TIQ reports daily
• Check Laboratory inventory and discard expired items.
• Clean and maintain work area and all laboratory equipment and supplies
• Organize and prioritize work for timely completion
• Ensure updated calibration of all lab equipment
  
  

Quality Assurance/Compliance

• Ensures medical laboratory operations fully comply with Agency and HIPAA requirements.
• Maintain strict level of confidentiality relating to laboratory results and records
• Comply with professional standards, health center policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and JCAHO standards.
• Ensure online trainings are current as required (i.e. MyLearningPointe and other trainings).
• Assists supervisor in the training of new staff (peers).
• Ensure the timely submission of monthly QA assessments to Laboratory Compliance Manager.
  
  

Culture of Service: 3 C’s

Compassion

• Greets internal or external customers (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) with courtesy, making eye contact, responding with a proper tone and nonverbal language.
• Listens to the internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) attentively, reassuring and understanding of the request and providing appropriate options or resolutions.
  
  

Competency

• Provides services required by following established protocols and when needed, procure additional help to answer questions to ensure appropriate services are delivered
  
  

Commitment

• Takes initiative and anticipates internal or external customer needs by engaging them in the process and following up as needed
• Prioritize internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) requests to ensure the prompt and effective response is provided
  
  

Safety

Ensures proper handwashing according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Understands and appropriately acts upon the assigned role in Emergency Code System.

Understands and performs assigned roles in the organization’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).

Contact Responsibility

The responsibility for external contacts is frequent and important.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the following physical and sensory activities: constant standing, talking in person, talking on the phone, hearing/ visual acuity and exposure to blood borne pathogens and hazardous materials. Frequent, walking, sitting and bending. Work is performed in office and laboratory setting.

Other

Participates in health center developmental activities as requested.

Other duties as assigned.