Lab Assistant

Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas:

Provide services to patients of all ages within compliance regulations.  Communicate appropriately with the public, visitors, physicians, patients and other employees, including courteous, professional telephone etiquette.  Coordinates and performs various laboratory testing at different levels of complexity in a prompt manner within CLIA guidelines.  Evaluates specimens and data for use in diagnosis and treatment of disease states.  Evaluates samples for integrity, validity of results, recollections, instrument functions, reagent reactivity and investigating any discrepancy with documentation for resolution including QC, calibration as needed, loading reagents, inventory, utilizes computer for ordering, logging and resulting lab results.  Maintain an orderly work flow in an accurate manner within the required quality control program to ensure quality patient care in a “high-touch” manner.  Performs clerical duties, charting, processes specimens for reference labs, tracking and packing of specimens.  Contact nursing service of recollections and take clinic specimens to obtain out- patient for hospital number and or pre-admit for main lab employees.  Order supplies from reference labs.  Operate copier, typing for department, audits, sorts, files, lists and logs.  Executes and documents QC program and proficiency testing with interpretations reporting to Charge Tech/Supervisor.  Maintains knowledge and skills through continuing education and on job training.  Reports immediate needs to charge tech or supervisor concerning analyzers in designated areas with any problems.  Observes all safety guidelines in compliance with safe work practices.  Communicates with departments, providers and other areas of need.

 

B.  Education/regulatory Requirements:

 

Laboratory Assistant Level 1- High School graduate or equivalent- May perform waived or moderate complexity testing according to CLIA regulations after training and found competent in laboratory area of testing. 

 

Laboratory Assistant Level 2- Doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, associate’s degree, high school graduated or equivalent training in laboratory science, chemical or biological science and /or obtaining a degree chemical or biological science, according to CLIA regulations after training and found competent, may perform waived or moderate complexity testing.  Degree in Laboratory Science and/or clinical laboratory training program and/or have 3 months experience in each specialty of high complexity testing may perform all three levels or testing.

 

A.  Professional Requirements- Level 1 & Level 2:  

• Process, file, sort & chart reports and forms.  Typing as required.

• Receives, Collects, logs, bar-code, and transport specimens to appropriate work areas.
• Order and activates orders.
• Notifies nursing service of recollections and reprints request to floors.
• Answers telephone.
• Accurate computer data entry, including downtime orders, results, and acknowledgments.
• Checks specimens brought to lab, bar-code, log, and take to appropriate work area.
• Processes specimens for reference lab, packing, and recording.
• Order supplies from LabCorp and restocks areas in drawing stations and lab.
• Notifies charge tech of lab supplies that needs ordering.
• Takes specimens to out-patient for hospital number (Main Laboratory)
• Pre-regs specimen, active or order ordered tests.
• Assist nursing service, doctors, clinics, etc. in locating lab work, ordering and results.   

      Ensures specimen labeling.  Fills out reportable events and other reporting as needed.

• Make copies or sends through Cerner test results for physicians, patient, or other hospital                 areas.
• Takes specimens to patient upon request, i.e., gallbladder stones ( Main Laboratory)
• Must be able to use computer systems.
• Maintain copier, fax, phone and computer. (Main Laboratory)
• Must use excellent communication skills.
• Fax or sends reports to providers.
• Reports any problems to charge tech or supervisor.
• Processes reference lab send outs.
• Helps in training new personnel.
• Performs, documents and reports qualitative and quantitative laboratory tests in a prompt manner including internal and external proficiency testing and quality control.
• Follows all policies, procedures, and practices required by this facility.
•  

 

Level 1 and 2:

 

• Performs waived and moderate complexity testing after training is completed.
• Calibrates and performs QC for Hematology, Chemistry and Immuno-Chemistry.
• Performs instrument startups in Hematology, Chemistry, Immuno-Chemistry and UA.
• Performs maintenance on Hematology, UA and Chemistry instruments
• Centrifuge specimens and processes specimens in Hematology and Chemistry.  
• Perform urinalysis dip stix on reader.

• Makes manual diff slides, stains and QC of staining.
• Sets up Microbiology cultures
• Checks worklist for all areas
• Checks Labcorp worklist
• Calls Recollects
• Operate, troubleshoots, perform electronic checks and preventive maintenance on analyzers in designated area, documenting as required and obtain service as needed.
• Calls critical results

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.  Language Skills:

• Ability to read and communicate effectively in English.

D.  Skills:

• See above.

E.    Specific Age Groups Served:

• All age groups.

F.  Exposure Classifications:

• Classification I:  Jobs in which required tasks routinely involve a potential for mucous membranes or skin contact with blood, body fluids, tissues, or potential skills or splashes.  Use of appropriate measures is required for every healthcare provider in these jobs.

 

 

ORGANIZATION:       

 

 

       LABORATORY DIRECTOR

 

                                                           Supervisor/ Charge Tech

 

                                      

                                                                                                                   

 

 

              MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST/MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST

                                         MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN 

 

 

 

                                                        Laboratory Assistant