Lab Assistant; FT, WEO, Nights

Job Title:  Laboratory Assistant; FT, WEO, Nights

Supervised by:  Chief Medical Technologist, Laboratory Manager

Job Summary: 

Responsible for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing various equipment, media and work areas in the Clinical Laboratory. Maintains Clinical Laboratory inventory and performs various plating of specimens and staining under the supervision of the Laboratory Manager. Participates in performance improvement activities.

Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas:

• Consistently draws blood competently and expediently with as little patient discomfort as possible.
• Records phlebotomy requisitions in logbook.
• Identifies the patient - comparing patient information on the requisition to the patient’s identification band before venipuncture is performed.
• Displays courteous, professional manner towards patients, co-workers, nursing and medical staff.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Labels and records all test tubes, logs procedures, files paperwork.
• Is knowledgeable about which color top tube to use and the volume of blood needed - knows test requirements.
• Follows Standard Precautions at all times.
• Disposes all sharps in a rigid sharps container.
• Cleans and supplies venipuncture trays. Maintains work areas. Orders supplies when needed.
• Requires minimal supervision in performance of job duties.
• Completes duties in a time efficient manner, knows how to prioritize STAT orders, ASAP orders, scheduled orders and outpatients.
• Seeks guidance and direction as necessary.
• Demonstrates the value of team concept on a consistent basis.
• Assists laboratory technician, does clerical work when needed.
• Follows policies and procedures for the Clinical Laboratory and the hospital.
• Performs routine and stat laboratory assays.
• Performs qualitative urine analysis; color, clarity, specific gravity.
• Demonstrates knowledge of expected lab results for the infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient. Makes Medical Technologist and/or Pathologist aware of abnormal results, panic values.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.
• Follows standard precautions at all times.
• Operates and maintains equipment correctly and safely, including calibration of instruments.
• Maintains quality results by running standards and controls; verifies equipment function through routine equipment maintenance and advanced troubleshooting; monitors quality control measures and protocols.
• Identifies the presence or quantity of drugs of abuse, therapeutic drugs and toxic substances by operating toxicology instrumentation and performing manual methods for the performance of drug screens, blood alcohol levels and carbon monoxide levels.
• Provides test results for patient diagnosis and treatment by operating chemistry equipment, performing hand chemistries.
• Operates hematology, urinalysis and coagulation equipment; performing manual methods of differentials.
• Operates equipment such as the gamma counter, spectrophotometer, densitometer, and through methods such as radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay and serological testing.
• Performs technical procedures for the identification or susceptibility of bacteria, parasites, fungi and mycobacteria.
• Uses hospital approved disinfectants for cleaning.
• Dries appropriate glassware in heating oven before storing in designated areas.
• Sterilizes bacteriology media and contaminated materials using the autoclave.
• Prepares liquid powder and crystalline chemicals to prepare stains, solutions and culture media following established formulas.
• Uses a simplified balance to weigh chemicals.
• Responsible for plating all cultures including fungus, acid fast and routine cultures on all specimens submitted to the Clinical Laboratory.
• Responsible for performing all routine stains on submitted specimens, including gram stains and Wright’s stains.
• Responsible for inventory in laboratory storeroom. Reports needed supplies to Medical Technologist.
• Initiates the meeting of responsibilities without prompting.
• Demonstrates the values of team concept on a consistent basis.
• Submits suggestions to improve the Clinical Laboratory’s efficiency.
• Interacts with other Clinical Laboratory staff in a professional manner.

Professional Requirements:

• Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains regulatory requirements.
• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
• Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
• Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.
• Completes in-services and returns in a timely fashion.
• Attends annual review and department in-services, as scheduled.
• Attends 12 staff meetings annually or reads and returns all staff meeting minutes.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
• Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
• Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.

Regulatory Requirements:

· High school graduate or equivalent.

· Certification as a medical technician preferred.

Language Skills:

· Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

· Additional languages preferred.

Skills:

· Basic computer knowledge required.

Physical Demands:

· Normal hospital environment. Exposure to biological hazards via venous punctures. Close eye work. Hearing within normal range. Oral communication with patients. Operates computer terminals and printers, centrifuges, lab refrigerator and freezers, and telephone. Continuous standing and walking. Lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds. Occasional pushing/pulling up to 40 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.