Clinical Lab Assistant I | Lab | Full Time

Tamarack Health Careers • Hayward, WI

9h • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Lab Assistant I is responsible for the procurement and preparation of blood specimens through various puncture methods, ensuring proper tube selection, patient preparation, and site care. This role involves accurate patient and specimen identification, order entry, specimen distribution, and collection of various sample types like swabs, urine, stool, and sputum. The assistant will process specimens according to test requirements, utilize the HIS and LIS systems, manage inventory, and prioritize workload. They will act as a customer service representative, handle client calls, resolve issues, and perform quality control and improvement procedures. Additionally, the role includes troubleshooting physician orders, collaborating with other lab personnel, editing specimen information, performing waived testing, data entry, and participating in proficiency testing and competencies. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent preferred.
• Certification as a Phlebotomist by a national accrediting agency preferred or other healthcare related license such as WI CNA license, EMT, or CMA license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Procurement and preparation of blood specimens by venipuncture, capillary and arterial puncture according to department standards.
• Proper tube selection with correct additives.
• Patient preparation.
• Puncture site care.
• Appropriate patient and specimen identification.
• Sorting, verification of specimen labeling, order entry and distribution, specimen retrieval.
• Proper collection of throat, nasal, and nasopharyngeal swabs.
• Proper instructions for urine, stool and sputum collections.
• Proper specimen processing based on test requirements.
• Appropriate use of the HIS and LIS.
• Manage supply inventory.
• Utilizes knowledge of laboratory procedures to prioritize work load and utilize situations such as combative patient and/or patients that are difficult to draw for various medical reasons.
• Act as a laboratory customer service representative.
• Performs processing functions to assure the integrity of specimens for testing.
• Assesses purpose of calls accurately and directs calls to appropriate personnel consistently.
• Is able to resolve problems with a high degree of accuracy within the scope of practice of the position description.
• Performs quality control, quality improvement, specimen tracking and maintenance procedures as required for shift responsibilities.
• Accurately documents client complaints and follow-up within a timely manner.
• Troubleshoots/researches physician orders to ensure accurate order entry of procedures requested.
• Works with other laboratory personnel to assure quality of specimens.
• Accurately edits specimen types and specimen events; accurately adds events, cancels duplicate orders, recollects specimens, and is knowledgeable of specific tests that cannot be added on and is aware of time limitations for certain add-ons. Knows where to find this information if needed.
• Perform waived testing as indicated and trained.
• Accurately enters data into hospital and laboratory computer systems.
• Successfully participates in all accreditation and other proficiency testing and annual performance competencies in each area as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED