Clinical Lab Assistant II

PathGroup•Nashville, TN

About The Position

The Clinical Lab Assistant II performs a variety of clinical laboratory functions, including data entry, specimen handling and preparation, centrifuging, pouring off specimens, preparing peripheral smears by automated methods, loading bar-coded specimens on analyzers, and supporting automated specimen sorting, decapping, aliquotting, and archiving. The role also assists Clinical Supervisors and Managers with day-to-day laboratory operations as needed. The position includes receiving and processing specimens, performing laboratory testing and pre- and post-analytic work, maintaining and troubleshooting automated lines, managing pending specimen and referral-testing lists, handling specialty specimens, and communicating with clients and other callers. It also involves routine clerical and documentation duties, maintaining laboratory safety, and following company compliance, privacy, security, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Strong aptitude for pattern recognition required.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite required.
Minimum of one year of previous job-related experience in a health care environment preferred.
Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Biology, Chemistry, or equivalent preferred.
Prior knowledge of laboratory testing and specimen processing preferred.
Minimum of one year of previous job-related experience in a health care environment preferred.
Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive department FastTrack specimens while meeting established productivity metrics.
Load and unload specimens on automated instrumentation in accordance with state guidelines.
Produce accurate and reliable data and interpret results for waived testing.
Maintain and troubleshoot automated lines in Hematology, Urines, Chemistry, and Microbiology.
Prepare samples and specimens, including inoculation.
Perform laboratory tests, including pre- and post-analytic phases.
Maintain clinical pending specimen logs to account for missing physical specimens and retrieve specimens identified through pending-log review.
Use specimen registration (accessioning) for department testing.
Handle specialty specimens by assembling specimen folders, printing labels, sorting samples by department, completing paperwork for add-on testing, and sending samples for reference testing.
Maintain and review pending lists and ensure referral testing turnaround-time requirements are met.
Collect information about client inquiries and complaints and communicate it to Client Services Representatives for follow-up and response.
Receive inbound calls from physicians, laboratories, nurses, clients, sales representatives, clinics, and hospitals; direct calls to appropriate personnel and communicate with clients as necessary.
Handle difficult calls tactfully, courteously, and professionally.
Perform routine clerical duties, including filing, faxing, inventorying departmental supplies, and receiving and distributing mail.
Accurately capture computer images using software.
Enter patient demographic information and imaging data as assigned.
Meet productivity expectations established by current departmental guidelines.
Transport and help organize documentation stored off-site; review retention times and dispose of documents when retention periods are met.
Follow laboratory safety precautions and procedures in laboratory manuals.
Perform responsibilities in alignment with industry security practices and regulatory guidelines to protect protected health information and other sensitive company data.
Follow the Corporate Compliance Program and all corporate policies, including Privacy and Security policies.
Work with other PathGroup departments and subsidiaries.
Perform other duties as assigned; management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities.