Clinical Lab Assistant-Baroness Lab-Full-Time

Erlanger Health System • Chattanooga, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant works within the laboratory to distribute specimens, assist testing personnel with the preparation of test samples, perform infection control processes, and assist with and perform/record maintenance and/or quality procedures. The role requires strong communication skills, professionalism, attention to detail, and proficiency with multiple IT programs. The assistant must accurately identify patient information on specimens and distribute samples in a timely manner, adhering to all facility and departmental policies and procedures. The Clinical Lab Assistant must have the integrity and willingness to communicate and document appropriately when questions or problems arise.

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant in Blood Bank supports Technologists/Technicians, making quick and accurate decisions under pressure. Responsibilities include checking out products for patient administration, requiring acute eyesight and clear articulation for patient identification. The CLA must speak politely and professionally, direct phone calls appropriately, assist with blood product preparation, order and receive inventory, put away stock items, and perform quality procedures as directed.

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant in Microbiology receives, manages, processes, and distributes samples. This includes knowledge of sample types and handling, operating the computer system, distributing molecular specimens, and operating instrumentation like the WalkAway Specimen Processing (WASP) instrument and blood culture instruments. The CLA must manually set up cultures, prepare gram stain slides, set up quality control slides, operate the Biomerieux Previ Gram Stainer, perform and document quality assurance processes, and stock inventory.

The Clinical Lab Assistant in Referral Testing routes specimens for referral testing, managing the logistic process. This involves accurately identifying patient samples throughout receiving, labeling, shipping, and transcribing. The CLA must understand testing methodologies for appropriate routing, investigate testing options, and follow laboratory requirements to protect specimen integrity. Training and Certification in Hazardous Materials Shipping is required, along with adherence to regulatory requirements (OSHA, DOT, FDA). Ordering and maintaining shipping supply inventories is also a responsibility.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Excellent attention to detail
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Research and analysis skills
• Experience working with lab equipment
• Mathematic and measurement skills
• Knowledge of computer research and analysis programs
• Good teamwork skills
• Ability to keep detailed records
• Strong ability to prioritize workload
• Knowledge of lab quality regulations
• Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served

Nice To Haves

• AS or BS in a biological science
• 1 to 2 years of experience working in the Referrals, Blood Bank or Microbiology sections of clinical lab or other laboratory experience
• Medical Lab Assistant Certification(ASCP)

Responsibilities

• Distribute specimens
• Assist testing personnel with the preparation of test samples
• Perform infection control processes
• Perform and record maintenance and/or quality procedures
• Communicate professionally with inter-departmental personnel, physicians, clinicians, and nursing staff
• Accurately identify patient information on specimens
• Appropriately distribute samples in a timely manner
• Adhere to all facility and departmental policies and procedures
• Communicate and document appropriately when questions or problems arise
• Check out blood products for administration to patients (Blood Bank)
• Speak clearly to articulate accurate patient identification information to transporters (Blood Bank)
• Speak to clients and coworkers in a polite and professional manner (Blood Bank)
• Direct phone calls appropriately (Blood Bank)
• Assist with the preparation of certain blood products (Blood Bank)
• Order inventory as directed (Blood Bank)
• Receive inventory into the computer (Blood Bank)
• Put away stock items (Blood Bank)
• Perform quality procedures as directed (Blood Bank)
• Receive, manage, process, and distribute samples for testing (Microbiology)
• Operate within the computer system to access information for testing (Microbiology)
• Distribute molecular specimens to appropriate testing areas (Microbiology)
• Operate instrumentation in the Microbiology Department, such as the WalkAway Specimen Processing (WASP) instrument and blood culture instruments (Microbiology)
• Manually set up cultures utilizing appropriate technique and proper media (Microbiology)
• Prepare gram stain slides and set up quality control slides (Microbiology)
• Operate the Biomerieux Previ Gram Stainer (Microbiology)
• Perform and document quality assurance processes as assigned (Microbiology)
• Stock inventory and perform inventory counts (Microbiology)
• Route specimens for referral testing (Referral Testing)
• Manage all aspects of the logistic process for testing (Referral Testing)
• Positively identify patient samples accurately throughout the process (Referral Testing)
• Understand differences in testing methodologies to ensure appropriate routing (Referral Testing)
• Properly investigate testing options (Referral Testing)
• Follow specific laboratory requirements to protect the integrity of the specimen (Referral Testing)
• Obtain training and Certification in Hazardous Materials Shipping (Referral Testing)
• Adhere to all regulatory requirements of OSHA, DOT, FDA and other agencies as applicable (Referral Testing)
• Order and maintain shipping supply inventories (Referral Testing)
• Answer phones and disseminate information to other laboratory personnel
• Prioritize workload
• Maintain and manage laboratory documentation and recordkeeping
• Work closely with team members in an atmosphere of continuous quality improvement
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Coordinator or Managers
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served
• Check out products for administration to the patient (Blood Bank)
• Perform temperature tracking (Blood Bank)
• Perform quality control procedures (Blood Bank)
• Perform product preparation (Blood Bank)
• Perform culture preparation (Microbiology)
• Operate automated equipment (Microbiology)
• Rotation of stock (Microbiology)
• Completion of inventory counts (Microbiology)
• Quality assurance equipment checks (Microbiology)
• Preparation and routing of patient samples to approved testing facilities (Referral Testing)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees