Clinical Lab Assistant-Full-Time

Erlanger Health System•Chattanooga, TN

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant works within the laboratory to distribute specimens; assist testing personnel with preparing test samples; perform infection control processes; and assist with or perform and document maintenance and quality procedures. The role requires strong communication and computer skills, professionalism, attention to detail, accurate patient and specimen identification, timely sample distribution, and adherence to facility and departmental policies. The assistant is expected to communicate and document honestly and thoroughly when questions or problems arise. Depending on the assigned department, the Clinical Lab Assistant supports Blood Bank, Microbiology, or Referral Testing operations. Blood Bank duties include supporting technologists and technicians, checking out products for patient administration, preparing certain blood products, maintaining inventory, and performing and documenting quality procedures. Microbiology duties include receiving, processing, managing, and distributing specimens; setting up cultures and gram stain slides; operating departmental instruments; and completing quality assurance and inventory tasks. Referral Testing duties include identifying, labeling, routing, and shipping samples to approved testing facilities while preserving specimen integrity and following applicable regulatory requirements. The role operates in a busy, high-stress laboratory environment, involves answering and directing phone calls, and requires prioritizing work and maintaining detailed records. Other duties may be assigned by the Coordinator or Managers.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and professional conduct.
Excellent attention to detail and accurate patient and specimen identification.
Strong computer skills, including the ability to use multiple IT programs and platforms.
Ability to prioritize workload and make quick, accurate decisions in high-pressure situations.
Ability to keep detailed records and knowledge of laboratory quality regulations and documentation requirements.
Research and analysis skills, mathematic and measurement skills, and knowledge of computer research and analysis programs.
Experience working with laboratory equipment.
Teamwork skills and willingness to read and adhere to facility and departmental policies and procedures.
For Blood Bank duties, acute eyesight and the ability to speak clearly to convey accurate patient identification information to transporters.
For Microbiology duties, knowledge of specimen types and handling requirements; ability to operate departmental instrumentation; and ability to manually set up cultures using appropriate technique and media.
For Referral Testing duties, ability to manage testing logistics, understand differences in testing methodologies, investigate testing options, and protect specimen integrity during storage and shipping.
Willingness and ability to obtain Hazardous Materials Shipping training and certification, arranged within the laboratory.
Adherence to applicable OSHA, DOT, FDA, and other regulatory requirements.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge of growth and development across the life span and interpret patient information to identify age-specific care requirements.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in a biological science.
One to two years of experience in Referrals, Blood Bank, or Microbiology sections of a clinical laboratory, or other laboratory experience.
Medical Lab Assistant Certification (ASCP).

Responsibilities

Distribute specimens and assist testing personnel with test-sample preparation.
Perform infection control processes and assist with or perform laboratory maintenance and quality procedures, documenting work appropriately.
Accurately identify patient information on specimens and distribute samples in a timely manner.
Communicate professionally with laboratory personnel, physicians, clinicians, nursing staff, clients, coworkers, and transporters; answer and route phone calls appropriately.
In Blood Bank, support technologists and technicians; check out products for patient administration; assist with blood product preparation; order and receive inventory; stock supplies; and perform and document quality procedures and temperature tracking.
In Microbiology, receive, manage, process, and distribute specimens, including routing molecular specimens to appropriate testing areas and referral laboratories.
In Microbiology, manually set up cultures using appropriate technique and media; prepare gram stain and quality control slides; operate the Previ Gram Stainer and stain slides manually as needed.
In Microbiology, operate the WASP specimen processing instrument and blood culture instruments, and perform and document quality assurance checks, temperature readings, safety checks, and equipment maintenance.
In Microbiology, stock inventory and conduct counts of media and WASP supplies as assigned.
In Referral Testing, positively identify samples throughout receiving, labeling, shipping, and transcription; investigate and route testing according to testing methodologies and options.
In Referral Testing, preserve specimen integrity during storage and shipping, follow applicable regulatory requirements, and order and maintain shipping supplies.
Prioritize workload, maintain laboratory documentation and records, and work with team members in a continuous quality improvement environment.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate care based on patient growth, development, status, and needs.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Coordinator or Managers.