Clinical Lab Assistant - Urology - Full Time

Erlanger Health System • Chattanooga, TN

5h • 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 computer proficiency. 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. They must also possess the integrity and willingness to communicate and document issues thoroughly and honestly.

Specific responsibilities vary by department:

In Blood Bank, the CLA supports Technologists/Technicians, makes quick decisions under pressure, checks out products for administration, and requires acute eyesight and clear articulation for patient identification. They also handle phone calls professionally, assist with blood product preparation, order and receive inventory, stock items, and perform quality procedures.

In Microbiology, the CLA receives, manages, processes, and distributes samples. They must understand sample handling requirements, operate the computer system, distribute molecular specimens, and operate instrumentation like the WalkAway Specimen Processing (WASP) instrument and blood culture instruments. They perform manual culture setups, prepare gram stain slides, operate the Biomerieux Previ Gram Stainer, perform quality assurance processes, stock inventory, and perform inventory counts.

In Referral Testing, the CLA routes specimens for referral testing, manages the logistics process, positively identifies patient samples throughout the process, understands testing methodologies for appropriate routing, investigates testing options, and follows laboratory requirements to protect specimen integrity. They must be willing to obtain Hazardous Materials Shipping training and certification and adhere to regulatory requirements (OSHA, DOT, FDA). They also order and maintain shipping supply inventories.

The Clinical Lab Assistant works in a high-stress, busy laboratory environment, answers phones, disseminates information, prioritizes workload, and possesses knowledge of lab quality regulations. They maintain laboratory documentation and recordkeeping, working closely with team members in an atmosphere of continuous quality improvement. Other duties may be assigned. The CLA must demonstrate the knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate patient care, understanding growth and development principles and assessing patient status based on age-specific needs.

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 in his or her assigned department
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span
• Ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's policies and procedures

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
• Read and adhere to all facility and departmental policies and procedures
• Communicate and document appropriately when questions or problems arise
• Provide support to Technologists/Technicians in the Blood Bank department
• Make quick and accurate decisions under high pressure situations in Blood Bank
• Check out products for administration to patients in Blood Bank
• Speak clearly to articulate accurate patient identification information to transporters
• Speak to clients and coworkers in a polite and professional manner
• Direct phone calls appropriately
• Assist with the preparation of certain blood products in Blood Bank
• Order inventory as directed in Blood Bank
• Receive inventory into the computer in Blood Bank
• Put away stock items in Blood Bank
• Perform quality procedures as directed in Blood Bank
• Accurately document relative information in Blood Bank
• Receive, manage, process, and distribute samples for testing in Microbiology
• Operate within the computer system to access information for testing in Microbiology
• Distribute molecular specimens to appropriate testing areas in Microbiology
• Operate instrumentation in the Microbiology Department, such as the WalkAway Specimen Processing (WASP) instrument and blood culture instruments
• Manually set up cultures utilizing appropriate technique (streaking inoculation) and proper media for all sample types received in Microbiology
• Prepare gram stain slides and set up quality control slides in Microbiology
• Operate the Biomerieux Previ Gram Stainer in Microbiology
• Stain gram stain slides manually in Microbiology
• Perform and document quality assurance processes as assigned in Microbiology
• Read and document temperatures in Microbiology
• Perform safety checks in Microbiology
• Perform maintenance on equipment or instrumentation in Microbiology
• Stock inventory in Microbiology
• Perform inventory counts on media and WASP supplies in Microbiology
• Route specimens for referral testing
• Manage all aspects of the logistic process for testing appropriately in Referral Testing
• Positively identify patient samples accurately throughout the process of receiving, labeling, shipping, and transcribing in Referral Testing
• Understand differences in testing methodologies to ensure appropriate routing of testing in Referral Testing
• Properly investigate testing options in Referral Testing
• Follow specific laboratory requirements to protect the integrity of the specimen during the entire process of storing or shipping in Referral Testing
• Obtain training and Certification in Hazardous Materials Shipping
• Adhere to all regulatory requirements of OSHA, DOT, FDA and other agencies as applicable in Referral Testing
• Order and maintain shipping supply inventories in Referral Testing
• Answer phones and disseminate information to other laboratory personnel
• Prioritize workload
• Possess knowledge of lab quality regulations
• 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
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span
• Assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his or her age specific needs
• Provide the care needed as described in the unit's policies and procedures
• Perform temperature tracking in Blood Bank
• Perform quality control procedures in Blood Bank
• Perform product preparation in Blood Bank
• Perform culture preparation in Microbiology
• Operate automated equipment in Microbiology
• Rotation of stock in Microbiology
• Completion of inventory counts in Microbiology
• Quality assurance equipment checks in Microbiology
• Preparation and routing of patient samples to approved testing facilities in Referrals

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