Clinical Lab Assistant - Urology - Full Time

Erlanger Health System•Chattanooga, TN

20h

About The Position

The Clinical Lab Assistant works in a clinical laboratory to distribute specimens, prepare test samples with testing personnel, perform infection-control processes, and assist with or perform and document laboratory maintenance and quality procedures. The role requires strong communication and computer skills, attention to detail, professionalism, accurate patient and specimen identification, timely sample distribution, and adherence to facility and departmental policies. The assistant is expected to communicate and document questions or problems honestly and thoroughly, prioritize work in a busy, high-stress environment, answer phones, and direct information to appropriate laboratory personnel. The position works closely with laboratory team members in a continuous quality improvement environment and may perform other duties assigned by the Coordinator or Managers. The assistant must demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served, including understanding growth and development across the lifespan and applying age-specific patient requirements in accordance with unit policies and procedures. Responsibilities vary by laboratory area. In Blood Bank, the assistant supports technologists and technicians, checks out products for patient administration, assists with preparation of certain blood products, tracks temperatures, performs quality-control procedures, orders and receives inventory, stocks items, and documents work. The role calls for accurate decisions under pressure and clear communication of patient-identification information to transporters. In Microbiology, the assistant receives, manages, processes, and distributes specimens for departmental or referral testing; identifies sample types and handling requirements; accesses testing information in computer systems; and routes molecular specimens to appropriate testing areas. Duties include operating the WASP specimen-processing instrument and blood-culture instruments, manually setting up cultures using appropriate inoculation techniques and media, preparing Gram stain and quality-control slides, operating the Previ Gram Stainer or staining slides manually, performing and documenting quality-assurance processes, checking temperatures and equipment safety, maintaining equipment, and managing media and WASP-supply inventory. In Referral Testing, the assistant manages the logistics of referral testing, including accurate patient-sample identification throughout receipt, labeling, shipping, and transcription; investigating and routing tests according to methodologies and requirements; maintaining specimen integrity during storage and shipping; obtaining hazardous-materials shipping training and certification arranged by the laboratory; complying with applicable regulatory requirements; and ordering and maintaining shipping supplies.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Excellent attention to detail.
Verbal and written communication skills.
Research and analysis skills.
Experience working with laboratory equipment.
Mathematics and measurement skills.
Knowledge of computer research and analysis programs.
Good teamwork skills.
Ability to keep detailed records.
Ability to prioritize workload in a busy, high-stress laboratory environment.
Ability to accurately identify patient information and communicate it clearly.
Willingness to read and follow facility and departmental policies and procedures.
Ability to obtain hazardous-materials shipping training and certification arranged within the laboratory.
Ability to comply with applicable laboratory regulatory requirements, including OSHA, DOT, and FDA requirements.
Ability to demonstrate knowledge of age-related growth and development and provide care appropriate to the ages of patients served.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor's degree in a biological science.
One to two years of experience in the 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 preparing test samples.
Perform infection-control processes and assist with or perform and document laboratory maintenance and quality procedures.
Accurately identify patient information on specimens and distribute samples in a timely manner.
Answer phones and direct calls and information to the appropriate laboratory personnel or contacts.
Prioritize workload and maintain laboratory documentation and records in a busy, high-stress environment.
In Blood Bank, support technologists and technicians; check out products for patient administration; assist with blood-product preparation; track temperatures; perform quality-control procedures; order and receive inventory; and stock items.
In Microbiology, receive, manage, process, and distribute samples for departmental or referral testing, including routing molecular specimens to appropriate testing areas.
In Microbiology, operate specimen-processing and blood-culture instruments; manually set up cultures using appropriate techniques and media; prepare Gram stain and quality-control slides; and operate the Previ Gram Stainer or stain slides manually.
In Microbiology, perform and document quality-assurance processes, temperature readings, safety checks, and equipment maintenance; rotate stock and conduct inventory counts.
In Referral Testing, manage referral-testing logistics, accurately identify samples during receipt, labeling, shipping, and transcription, investigate testing options, and route specimens to approved facilities.
Maintain specimen integrity during storage or shipping and comply with applicable OSHA, DOT, FDA, and other regulatory requirements.
Obtain hazardous-materials shipping training and certification arranged by the laboratory.
Order and maintain referral shipping-supply inventories.
Provide care appropriate to the ages and developmental needs of patients served, in accordance with unit policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Coordinator or Managers.