CLINICAL LAB ASSISTANT - CASUAL

Independence Health System•Greensburg, PA

About The Position

The Clinical Lab Assistant supports technical staff with the preparation, processing, handling, and tracking of laboratory specimens. The role provides general laboratory support, including computer-system order entry, patient registration, and the procurement and handling of specimens and orders. Work may take place in the clinical laboratory, cytology, or microbiology. The position requires accurate specimen identification and data entry, timely accessioning and routing of specimens, and appropriate preparation and processing to preserve specimen integrity. The assistant also helps maintain efficient laboratory operations by organizing and stocking the work area, managing records and supplies, communicating with healthcare professionals, and following established technical policies and procedures. Training in breath alcohol and urine drug screening is to be initiated. Scheduling is based on operational needs and may involve rotating shifts, standby, or on-call assignments; local travel between system locations may be expected.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
Basic math and keyboard proficiency.
Basic working knowledge of computers and office equipment.
Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments.
Strong organizational skills, independent and critical-thinking skills, sound judgment, and leadership ability.
Ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Act 34 Pennsylvania State Police criminal record check.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a laboratory assistant.
Experience in laboratory specimen procurement and receiving, or enrollment in an appropriate clinical laboratory program.
Experience in a specimen-receiving position.
Experience as a phlebotomist.
Experience handling patient specimens.
College or technical-school experience with laboratory specimens.
Completion of core coursework in biological science or a related field.
Experience in a healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate competency in computer-system functions, ensuring accurate patient and specimen identification, data entry, transcription, order entry, and communication of information through the testing process.
Resolve questionable information promptly, monitor reports to track specimens and results, retrieve information efficiently, and maintain a general understanding of HIS-LIS information exchange.
Receive and conduct pre-analytic examination of patient specimens; verify specimen identification and laboratory orders; accession specimens and orders accurately; and label specimens according to departmental policy.
Maintain knowledge of specimen requirements and assess basic specimen integrity; forward specimens to the appropriate laboratory sections promptly.
Prepare and process laboratory specimens to preserve integrity through the pre-analytic and post-analytic phases.
Plan and use time effectively to support testing turnaround time; adapt to changing priorities and assist with office work, technical staff support, housekeeping, supply stocking, and other duties as needed.
Maintain operational readiness by organizing records and reports, distributing supplies and information, and keeping the work area organized, stocked, and clean.
Communicate with healthcare professionals to obtain or exchange information, explain specimen collection requirements, handle telephone communications courteously and confidentially, seek guidance on unusual requests, and obtain documentation to support workflow continuity.
Comply with established technical policies and procedures related to quality control, quality assurance, record retention, requisitions and orders, billing, biohazard waste management, safety, and specimen packaging and shipping.
Begin breath alcohol and urine drug screen training.
Perform other duties as assigned.