Clinical Lab Assistant, Full-time, Days, Lab, EWCH, Murphy, NC

Erlanger Health System•Murphy, NC

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 perform and appropriately 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. They must also possess the integrity to communicate and document issues thoroughly and honestly. In Microbiology, the assistant receives, manages, processes, and distributes samples for testing. They must understand sample types and handling requirements, operate the computer system for testing information, and distribute molecular specimens. After training, they can perform waived tests like molecular ID NOW and manually set up cultures using appropriate techniques and media. In Referral Testing, the assistant routes specimens for referral testing, managing the entire logistic process. This includes accurately identifying patient samples throughout receiving, labeling, shipping, and transcribing. They must be willing to undergo training and certification in Hazardous Materials Shipping and adhere to regulatory requirements (OSHA, DOT, FDA). Ordering and maintaining shipping supply inventories is also a responsibility. The Clinical Lab Assistant may be required to drive to outside Nursing Homes for specimen collections, ensuring proper patient identification and collection techniques. This requires maintaining current auto insurance. The Clinical Lab Assistant works in a high-stress, busy laboratory environment, answering phones and disseminating information. They must have a strong ability to prioritize workload, possess knowledge of lab quality regulations, and manage laboratory documentation and recordkeeping. They work closely with team members in an atmosphere of continuous quality improvement and perform other duties as assigned. The assistant 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. Specific departmental responsibilities include: In Blood Bank: Checking out products for administration, temperature tracking, quality control, and product preparation. In Microbiology: Culture preparation, operating automated equipment, stock rotation, inventory counts, and quality assurance equipment checks. In Referrals: Preparation and routing of patient samples to approved testing facilities.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Strong communication skills
Strong computer skills with the ability to maneuver multiple IT programs and platforms
Ability to accurately identify patient information on specimens
Willingness to read and adhere to all facility and departmental policies and procedures
Meticulous attention to detail
Integrity and willingness to honestly and thoroughly communicate and document appropriately when questions or problems arise
Knowledge of sample types received and appropriate handling requirements (Microbiology)
Ability to operate within the computer system to access information for testing (Microbiology)
Ability to manually set up cultures utilizing appropriate technique (streaking inoculation) and proper media for all sample types received (Microbiology)
Willingness and ability to obtain training and Certification in Hazardous Materials Shipping
Adherence to all regulatory requirements of OSHA, DOT, FDA and other agencies as applicable (Referral Testing)
Ability to maintain proper Identification of the patient before collections and proper collection techniques
Maintain current auto insurance coverage
Excellent attention to detail
Verbal and written communication skills
Research and analysis skills
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
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span
Possess the 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
Responsible for temperature tracking, quality control procedures and product preparation (Blood Bank)
Responsible for culture preparation, the operation of automated equipment, rotation of stock, completion of inventory counts and quality assurance equipment checks (Microbiology)
Responsible for the preparation and routing of patient samples to approved testing facilities (Referrals)

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)
Experience working with lab equipment
Experience in an atmosphere of continuous quality improvement

Responsibilities

Distribute specimens within the laboratory.
Assist testing personnel with the preparation of test samples.
Perform infection control processes.
Perform and record maintenance and/or quality procedures.
Communicate effectively inter-departmentally and with external personnel (physicians, clinicians, 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.
Receive, manage, process, and distribute samples for testing in the Microbiology Department or to referral laboratories.
Operate within the computer system to access information for testing.
Distribute molecular specimens to appropriate testing areas.
Perform molecular ID NOW testing and other waived tests after training.
Manually set up cultures utilizing appropriate technique and proper media.
Route specimens for referral testing.
Manage all aspects of the logistic process for referral testing.
Positively identify patient samples accurately throughout the process of receiving, labeling, shipping, and transcribing.
Obtain training and Certification in Hazardous Materials Shipping.
Adhere to all regulatory requirements of OSHA, DOT, FDA and other agencies as applicable.
Order and maintain shipping supply inventories.
Drive to outside Nursing Homes for collections of specimens from patients.
Maintain proper Identification of the patient before collections and proper collection techniques.
Answer phones and disseminate information to other laboratory personnel.
Prioritize workload effectively.
Maintain and manage laboratory documentation and recordkeeping.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills to provide age-appropriate patient care.
Check out products for administration to the patient (Blood Bank).
Perform temperature tracking, quality control procedures, and product preparation (Blood Bank).
Perform culture preparation, operate automated equipment, rotate stock, complete inventory counts, and perform quality assurance equipment checks (Microbiology).
Prepare and route patient samples to approved testing facilities (Referrals).