Clinical Lab Assistant-Baroness Lab-PRN

Erlanger Health System•Chattanooga, TN

11d•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 appropriately when questions or problems arise. Specific responsibilities vary by department: In Blood Bank, the CLA supports Technologists/Technicians, makes quick decisions under pressure, checks out products for patient administration, speaks clearly to articulate accurate patient identification, handles client and coworker interactions professionally, assists with blood product preparation, orders and receives inventory, and performs quality procedures. In Microbiology, the CLA receives, manages, processes, and distributes samples, operates instrumentation like the WalkAway Specimen Processing (WASP) and blood culture instruments, manually sets up cultures, prepares gram stain slides, operates the Biomerieux Previ Gram Stainer, performs quality assurance processes (temperature reading, safety checks, maintenance), and stocks inventory. In Referral Testing, the CLA routes specimens, manages the logistic process, positively identifies patient samples throughout the process, understands testing methodologies for appropriate routing, properly investigates testing options, follows laboratory requirements for specimen integrity, obtains training in Hazardous Materials Shipping, adheres to regulatory requirements (OSHA, DOT, FDA), and orders/maintains shipping supply inventories. The Clinical Lab Assistant works in a high-stress environment, answers phones, disseminates information, prioritizes workload, understands lab quality regulations, manages documentation, and works with team members in continuous quality improvement. They must demonstrate knowledge and skills appropriate to the age of the patients served.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Strong communication skills
Professionalism both inter-departmentally and with personnel outside the laboratory
Detail-oriented
Strong computer skills with the ability to maneuver multiple IT programs and platforms
Ability to accurately identify patient information on specimens
Ability to appropriately distribute samples in a timely manner
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
Ability to make quick and accurate decisions under high pressure situations (Blood Bank)
Acute eyesight (Blood Bank)
Capability to speak clearly to articulate accurate patient identification information to transporters (Blood Bank)
Consistently speak to clients and coworkers in a polite and professional manner (Blood Bank)
Direct phone calls appropriately and to the appropriate contact (Blood Bank)
Knowledge of sample types received and the appropriate handling requirements (Microbiology)
Ability to operate within the computer system to access information for testing (Microbiology)
Ability to operate instrumentation in the Microbiology Department
Ability to manually set up cultures utilizing appropriate technique (streaking inoculation) and proper media for all sample types received
Skills to stain gram stain slides manually (Microbiology)
Willingness to follow specific laboratory requirements to protect the integrity of the specimen
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
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
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

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 and external personnel
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
Check out products for administration to patients (Blood Bank)
Speak clearly to articulate accurate patient identification information to transporters (Blood Bank)
Assist with the preparation of certain blood products (Blood Bank)
Order inventory as directed (Blood Bank)
Receive inventory into the computer (Blood Bank)
Put away stock items (Blood Bank)
Perform quality procedures as directed (Blood Bank)
Receive, manage, process, and distribute samples for testing (Microbiology)
Operate instrumentation in the Microbiology Department (e.g., WalkAway Specimen Processing (WASP) instrument, blood culture instruments)
Manually set up cultures utilizing appropriate technique and proper media
Prepare gram stain slides and set up quality control slides (Microbiology)
Operate the Biomerieux Previ Gram Stainer (Microbiology)
Perform and document quality assurance processes as assigned (Microbiology)
Stock inventory and perform inventory counts (Microbiology)
Route specimens for referral testing (Referral Testing)
Manage all aspects of the logistic process for testing (Referral Testing)
Positively identify patient samples accurately throughout the process
Understand differences in testing methodologies to ensure appropriate routing
Properly investigate testing options (Referral Testing)
Follow specific laboratory requirements to protect the integrity of the specimen
Obtain training and Certification in Hazardous Materials Shipping
Adhere to all regulatory requirements of OSHA, DOT, FDA and other agencies as applicable (Referral Testing)
Order and maintain shipping supply inventories (Referral Testing)
Answer phones and disseminate information to other laboratory personnel
Prioritize workload
Maintain and manage laboratory documentation and recordkeeping
Perform other duties as assigned by the Coordinator or Managers
Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served
Perform temperature tracking, quality control procedures and product preparation (Blood Bank)
Perform culture preparation, operation of automated equipment, rotation of stock, completion of inventory counts and quality assurance equipment checks (Microbiology)
Prepare and route patient samples to approved testing facilities (Referrals)