Clinical Laboratory Assistant

UT Health San Antonio•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant supports day-to-day processes in the Pathology Department/Clinical Laboratory. The role receives clinical specimens, checks requisitions and specimens for accuracy, accessioning specimens, enters orders into the laboratory information system, distributes worksheets to medical technologists, and helps ensure results are successfully reported to clients. The assistant follows laboratory procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting, and recordkeeping. The role also supports quality assurance, quality control, instrument and procedural calibration and maintenance, and compliance with applicable laboratory policies and regulations. It includes identifying performance or reporting issues, correcting them or promptly notifying a supervisor, manager, or director, and managing supplies and consumables.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Two years of related experience.
Knowledge of handling patient specimens from accession through storage.
Ability to read and follow technical procedures in the Standard Operating Procedure Manual.
Good hand-eye coordination and written and verbal communication skills.
Strong computer, scientific, and organizational skills.
Strong sense of personal accountability and responsibility.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Self-motivation, adaptability, and a positive attitude.

Responsibilities

Assist with day-to-day processes in the Pathology Department/Clinical Laboratory.
Receive clinical specimens and check requisitions and specimens for accuracy.
Accession specimens, enter orders into the laboratory information system, and distribute worksheets to medical technologists.
Help ensure results are successfully reported to clients.
Follow procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting, and maintaining records of test examinations.
Maintain records demonstrating proficiency-testing samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens.
Follow quality control policies and document quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and maintenance performed.
Follow established policies and procedures when test systems are outside acceptable performance levels.
Identify problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting; correct problems or immediately notify the supervisor, manager, or director.
Order and maintain supplies and consumables inventory.
Document corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from established performance specifications.
Assist in quality assurance administration, inventory management, ordering, and sample data collection or accessioning as needed.
Comply with applicable federal and state regulations.