Clinical Pathology Technician

Fairview Health Services•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Fairview is hiring a Clinical Pathology Technician (CPT) in the Acute Care Laboratory at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center-East Bank. This is a casual, 0.01 FTE day-shift position with 10-hour shifts from 5:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The role requires working three out of every six weekends and occasional holidays. There is no fixed weekly schedule; flexibility to work varying days based on departmental staffing and operational needs is essential. The CPT performs processes required to prepare or procure and transport specimens for waived, moderate, or high-complexity testing under CLIA '88. The role requires knowledge of clinical laboratory departments, including Chemistry, Blood Bank, Urinalysis, Hematology, Coagulation, and Microbiology. The technician performs routine and specialty procedures, recognizes problems, identifies basic causes, and makes corrections using established protocols. The CPT processes data with an understanding of technical and instrumental conditions that affect diagnostic results, follows established parameters, collaborates with laboratory customers, and works independently under general supervision.

Requirements

Complete 24 college credits, including at least 12 credits in chemistry or biological sciences, and provide a transcript; alternatively, complete 24 college credits plus two years of clinical laboratory experience and provide a transcript.
0 to 1 year of experience in a clinical or anatomic diagnostic laboratory.
Ability to work under stress in a variety of situations.
Ability to exercise independent judgment.
Manual dexterity.
Basic computer and keyboarding skills.

Nice To Haves

B.S. or B.A. degree.
Medical Assistant degree.
1–2 years of experience in a clinical laboratory.
Knowledge of medical terminology.

Responsibilities

Participate in collecting bone marrow, blood, and body-fluid specimens according to established guidelines.
Assist physicians and residents in obtaining specimens from patients of all ages and levels of physical or mental disability.
Verify patient identity and pause for cause during bone marrow collection.
Coordinate specimen drop-offs and ensure adequate documentation.
Process specimens through centrifugation, aliquoting, preparation for reference-laboratory transport, and storage at appropriate temperatures.
Assess specimen integrity and acceptability; verify labeling and handle deviations according to standard operating procedures.
Follow guidelines for prioritizing specimen testing, processing, and procurement.
Communicate collection instructions, including minimum volume requirements, to nursing staff and other providers.
Perform phlebotomy and apply knowledge of basic anatomy and clinical laboratory processes.
Collaborate with researchers on appropriate specimen processing, storage, and transport.
Accession, order, or enter specimens and tests into the computer system; verify patient details, ordering physician, tests, and diagnosis codes, and work carefully to prevent data-entry errors.
Perform routine and specialty laboratory procedures and assist providers and residents with specimen preparation.
Operate laboratory instrumentation and information systems according to written procedures; perform and document instrument maintenance.
Maintain adequate laboratory supplies and a clean, organized work environment.
Accurately describe specimens upon receipt and record their receipt date and time according to departmental guidelines.
Recognize problems, identify basic causes, make corrections using established protocols, initiate safety or emergency responses, and seek assistance when needed.
Evaluate diagnostic preparations for quality, identify unacceptable quality, and take action when parameters are out of compliance.
Recheck abnormal, discrepant, or unexpected results and communicate abnormal and critical results directly to caregivers.
Comply with laboratory quality assurance, performance improvement, and compliance programs; document deviations and actions, reagent/test kit/calibrator checks, and QC trends or values as required.
Follow laboratory procedures and policies for regulatory compliance, including applicable CAP, HIPAA, and JCAHO standards.