Department Level Secretary - Laboratory

Opelousas General Health System•Opelousas, LA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Clerical Secretary will perform various office tasks related to receiving, processing, reporting, and delivering laboratory test results and other lab reports. This includes coordinating patient specimen collection, fielding questions about laboratory services, preparing billing changes, and assisting in the administration and coordination of programs within established policies. The role requires performing tasks safely, assisting in maintaining a safe workplace, and working flexible hours. The position is on-call to fill in as needed.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED required.
Must have basic clerical skills, such as: Typing/Word Processing, filing, medical terminology, and be computer literate.
Familiarity with sources of information about Laboratory testing procedures/ policies for the various areas within the Lab (Surgical Pathology, Histology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology, Blood Bank, Coagulation, Urinalysis).
Strong attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Clerical Experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Accurately and efficiently processes anatomical and clinical lab test reports and distributes to areas.
Receives phone orders for lab tests from physicians, nurses, unit clerks, and convalescent homes.
Prioritizes and routes phone orders for lab tests according to need (STAT, NOW, routing) and efficiently routes them to the phlebotomy team, outpatient registration clerks, and laboratory team.
Follows all laboratory safety rules and reports any possible hazards to the Clerical Lab Supervisor and/or Director of Environmental & Outpatient Lab Services.
Files and/or retrieves lab copies of patient test reports in cabinet files and/or in computer.
Phones results of patient tests to physicians, nurses, or unit clerks as required or requested by Clerical Supervisor or Lab Technologist as urgency dictates.
Keeps the Clerical Supervisor informed about malfunctioning of any office equipment.
Verifies inventories and prepares orders for certain lab supplies as directed by the Clerical Supervisor.
Handles numerous telephone calls simultaneously regarding receipt and dispatch of orders for specimen collection, requests for patient reports/test results, status of in-house and reference tests, turnaround times, verification of patient test orders, status of blood bank transfusion services patient blood products, laboratory specimen requirements, copies of patient lab reports, telephoned reports from reference lab, arrangements for courier services and transportation for special patient tests samples to specialized reference labs, and recalls patients for re-draw when recollection of specimen is necessary.
Maintains current address files for physicians, hospitals, health care institutions, and labs, etc within the organization database.
Routes pertinent microbiology and serology reports to the Infection Control Nurse (e.g., positive bacterial cultures, hepatitis, and clostridium difficile toxin).
Greets and registers all patients within the patient tracker routing system assigned by the organization database.
Maintains and operates various equipment in the Lab office, including photocopy machines, fax machine, telephone system, reference lab computer, and computer.
Types laboratory requisitions when required.
Assists phlebotomists when necessary, such as holding children for blood draws, checking specimen requirements, and distributing incoming patient samples and test requisitions to various areas in the Lab as requested.
Performs other duties as requested by the Clerical Supervisor and/or Lab Manager.
Ensures accuracy and efficiency with which all assignments are completed.
Shows willingness to assist other Laboratory personnel when requested.
Shows willingness to assist other Laboratory personnel as workload permits without being requested to do so.
Encourages other Lab personnel towards professional growth and development by sharing information.
Keeps current with changes in Laboratory procedures.
Ensures daily assignments are completed within an 8-hour shift.
Organizes work for effective utilization of time.
Able to determine priorities when organizing daily assignments.
Utilizes supplies in a non-wasteful manner.
Observes confidentiality both with patient information and co-workers.
Promotes an environment in which the Laboratory staff can work together cooperatively toward objectives.
Directs, explains, and interprets work procedures, and makes decisions on difficult clerical problems.
Understands, interprets, and applies laws, rules, and written directions to specific situations.
Analyzes data, draws logical conclusions, and communicates clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
Reviews and prints lab orders and labels.