Hospital Lab Technician 1

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

6d•$42 - $52•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves receiving, labeling, and processing specimens in the Clinical Laboratories. Key responsibilities include inputting patient data, handling telephone inquiries about tests and results, and accessioning specimens. The technician will also maintain, troubleshoot, and operate the Total Lab Automation (TLA) system and monitor the TUG sample delivery system. The position requires efficient and accurate performance of all tasks without supervision to ensure good patient care. Within the first six months, employees must be able to routinely perform specified tasks at the applicable standards, requiring instruction and initiative. Adherence to all University and departmental policies is mandatory.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma.
Two years of laboratory experience OR two years of college including courses in the natural, physical, or social sciences, and one year of laboratory experience, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Must speak and write clearly and be readily understood for accurate transmission of laboratory data and messages.
Must be able to communicate effectively with physicians, requesting departments, and other staff.
Must be able to work well under pressure.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of a clinical lab setting and medical terminology.
Typing and computer experience.
Valid California Phlebotomy CPT license.

Responsibilities

Receive, label, and process specimens received for analysis in the Clinical Laboratories.
Input patient data into computer systems (e.g., Sunquest).
Process work in a specific order: STATs, Process Immediately, Routine Racks, Urine and Body Fluids, Research/Budget.
Receive and sort STAT, pre-op, or routine specimens from internal and external sources.
Check for proper patient identification on specimens and requisitions, and verify clear test requests.
Obtain and verify information and specimen collection requirements from the Laboratory Manual, consulting supervisors or technologists when necessary.
Resolve discrepancies or labeling problems via telephone, involving Laboratory Medicine sections or Residents as appropriate.
Place blood samples and requisitions in racks for computer entry and labeling, setting aside specimens requiring special processing.
Process specimens from outside institutions only with proper authorization; hold specimens safely if authorization is unavailable.
Label specimens with appropriate computer-generated labels, being cautious of samples collected at multiple times or from several sites.
Prepare pour-off vials for aliquoting as necessary.
Verify correct computer entry of tests by checking orders on labels against requisitions.
Flag specimens for analytical sections to facilitate sharing of specimens.
Initial requisition upon completion of labeling.
Centrifuge specimens and separate cells and/or plasma where appropriate, operating equipment properly and safely.
Add buffers or preservatives to samples or perform other special processing as required.
Aliquot correct amounts of specimens into appropriate containers for testing.
Determine if the amount and quality of the specimen meet requirements for testing, communicating issues to relevant parties.
Store specimens according to computer labels to maintain sample integrity.
Package specimens for send-out to Referral laboratories.
File requisitions in the bin for scanning.
Aliquot urine collections, verifying labels against requisitions and checking for proper preservative.
Measure timed urine collections and perform quality control checks on electronic scales.
Handle specimens as directed by lab manual instructions.
Write Urine Volume and Hours of Collection on the Urine Volume worksheet.
Review Volume/Hrs of Collection on worksheet for daily discard specimens.
Resolve problems arising from improper handling of specimens.
Sort STAT specimens with labels and transport them to appropriate testing sections, verifying test orders.
Communicate non-technical information (e.g., collection instructions, turn-around times, test results) accurately and professionally.
Answer telephone extensions in the work area in a timely manner.
Process test sent out to a Referral Laboratory, packaging specimens according to instructions.
Use basic computer functions (Sunquest GUI Order Entry, General Lab, Smart, Laboratory Inquiry) to retrieve patient data and resolve specimen identification problems.
Process specimens when the computer system is not functioning, following the internal crash plan.
Perform additional duties or projects as assigned.
Function as a "Track Master" operator of the automation track system, sorting samples, identifying correct labeling, and handling QNS and blood bank samples.
Investigate and troubleshoot samples that have issues with the automation line.
Send samples for archiving to the storage module and pull samples from the storage module.
Identify automation track system errors, call vendor support, and troubleshoot the track.
Fill out automation track problem forms and perform software/hardware reboots for troubleshooting.
Follow manual procedures for pulling samples from the storage system if the storage module is not operational.
Perform automation track storage temperature checks and daily, weekly, and monthly maintenances.
Ensure the PTS (Pneumatic Tube System) bin is not full and consistently unload PTS tube carriers.
Inspect samples from PTS tube carriers to be loaded to the automation track input lanes or BIM.
Separate samples with paper order requisitions for manual receiving.
Continuously monitor, operate, and troubleshoot the TUG robot delivery system throughout the shift.
Recover the TUG robot if it gets stuck and call TUG vendor hotline for assistance.
Communicate with nursing units if TUG is non-operational.
Credit test without results and add credit reason.
Properly fill out problem report forms for mislabeled or unlabeled specimens.
Process Add-On test requests within specified timeframes (STAT and routine).
Log refrigerator, freezer, and heating block temperatures daily and notify lead or supervisor of any issues.
Review test on the problem template and locate specimens or endorse unresolved issues to the next shift.
Monitor un-received DPL within the shift.