Hospital Lab Technician 1

University of California, San Francisco•Oakland, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Provide services to both inpatient and outpatient clients as assigned. Collects specimens according to protocol, prepares specimens for the laboratory, and maintains accurate records of drawn specimens using established procedures for UCSF inpatient medical center floors. May be assigned to perform phlebotomy at all UCSF Health sites (Parnassus, Mt. Zion, joint UCSF health partnerships, Satellite Clinics, or at other off-site clinic sites, et al). Responsible for labeling and distributing appropriate containers to collect other specimens, giving instructions for complex tests, clerical duties, specimen processing duties, computer entry, and specimen preparation for transport to the main lab. Picks up specimens from blood draw areas and clinics and delivers them to the main laboratory. May be assigned to assist in Clinical Laboratory Phlebotomy or Processing sections as needed.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma (GED)
Skilled in Lab Specimen Central Processing and experience in performing Phlebotomy on a broad range of patient types
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, and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Possession of a current phlebotomy certificate (CPT1) issued by California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services
Demonstrates computer skills, demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills
Must be able to work well under pressure.
This position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations and at off-site locations as assigned and in varying schedules as needed.
Proficient with PC, Windows, Word, Excel, etc.

Nice To Haves

Previous knowledge of and experience in a clinical lab setting, and medical terminology preferred.
Skilled Specimen Processor and experience in Phlebotomy in all ages in an In/Out-Patient hospital setting

Responsibilities

Patient and Staff Greeting / Reception: Acknowledge the Patient with a greeting, Introduce themself, Explain the expected Duration of the test to be performed, Explain test or procedure (blood draw, urine collection, etc.), Thank the patient and ask if there is anything else you can do for them.
Processing Orders in the hospital (APeX) system and Lab informations system (when assigned in Phlebotomy): Validate patient orders before collecting specimens. For In-Patients, check with the nurse before drawing blood to ensure orders are correct. Generate collection labels from handheld devices after properly identifying the patient. For Outpatients, validate orders in the hospital APeX and release to generate labels. Process STATs, urine, and body fluids within 20 minutes. Process work in the following order: STATs, Timed orders, Routine orders.
STAT or Routine Processing: Process STAT specimens first and send to the Clinical Laboratory. Sort specimens for delivery to the appropriate department (Blood Bank, Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology etc.). Label specimens with appropriate computer-generated labels. Prepare pour-off vials for aliquoting. Provide clear written instructions to the analytical sections and Specimen Processing when specimens must be shared.
Aliquotting of Urine Collections: Accurately verify urine labels against the requisition. Check specimen when a preservative is required and/or urine aliquots treating the specimen as directed by the computer labels. Aliquot urines into the proper tubes or containers and enclose 24-hour urines in plastic bags. Ensure that multiple specimens for one 24-hour collection are labeled correctly.
Phlebotomy/Specimen Collections (when assigned): Obtain blood specimens by venipuncture or skin puncture. Make smears or peripheral blood on microscope slides when indicated. Properly identify patient by following established department or medical center protocol. Use the Clinical Laboratory Online Lab Manual as a resource. Consistently utilize established blood draw technique. Skillfully use appropriate equipment and employ post-venipuncture care. Administer glucose drink for tolerance tests. Determine collection time(s) and properly collect and label timed sequential blood draws for glucose tolerance. Collect appropriate specimens for blood culture. Adhere to Hospital Infection Control policy. Ensure timely and appropriate transport, routing, and handling of laboratory specimens. Stock all phlebotomy and material supplies in assigned work area and maintain a clean work area. Initialing and filing the patient draw record. Pick up laboratory specimens from the nursing units.
Responses to Inquiries/Communications: Communicate non-technical information (such as collection instructions and turnaround times, etc.) obtained from the Laboratory Manual, the laboratory computer, and the requisitions. Consult with supervisor and technical staff WHEN INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE in these sources. Communicate clear and accurately information in person or by telephone.
Telephone Duty: Answer all telephone calls in the work area in a timely manner. Identify oneself, work location and offer kind greetings. Attempt to answer phones asap and before the third ring.
Pneumatic Tube: Check contents of pneumatic tube from RN floors and Lab upon arrival at BCH-Oakland workplace. Promptly check the tube for samples, slides, blood products and/or any other supplies and promptly return empty tubes to locations.
Computer Downtime: During a computer downtime, process specimens according to established downtime protocols. Process specimens correctly without the aid of computer labels and forward them to the proper testing sections. Write patient/test information on all pour-off tubes.
Additional Unspecified Duties: Perform additional duties or projects as assigned in the Clinical Laboratory Central Processing and In-Patient Phlebotomy, Out-Patient Blood Draw or assigned section(s).