Hospital Lab Technician 1 - Evenings

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Hospital Lab Technician 1 receives, labels, processes, and prepares specimens for analysis in the Clinical Laboratories; enters patient and test data into laboratory computer systems; answers inquiries about test information and results; and operates, monitors, and troubleshoots the Total Lab Automation (TLA) and TUG sample delivery systems. The technician must perform assigned work accurately, efficiently, and without supervision to support patient care, while following University and departmental policies and applicable laboratory procedures. Within the first six months, the employee is expected to perform the listed tasks to applicable standards after receiving instruction from supervisors or designated staff. Work includes receiving and sorting specimens, verifying identification and test requests, resolving labeling and specimen problems, labeling and aliquoting samples, operating centrifuges and other equipment, processing urine collections and send-out specimens, handling STAT orders, communicating with laboratory users, using laboratory computer systems, and following the written computer-crash plan. The position also includes maintaining specimen integrity, documenting and escalating problems, and completing additional duties as assigned. Automation and delivery-system duties include serving as a Track Master; loading and routing eligible samples; identifying specimens that must not enter the automation line; investigating errors and unknown samples; archiving and retrieving samples; and performing track maintenance and troubleshooting. The technician monitors and unloads the Pneumatic Tube System (PTS), and continuously monitors, operates, and troubleshoots the TUG autonomous robot. Other duties include processing add-on tests, crediting tests without results, completing problem reports, logging equipment temperatures, troubleshooting problem templates, and monitoring un-received DPL. This is a full-time position. Work days and hours may change to reflect hospital and laboratory needs. Weekend or holiday work may be required on a rotational basis, and overtime may be required; overtime is compensated with time off or pay according to department policy and the AFSCME Agreement.

Requirements

High school graduation or a General Education Diploma and 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 successful performance of the assigned duties.
Ability to speak and write clearly and be readily understood to transmit laboratory data and messages accurately and communicate effectively with physicians, requesting departments, and other staff.
Ability to work well under pressure.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Receive, sort, and accession specimens; greet specimen drop-offs; enter patient and test data; and prioritize work according to laboratory procedures.
Verify specimen and requisition identification, test requests, collection requirements, authorization, sample quantity, and sample quality; resolve or escalate discrepancies and labeling problems.
Label specimens and aliquots, prepare pour-off vials, verify computer entries against requisitions, and flag specimens for analytical sections or shared use.
Centrifuge and separate specimens, add required buffers or preservatives, aliquot samples, store specimens appropriately, and package referral-laboratory specimens.
Measure and process urine collections, verify preservatives, record collection volumes and times, and discard aged specimens according to procedure.
Process STAT specimens and add-on requests within the specified time limits and deliver samples to the appropriate testing sections.
Answer telephone and in-person inquiries using approved laboratory information sources, and communicate accurately and professionally with physicians, nursing units, referring laboratories, and other staff.
Use laboratory computer systems to retrieve patient data, enter orders, resolve identification problems, and process specimens during computer outages according to the internal crash plan.
Operate as a Track Master for the automation system; route, archive, and retrieve samples; investigate error-lane and unknown samples; troubleshoot system problems; and conduct required track maintenance.
Monitor and unload pneumatic tube carriers, inspect samples, and separate specimens requiring manual receiving.
Continuously monitor, operate, and troubleshoot the TUG sample delivery robot; recover it when stuck and notify affected nursing units if the system is unavailable.
Process send-out tests, prioritize drug and toxicology specimens for courier pickup, and obtain required approval before referral-laboratory submission.
Credit tests without results and record credit reasons; complete problem reports for mislabeled or unlabeled specimens; troubleshoot problem templates; and monitor un-received DPL.
Log refrigerator, freezer, and heating-block temperatures daily and report equipment issues, alarms, failures, malfunctions, or potential hazards.
Perform additional duties or projects as assigned and comply with University, departmental, and applicable hospital policies.