Hospital Lab Technician 1 - Evenings

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

4d•$42 - $52

About The Position

The Hospital Lab Technician 1 receives, labels, and processes specimens for analysis in the Clinical Laboratories; enters patient and test data into laboratory computer systems; responds to telephone inquiries about test information and results; and accessions specimens. The position operates, maintains, and troubleshoots the Total Lab Automation (TLA) system and monitors and operates the TUG autonomous sample delivery system. Work must be performed accurately and efficiently, with the ability to carry out tasks without supervision, to support patient care. During the first six months, the employee is expected to learn and routinely perform assigned tasks to applicable standards with instruction from supervisors or designated staff, while adhering to university and departmental policies. Core work includes receiving, sorting, checking identification and test requests, resolving specimen discrepancies, generating and verifying labels, centrifuging and separating samples, aliquoting and storing specimens, preparing referral-laboratory send-outs, and processing STAT and add-on requests within specified timeframes. The technician communicates nontechnical laboratory information professionally, responds to telephone inquiries, uses laboratory information systems, and follows written procedures during computer outages. The role also includes operating and troubleshooting laboratory automation and delivery systems; handling samples through the automation track, pneumatic tube system, and TUG robot; performing track maintenance; monitoring temperatures and unreceived items; completing problem reports; and performing additional assigned duties. Workdays and hours may change according to hospital and laboratory needs. Rotational weekend or holiday work may be required, and overtime may be required, compensated by time off or pay under department policy and the AFSCME Agreement.

Requirements

High school graduation or GED plus two years of laboratory experience; or two years of college including courses in the natural, physical, or social sciences plus one year of laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge and abilities essential to successful performance of the assigned duties.
Speak and write clearly and be readily understood to ensure accurate communication of laboratory data and messages 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, accession, and process STAT, pre-operative, routine, urine, body-fluid, research, and externally referred specimens in accordance with laboratory procedures and required priorities.
Check patient identification, specimen labels, requisitions, test requests, specimen quantity and quality, and collection or handling requirements; resolve discrepancies and escalate unresolved problems.
Enter patient and test information using laboratory computer systems, including Sunquest, and process specimens according to written downtime procedures when computer systems are unavailable.
Generate and apply specimen labels, prepare pour-off vials, verify labels against requisitions, and prepare the correct number and type of aliquots for testing.
Centrifuge specimens safely, separate cells or plasma, add buffers or preservatives when required, and store or package specimens according to labels and Laboratory Manual instructions.
Measure and aliquot timed urine collections, record volumes and collection hours, and enter required information into the computer and worksheets.
Prioritize and transport STAT specimens to testing sections within required timeframes; process routine specimens and add-on requests within stated standards.
Respond to telephone and in-person inquiries with accurate, clear, courteous nontechnical information, and consult supervisors or technical staff when information is unavailable in approved sources.
Prepare referral-laboratory send-outs according to instructions and pickup schedules, prioritizing drug and toxicology specimens and obtaining required prior approval.
Operate the Total Lab Automation track as a Track Master, sorting samples, managing input and output lanes, identifying samples that must not enter the track, and handling sample archiving and retrieval.
Investigate automation errors and problem samples, read sample trace logs, contact vendor support, document issues, reboot modules when needed, and follow manual procedures when equipment is unavailable.
Perform daily, weekly, and monthly automation-track maintenance and storage-temperature checks; report equipment malfunctions and hazards.
Monitor and unload pneumatic tube system carriers, inspect samples, and separate samples requiring manual accessioning.
Continuously monitor, operate, and troubleshoot the TUG autonomous robot; recover it when stuck, contact vendor support, and notify nursing units if service is unavailable.
Credit tests without results and record credit reasons; complete reports for mislabeled or unlabeled specimens; review problem templates and locate specimens or hand off unresolved issues.
Log refrigerator, freezer, and heating-block temperatures daily, report alarms or failures, and monitor unreceived DPL items during the shift.
Perform additional duties or projects as assigned and comply with university and departmental policies.