Hospital Lab Technician 1

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hospital Lab Technician 1 receives, labels, and processes specimens for analysis in the Clinical Laboratories. This role involves inputting patient data into computer systems, answering telephone inquiries regarding test information 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 the ability to perform all tasks efficiently and accurately without supervision to ensure excellent patient care.

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.
Ability to speak and write clearly and be readily understood for accurate transmission of laboratory data and messages.
Ability to communicate effectively with physicians, requesting departments, and other staff.
Ability to work well under pressure.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of a clinical lab setting.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Typing experience.
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 or other available sources.
Resolve discrepancies or labeling problems by telephone, involving appropriate laboratory sections or residents.
Place blood samples and requisitions in racks for computer entry and labeling, setting aside specimens requiring special processing.
Process specimens from outside institutions only if accompanied by a proper authorization form.
Label specimens with appropriate computer-generated labels, paying attention to the risk of mislabeling.
Prepare pour-off vials for aliquoting as necessary.
Verify correct computer entry of tests by checking orders on labels against requisitions.
Flag specimens clearly to analytical sections to facilitate sharing.
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 carry out other special processing as required.
Aliquot the correct amounts of specimens into appropriate containers for testing.
Determine if the amount and quality of the specimen meet testing requirements and communicate issues.
Package specimens for send-out to Referral laboratories.
File requisitions in the bin for scanning.
Verify urine labels against requisitions and check for proper preservative addition.
Measure timed urine collections using a scale, recording the weight as volume.
Aliquot urines into proper tubes or containers.
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 daily discard specimens.
Resolve problems arising from improper handling of specimens.
Sort STAT specimens with labels and transport them to appropriate testing sections.
Verify test ordered against requisition during sorting of labels with specimens.
Follow instructions for processing STAT and routine orders on the same specimen.
Communicate non-technical information accurately, clearly, professionally, and courteously.
Answer telephone extensions in the work area in a timely manner.
Process test sent out to a Referral Laboratory when assigned.
Package specimens according to instructions for send-out.
Give priority to drug and toxicology specimens for courier pickup.
Refer tests requiring prior approval to the laboratory resident before submitting to a Reference Laboratory.
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.
Hand-write all requisitions and labels legibly during computer crashes.
Perform additional duties or projects as assigned.
Act as a "Track Master" operator of the automation track system, sorting samples and identifying correct labeling format.
Identify QNS (Quantity Not Sufficient) samples and not load them to the automation line.
Receive samples manually in the lab system and deliver them to departments.
Identify blood bank sample tubes and not load them to the automation line.
Deliver sample tubes to the Blood Bank department and alert personnel if blood bank specimens are accidentally received.
Investigate samples that do not have a download to the automation line.
Investigate and troubleshoot samples that go to automation Priority Output Error lanes or the unknown lane.
Send samples for archiving to the storage module.
Pull samples from the storage module.
Identify automation track system errors, call vendor support, and troubleshoot.
Open tickets to vendors for on-site service if issues cannot be resolved.
Fill out automation track problem forms documenting issues.
Perform software and hardware reboots of modules for troubleshooting.
Follow manual procedures for pulling samples from the storage system if it is not operational.
Perform automation track storage temperature checks and daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance.
Ensure the PTS (Pneumatic Tube System) bin is not full and 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.
Recover the TUG robot if it gets stuck.
Call TUG vendor hotline for troubleshooting assistance.
Communicate with nursing units if the TUG is non-operational.
Credit tests without results and add credit reasons.
Properly fill out problem report forms for mislabeled or unlabeled specimens.
Process add-on test requests within specified timeframes.
Log refrigerator, freezer, and heating block temperatures daily.
Troubleshoot problem templates by reviewing tests and locating specimens.
Endorse un-resolved issues to the next shift as needed.
Monitor un-received DPL (Daily Patient Log) within the shift.