Lab Aide

The University of Kansas Health System • Olathe, KS

2d

About The Position

The Lab Aide provides direct laboratory patient care by collecting blood specimens from hospital inpatients, outpatients, Emergency Care, and Day Surgery patients. The role receives, inspects, and processes specimens for laboratory testing and performs basic testing and analyzer operations throughout the clinical laboratory. The Lab Aide uses the Cerner Laboratory Information System and is trained in specific clinical processes and procedures performed within and outside the laboratory. This is a full-time day position with a 4:00 a.m. shift start.

Requirements

• High school graduate.
• Ability to perform the professional, clinical, and technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• Ability to work the stated full-time day schedule, beginning at 4:00 a.m.

Nice To Haves

• Previous laboratory aide experience.

Responsibilities

• Collect blood specimens from inpatients, outpatients, Emergency Care, and Day Surgery patients.
• Investigate specimen requirements and maintain specimen integrity throughout pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes, including identification, sample type and volume, and acceptability.
• Seal, store, transport, and document samples appropriately.
• Organize work independently to support department efficiency and complete testing within laboratory turnaround-time expectations.
• Perform and verify moderately complex laboratory testing, including automated chemistry, cell counter, and coagulation testing, and report results in the LIS with appropriate documentation.
• Dispense blood products to nursing personnel or couriers after verifying requests, product, patient identity, and LIS documentation.
• Prepare microbiology culture samples and gram stains.
• Perform and verify waived testing within the laboratory.
• Use Cerner functions needed for accurate and efficient laboratory workflows, including collection, specimen log-in, order and container inquiry, order entry, ABN, collection modification, chart requests, and manual expedite functions.
• Assist in training new employees, students, radiology technicians, and ECC technicians.
• Perform instrument startup, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting, with appropriate documentation.
• Perform, evaluate, and document required quality control and take corrective action as needed.
• Monitor Specimen Collection Inquiry; add or cancel test orders, credit duplicate tests, log in specimens, and arrange patient draws as needed.
• Deliver specimens to appropriate departments and centrifuge specimens.
• Respond promptly to the pneumatic tube system and telephone; handle send-out, nursing-home, and reference patient laboratory orders; communicate with callers and help resolve laboratory questions and problems.
• Provide accurate and complete handoff communication to the next shift.
• Order supplies for send-out testing.
• Consistently meet the work schedule.
• Perform the professional, clinical, and technical competencies of the assigned unit or department, along with other assigned duties.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED