Lab Assistant, LSBME

LCMC Health•Marrero, LA

About The Position

The Lab Assistant performs waived patient testing and supports general laboratory operations, specimen collection, workload and inventory management, specimen handling, and quality assurance. The role follows department standard operating procedures (SOPs) and organizational policies, including requirements for patient identification, specimen labeling, and blood and body fluid precautions. Work hours are variable, and weekends and holidays are required as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
A Lab Assistant license is required.
Previous lab assistant experience is preferred.
Basic Life Support Health Care Provider certification from the American Heart Association is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Previous lab assistant experience.
Basic Life Support Health Care Provider certification from the American Heart Association.

Responsibilities

Perform waived patient testing.
Conduct daily temperature checks, analyzer maintenance, calibrations, and quality control for waived tests.
Notify appropriate testing staff when expected quality control values are not achieved or quality control ranges are exceeded.
Ensure department supplies are appropriately stocked and available.
Perform venipuncture and skin puncture on patients of all age groups in accordance with department SOP.
Identify patients using at least two identifiers and collect and label specimens at the bedside in the patient's presence, following SOP.
Label aliquots using at least two patient identifiers.
Transcribe orders from outside providers as necessary.
Respond to applicable code teams as needed.
Follow laboratory and organizational universal precautions for blood and body fluids.
Use handheld devices for specimen collection in accordance with SOP.
Monitor collection lists and document the status of outstanding collections.
Monitor expected lists for pending laboratory tests.
Answer phone calls and demonstrate appropriate customer service skills.
Ensure specimen collection supplies are available and within expiration dates; notify laboratory leadership when supplies fall below thresholds or expiration dates are approaching.
Stock supplies when deliveries are received and stock phlebotomy carts with adequate supplies for the next shift.
Update specimens to received status and ensure collection status, collection date and time, collector, and receipt date and time are accurate.
Deliver specimens to the appropriate laboratory section.
Communicate complaints or problems to the department supervisor.
Work weekends and holidays as assigned.