Lab Assistant

CommonSpirit Health•Bakersfield, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lab Assistant collects, prepares, and processes patient specimens—including blood, urine, and tissue—for diagnostic testing. The role requires foundational knowledge of laboratory procedures, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. The Lab Assistant follows safe laboratory practices, universal precautions, OSHA and HIPAA requirements, MSDS guidelines, and applicable California regulations. The position supports patients from neonates through geriatrics and requires maintaining phlebotomy skills. After certification, the employee may collect arterial blood for blood gas analysis only and is directly accountable to the Medical Laboratory Director for that procedure. The Lab Assistant receives and processes specimens within established timelines, assesses specimens for appropriateness, quality, and volume, and reviews reference-laboratory orders for specimen type and handling instructions. The role also includes batching and sending tests to appropriate facilities, aliquoting and preparing specimens for send-out testing, and preparing blood and body-fluid smears for Wright and Gram stain testing for Clinical Laboratory Scientist review. During computer downtime, the employee prints or uses downtime labels and posts draws in the designated area. The employee participates in mandatory training and workshops and must complete quarterly AHA Resuscitation Quality Improvement competency certification after hire using resources internal to the facility.

Requirements

California Phlebotomy Technician 1 certification.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Obtain a California Phlebotomy Technician 2 license after completing 1,040 clinical hours.
One year of phlebotomy experience.
Education level necessary to obtain the required licensure and certifications.
Working knowledge of medical terminology.
General typing and computer skills.

Responsibilities

Collect, prepare, and process patient specimens for diagnostic tests.
Follow safe laboratory practices, universal precautions, OSHA and HIPAA regulations, MSDS guidelines, and applicable California laboratory regulations.
Evaluate patient information and provide care appropriate to age-specific needs, from neonates through geriatrics.
Maintain phlebotomy skills; after certification, collect arterial blood for blood gas analysis only, under accountability to the Medical Laboratory Director.
Receive and process specimens within established timelines.
Evaluate specimens for appropriateness, quality, and volume relative to the tests ordered.
Review reference-laboratory orders for specimen type and handling instructions.
Batch and send tests to the appropriate testing facility or reference laboratory.
Aliquot and prepare specimens for send-out testing.
Prepare blood and body-fluid smears for Wright stain and Gram stain testing for Clinical Laboratory Scientist review.
During computer downtime, print labels or use downtime labels and post draws in the appropriate area.
Participate in mandatory training sessions or workshops.
Complete quarterly AHA Resuscitation Quality Improvement competency certification after hire using facility-internal resources.