Lab Assistant

North Vista Hospital•North Las Vegas, NV

About The Position

The Laboratory Assistant supports laboratory operations at North Vista Hospital. The role includes clerical and specimen-processing duties and requires following applicable CLIA guidelines and the cited California Business and Professions Code provisions. Unlicensed personnel may not read, record, result, verify, or interpret laboratory tests; perform quantitative testing or related calculations; calibrate instruments; or review quality-control results. During assistance in the analytical testing phase, unlicensed personnel require direct and constant supervision by a CLS or another licensed person identified in the applicable code. The assistant handles computer entry, filing, telephone communication, patient and visitor greetings, specimen processing, routine supply stocking and ordering, and maintaining clean storage and collection areas. With documented training, the assistant may also perform specified preventive maintenance and troubleshooting, assist with quality-control procedures, and carry out certain culture and slide-preparation tasks. Additional duties may be assigned by the department manager or director.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
State certification as CPT I or CPT II if required in the state where the laboratory is located.

Nice To Haves

Minimum of one year of clinical laboratory experience performing similar job functions.
Current BCLS (AHA) certificate upon hire and maintained as current.

Responsibilities

Follow applicable CLIA guidelines and the cited California Business and Professions Code provisions, including restrictions on duties performed by unlicensed laboratory personnel.
Work under direct and constant supervision by a CLS or other licensed person during assistance in the analytical testing phase.
Perform computer entry, filing, telephone communication, and other clerical duties.
Greet patients and visitors politely and demonstrate good telephone etiquette and communication skills.
Demonstrate knowledge of laboratory test terminology and phlebotomy practices and equipment used to collect specimens from newborn through geriatric patients.
Process pathology, microbiology, immunology, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, chemistry, and blood bank specimens.
Process specimens for reference laboratories.
Stock and order routine supplies.
Keep storage areas, trays, centrifuges, and collection areas clean.
Process specimens or place them on laboratory instruments in accordance with established policies and procedures.
With documented training, perform instrument preventive maintenance and troubleshooting, assist with quality-control procedures, perform primary culture inoculations, prepare stained slides, and subculture from liquid media.
Assist in Pathology with training and evaluation.
Perform runner duties and other tasks assigned by the department manager or director, such as monitoring, mail, fax, answering phones, and interdepartmental deliveries.