Lab Assistant - East Huntington

Valley Health Systems•Huntington, WV

12d

About The Position

The Lab Assistant performs pre-analysis, analysis, and post-analysis specimen testing activities to support patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. The role involves communicating with staff and patients in person and by telephone; collecting blood; operating a laboratory centrifuge; interpreting CLIA-waived tests; and documenting and reporting results in accordance with established procedures and quality control protocols. The position requires excellent organizational and documentation skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of good laboratory practices. Regular contact with biohazardous specimens carries an inherent risk of exposure to bloodborne diseases (OSHA Risk Category I). The position functions in a normal office environment and requires manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment, concentration for extended periods, and the ability to sit, walk, bend or stoop, lift, and reach. It may occasionally require lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Hearing must be within the range of normal human conversation. The listed schedule is Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Requirements

National Phlebotomy certification.
Excellent speaking and hearing abilities for communicating with staff and patients in person or by telephone.
Excellent documentation and organizational skills and knowledge of good laboratory practices.
Visual acuity to read and interpret CLIA-waived laboratory tests, follow technical procedures, and report results.
Ability to operate a laboratory centrifuge and perform blood collection techniques.
Manual dexterity to operate standard office equipment.
Hearing within the range of normal human conversation.
Ability to maintain concentration and attention to detail for extended periods while keeping accurate patient and account records.
Ability to sit, walk, bend or stoop, lift, and reach to perform specimen testing activities.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to work with regular contact with biohazardous specimens and the inherent risk of exposure to bloodborne diseases.

Responsibilities

Perform specimen analyses to aid patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment while following established quality control protocols.
Maintain positive specimen identification throughout testing and reporting.
Perform venipunctures and capillary blood draws.
Prepare specimens for shipment to a reference laboratory.
Perform patient and quality-control testing according to manufacturers’ written procedures; recognize specimen, test, instrument-performance, or QC problems and remedy them or request assistance as appropriate.
Inform the Supervisor of issues and record remedial actions.
Enter results for all in-house testing in the EHR.
Create requisitions and labels for laboratory orders.
Perform required instrument startup, shutdown, and maintenance.
Keep laboratory supplies stocked and complete supply order forms for items needing replenishment.
Recognize abnormal (alert) values and follow established procedures for rechecking results and notifying the physician.
Maintain required records, including QC, specimen and test logs, instrument maintenance, and troubleshooting or corrective actions.
Maintain professional appearance and conduct when interacting with clinic staff, patients, and families; use appropriate telephone manners and protect confidentiality.
Participate in the medical home care team and support a team approach to patient care.
Comply with the organization’s confidentiality policy and HIPAA requirements.
Communicate and coordinate effectively with members of the care team.
Assist with care coordination, including obtaining test and referral results and communicating with community organizations, health plans, facilities, and specialists.
Proactively address the needs of patients and families through population management.
Communicate effectively with all patients, with specific attention to vulnerable patient populations.
Provide self-management support through patient coaching and motivational interviewing when appropriate.
Cooperate with department scheduling needs.
Perform other related duties assigned by the Supervisor.