LAB ASSISTANT

Covenant Health•Sevierville, TN

13d•Onsite

About The Position

LeConte Medical Center is a part of Covenant Health, a regional healthcare network, and is a 79-bed community hospital. This position is responsible for the collection and proper handling of blood specimens for both in- and out-patients, ensuring customer safety and comfort, performing clerical/computer duties, and fulfilling courier responsibilities as needed.

Requirements

Entry level experience.
Basic computer skills.
Valid Tennessee driver’s license Class D.
State-mandated minimum insurance coverage.
Driving record must meet Covenant Health minimum standards at the date of hire and throughout employment tenure.

Nice To Haves

Certification by NCA, ASCP, ASPT, or comparable institution is desirable.
Formal education or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.
HS diploma or GED is preferred.

Responsibilities

Customer service and outpatient collection are the first priority.
Assure the registration process is handled professionally, accurately, completely, and efficiently.
Gather demographic, medical, and financial information from outpatients courteously and effectively using the HIS.
Transcribe medical orders and diagnoses accurately and timely, ordering appropriate laboratory tests for outpatients, lab contracts, and specimens.
Follow up on all verbal orders with requests for written orders.
Answer departmental telephones, transfer calls to the proper laboratory/pathology section, and follow through with problem resolution.
Assist physicians/staff in obtaining, faxing, or receiving laboratory test results via telephone.
Strictly adhere to the proper handling of confidential test results.
Utilize HIS, LIS, and reference lab computer systems (e.g., Mayo, SLI) as appropriate.
Be knowledgeable of manual systems for ordering, collection, verification, and charting in case of computer failure.
Properly process all specimens, including accessioning, recognizing test priorities, centrifugation, separation/distribution of shared specimens, separation/processing, logging, and tracking of specimens for transport to off-site reference labs.
Properly label aliquots, handle special collection requirements, and follow special storage/shipment instructions (e.g., ice, dry ice, ambient temps, refrigerate).
Properly collect blood samples from venous and/or capillary sites as required.
Properly use the Hollister Ident-A-Band system for labeling Blood Bank specimens.
Use aseptic technique in the collection of blood culture specimens.
Accurately label all specimens.
Strictly adhere to proper patient identification following current national patient safety goals.
Strictly adhere to proper disposal of needles/sharps and used gloves during phlebotomy.
Maintain clerical and phlebotomy work areas in a neat and sanitary manner.
Perform daily quality review of written physician’s orders to detect errors in test orders, diagnosis, physician’s name, insurance coverage, and document problem resolution.
File orders appropriately and manage the filing system.
Notify Sr. Lab Assistant or Manager for timely correction of errors.
Properly print/sort/fax/chart inpatient Laboratory, Pathology, and Imaging reports, and mail or distribute outpatient reports as needed.
Participate in Laboratory performance improvement activities.
Comply with Laboratory policies and procedures, including Exposure Control, Chemical Hygiene Plan, Disaster Plan, Joint Commission standards, CLIA, and State regulations.
Attend General Laboratory and section meetings as required.
Review and sign-off on communication log/memo notebook.
May serve as a resource for difficult blood draws.
Perform local travel as required.
Follow policies, procedures, and safety standards.
Complete required education assignments annually.
Work toward achieving goals and objectives, and participate in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.