Lab Assistant

Covenant Health•Tazewell, TN

About The Position

The Lab Assistant at Claiborne Medical Center collects venous and capillary blood specimens from inpatients and outpatients and supports customer safety and comfort. The position also performs registration, clerical and computer tasks, specimen processing, and courier duties as required. Customer service and outpatient collection are primary priorities. The role gathers and records patient demographic, medical, and financial information; enters and verifies orders and diagnoses; handles telephone calls and test-result requests; and maintains confidentiality. It uses hospital, laboratory, and reference-laboratory computer systems, with knowledge of manual procedures during computer outages. The Lab Assistant processes, labels, stores, and tracks specimens, including specimens sent to off-site reference laboratories. The role follows patient identification, blood collection, aseptic technique, sharps disposal, and other laboratory safety procedures. It also maintains work areas and records, supports report distribution and specimen pickup, and participates in laboratory quality and performance improvement activities.

Requirements

No specific minimum education is required; formal education and/or prior work experience must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the job.
Entry-level position.
Basic computer skills.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED; preference may be given to candidates with either.
Certification by NCA, ASCP, ASPT, or a comparable institution is desirable.
Ability to serve as a resource for difficult blood draws.

Responsibilities

Prioritize customer service and outpatient specimen collection, and handle patient registration professionally and accurately.
Gather outpatient demographic, medical, and financial information and enter it into the HIS.
Transcribe medical orders and diagnoses accurately and promptly, order appropriate laboratory tests, and follow up verbal orders with requests for written orders.
Answer departmental telephone calls, transfer calls to the appropriate laboratory or pathology section, help resolve problems, and assist with obtaining, faxing, or receiving test results while protecting confidentiality.
Use HIS, LIS, reference laboratory computer systems, and manual procedures when computer systems are unavailable.
Process specimens, including accessioning, prioritizing, centrifuging, separating, distributing, labeling, storing, logging, and tracking specimens for transport.
Operate and monitor the pneumatic tube system.
Collect venous and capillary blood samples, use the Hollister Ident-A-Band system for Blood Bank specimens, and use aseptic technique for blood cultures.
Verify patient identity and accurately label all specimens; dispose of needles, sharps, and used gloves properly.
Keep clerical and phlebotomy work areas neat and sanitary.
Review written physician orders for errors and document resolution; file orders appropriately and notify the Sr. Lab Assistant or Manager of errors requiring timely correction.
Print, sort, fax, chart, mail, or distribute inpatient and outpatient Laboratory, Pathology, and Imaging reports as needed.
Arrange timely specimen pickup from physicians’ offices and manage requests for supplies.
Participate in laboratory performance improvement activities and other quality improvement initiatives.
Comply with laboratory policies and procedures, exposure control and chemical hygiene plans, disaster plans, Joint Commission standards, CLIA requirements, and state regulations.
Review and sign off on the communication log or memo notebook.
Complete required annual education assignments, work toward goals and objectives, and perform other duties as assigned.