Lab Assistant

Patient First•Annapolis, MD

26d•$22 - $24

About The Position

The Lab Assistant provides rapid, reliable, quality laboratory results and supports laboratory operations, patient care, and clinic staff. The role involves collecting, handling, and processing specimens; performing waived testing and maintaining laboratory equipment; documenting quality control and maintenance activities; ordering and receiving supplies; and communicating with nurses and physicians about patient readiness, symptoms, and laboratory or x-ray needs. The Lab Assistant follows laboratory, safety, and corrective-action procedures, troubleshoots issues or escalates them to appropriate laboratory personnel, and assists with patient treatment and care. The position requires respectful, timely collaboration and a positive, professional approach to service. The employee may be asked to work at any center due to a staffing or center emergency or reduction of work.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age or older.
High school graduate or equivalent.
Knowledge of laboratory principles, concepts, and methodologies sufficient to perform waived testing.
Ability to produce rapid, reliable, quality laboratory results during high-volume periods of 100 or more patients per day.
Ability to multitask, prioritize work, and take initiative in response to varying volume and dynamic situations.
Knowledge and skill sufficient to use and maintain laboratory instrumentation.
Proficiency in venipuncture, finger-stick collections, and drug screens.
Ability to sit, stand, and walk for long periods, possibly 4–7 hours at a time.
Ability to lift moderately heavy to heavy items weighing 20–50 pounds.
Willingness to work at any center due to a staffing or center emergency or reduction of work.

Responsibilities

Provide quality and rapid laboratory results using appropriate analyses, procedures, equipment, and safety practices.
Follow laboratory procedures for specimen collection, handling, and processing, test analyses, reporting, and test-result record maintenance.
Follow quality control policies and document quality control activities and maintenance under the supervision of the Lab Technician on duty.
Electronically order laboratory, x-ray, and medical supplies as directed.
Notify the nurse and/or physician when a patient is ready for examination, communicate symptoms, and relay questions about laboratory or x-ray needs.
Follow established corrective-action policies and procedures when test systems do not meet acceptable performance levels, and document corrective actions.
Identify and troubleshoot issues that may affect test performance or reporting, resolving them when possible or notifying the Lab Technician on duty, Lab Supervisor, or Lab Consultant.
Receive and distribute laboratory supplies as needed.
Follow Patient First and OSHA safety policies.
Assist nurses and physicians with patient treatment and care.
Handle physician and nurse requests respectfully and promptly.
Foster teamwork and maintain a positive, professional atmosphere.
Provide positive, warm, and friendly service in all interactions.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Be willing to work at any center due to a staffing or center emergency or reduction of work.