Lab Support Assistant

Beth Israel Lahey Health•Boston, MA

About The Position

The Lab Support Assistant provides essential laboratory support in the cutting room and accessioning area, including specimen receipt and accessioning, accurate data entry, specimen identification and labeling, and specimen distribution. The position supports timely and accurate specimen processing and enters patient test orders and demographic information into the computer system. Department duties include maintaining slides and blocks in alphabetical and numerical order; maintaining spreadsheets and tables that track the file system; tracking cases that leave and return to the department; and retrieving slides and blocks according to departmental priorities for additional testing, consultation, conferences, research, and teaching. The assistant follows BIDMC policy and turnaround-time expectations, ensures cases sent outside the hospital have the required pathology report, patient demographics, and billing information, and coordinates slides and associated blocks for pathologist review and testing. The role also involves adding tests to appropriate specimen types, safely packaging specimens for transport, handling and processing routine and STAT specimens, aliquoting and storing specimens while maintaining their integrity, retrieving specimens for add-on testing, answering telephone calls, and keeping the work area clean and stocked. Work is monitored by a supervisor or manager. The position requires standing and/or moving around for most of the shift and exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally or up to 20 pounds frequently.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
0–1 years of related work experience.
Basic familiarity with computers.
Ability to navigate web-based applications at a basic level.
Ability to read and write English to understand basic safety instructions, take direction, communicate effectively, and respond to basic questions.
Ability to understand spoken English and communicate in basic English with patients, families, supervisors, and medical center staff.
Ability to make decisions using instructions, standard practices, and established procedures, generally with little or no supervision.
Ability to address routine problems by following directions and procedures and identify opportunities for process improvements.
Ability to follow general instructions and procedures; work is monitored by a supervisor or manager.
Basic knowledge of fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures for routine situations; specialized knowledge is not required.
Ability to interact respectfully with coworkers, professional staff, and external contacts.
Ability to demonstrate a positive attitude and respond to requests in a timely and respectful manner.
Ability to exert up to 50 pounds occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently, and to stand and/or move around for most of the shift.
Must be vaccinated against influenza as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Laboratory experience.

Responsibilities

Enter patient test orders and demographic information into the computer system.
Maintain slides and blocks in alphabetical and numerical order.
Maintain spreadsheets and tables that track the department's file system.
Track cases that leave the department and their return to the files, maintaining a record.
Retrieve slides and blocks according to departmental priorities for additional testing, consultations, conferences, research, and teaching.
Follow BIDMC policies and expected turnaround times for slide requests and other critical needs.
Ensure cases sent out of the hospital for additional testing have the final pathology report, patient demographics, and billing information attached.
Coordinate slides for pathologist review and retrieve associated blocks for patient testing.
Enter specimen demographics and test orders into the computer.
Add requested tests to the appropriate specimen type.
Identify and label specimens according to protocol.
Package specimens safely for transport and handle them appropriately upon arrival at the laboratory.
Process routine and STAT specimens according to protocol.
Process and aliquot specimens to meet service goals.
Store specimens appropriately and maintain specimen integrity.
Retrieve specimens for add-on testing.
Identify, label, and process specimens for testing while following standard operating and safety procedures.
Answer telephone calls promptly and courteously.
Maintain a clean and well-stocked work area.