Lab Support Assistant
About The Position
The Lab Support Assistant supports cutting room and accessioning operations by receiving and accessioning specimens, entering patient test orders and demographic information, identifying and labeling specimens, and distributing specimens to support timely and accurate processing. The role also maintains the department’s slide and block filing system, tracks items leaving and returning to the files, and retrieves requested materials for testing, consultations, conferences, research, and teaching. The position follows department policies and procedures, supports turnaround-time expectations, and helps ensure patient safety and specimen integrity.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- 0–1 years of related work experience.
- Basic familiarity with computers and ability to navigate web-based applications at a basic level.
- Ability to follow instructions, standard practices, procedures, and safety directions.
- Ability to read and write in English and communicate effectively in basic English.
- Ability to interact respectfully with coworkers, professional staff, external contacts, patients, and families.
- Ability to stand and/or move around for most of the shift and exert up to 50 pounds occasionally or up to 20 pounds frequently.
- 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, and add requested tests to the appropriate specimen type.
- Identify, label, package, and appropriately handle specimens according to protocols and safety procedures.
- Process routine and STAT specimens, including processing and aliquoting specimens to meet service goals.
- Store specimens in appropriate locations, maintain specimen integrity, and retrieve specimens for add-on testing.
- Maintain slides and blocks in alphabetical and numerical order, and maintain spreadsheets and tables tracking the file system.
- Track cases and other materials leaving the department and their return to the files.
- Retrieve slides and blocks according to departmental priorities for additional testing, consultation, conferences, research, and teaching.
- Ensure cases sent outside the hospital for additional testing include the final pathology report, patient demographics, and billing information, and follow BIDMC policy and turnaround-time expectations.
- Coordinate slides for pathologist review and retrieve the associated block for patient testing.
- Answer telephone calls promptly and courteously.
- Maintain a clean and well-stocked work area.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
