Laboratory Assistant

HCA Healthcare•Gainesville, FL

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Assistant / Lab Assistant / Phlebotomist performs non-technical laboratory functions under the supervision of a department supervisor, manager, or director. Duties may include collecting and processing specimens, registering patients, and submitting and monitoring specimens sent to referral laboratories. The role follows written procedures and regulatory requirements and supports departmental goals related to service, quality, regulatory compliance, financial performance, patient satisfaction, workplace environment, and collaboration across departments. The position requires proficiency in specimen collection and handling, including venipunctures and/or finger sticks for pediatric, neonatal, adult, and geriatric patients, and heel sticks for infants as required by the patient population. The assistant also performs documentation, registration and order entry, clerical work, specimen preparation and referral tracking, preventive maintenance and quality assurance tasks, and other duties as assigned. The role requires effective communication, customer service, attention to safety and confidentiality, and availability to work during disasters.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience performing registration, clerical duties, and specimen processing for send-out testing.
Ability to interact with coworkers in a team environment and promote a harmonious, cooperative workplace.
Demonstrated excellent customer service in all interactions.
Ability to communicate effectively with personnel to exchange accurate and timely technical information.
Ability to follow safety policies and procedures and protect confidential information.

Nice To Haves

Vocational or technical degree preferred.
One to three years of experience in a clinical laboratory setting preferred.
Phlebotomy, Medical Assistant, Paramedic, or EMT certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Collect specimens using venipunctures, finger sticks, and heel sticks as appropriate for the patient population.
Follow established patient identification and specimen collection procedures, and complete required collection documentation.
Explain specimen collection procedures to patients and/or family members before collection.
Use supplies appropriately and follow specimen collection, testing, and rejection requirements.
Use the computer information system for job-related functions.
Perform clerical duties, including faxing, answering phones, using the pneumatic tube system, and preparing reports.
Prioritize duties and plan for their completion.
Review Outstanding Specimen Reports and pending specimen collection, accessioning, and referral testing issues, and take appropriate action.
Receive specimens into the laboratory information system and perform registration and order entry accurately and promptly when requested.
Label, centrifuge, and aliquot specimens according to established protocols and testing orders.
Prepare specimens for courier pickup, including special instructions from physician orders.
Discard laboratory specimens according to the established schedule.
Perform assigned preventive maintenance and quality assurance procedures.
Collect chain-of-custody drug specimens according to established policy when required.
Maintain records and documentation of specimen and other problems, and take corrective action to ensure testing validity and accuracy.
Clean areas affected by emergency specimen spills.
Assess specimen requirements for referral testing and troubleshoot specimen or order-entry issues.
Process, sort, and prepare specimens for referral laboratories according to test requirements.
Monitor referred testing and follow up to ensure results are received and made available to physicians within established turnaround times.
Communicate and troubleshoot problem specimens promptly, including communicating with customers, floors, and physicians about problem or pending specimens as needed.
Follow safety policies and procedures, protect sensitive and confidential information, adhere to company security standards, and complete assigned annual courses and training.
Be available to work during disasters.

Benefits

Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health, and telemedicine benefits.
Free counseling and referral services.
Paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage, and leaves of absence.
401(k) plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay, based on years of service.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan and flexible spending accounts.
Preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support, and financial wellbeing counseling.
Tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships, and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing.
Fertility and family-building benefits and adoption assistance.
Life insurance and supplemental health protection plans.
Auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection, and consumer discounts.