Laboratory Assistant I/II - Per Diem

Geisinger • Scranton, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Join Geisinger Medical Laboratories to support exceptional patient care through innovative, efficient, and high-quality laboratory services. The Laboratory Assistant assesses, accessions, and processes patient specimens in preparation for testing across Laboratory Medicine sections. The role handles potentially infectious specimens safely and in compliance with regulatory standards, verifies specimen suitability and order accuracy, prepares and delivers specimens, and supports specimen storage, retrieval, and referral testing. The position also performs related computer, quality-control, equipment, inventory, communication, and departmental duties. Work is typically performed in a clinical environment.

The Laboratory Assistant I level is for candidates with less than one year of experience and a high school diploma or GED. Laboratory Assistant II requires at least one year of experience, or an accepted substitute such as a related clinical-science degree, qualifying enrollment in a related degree program, or ASCP Medical Laboratory Assistant certification.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• For Laboratory Assistant I: less than one year of experience.
• For Laboratory Assistant II: at least one year of laboratory experience, or an accepted substitute qualification.
• Laboratory experience is listed as a minimum of one year in the experience section.
• Communication skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Laboratory equipment operation skills.
• Laboratory information systems (LIS) skills.
• Laboratory services knowledge.
• Laboratory supply and inventory management skills.
• Ability to safely handle potentially infectious specimens and comply with applicable regulatory standards.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in a related field of study.
• Bachelor's or associate degree in a clinical or related science field as a substitute for Laboratory Assistant II experience.
• Enrollment in a clinical or related science associate or bachelor's degree program with at least two semesters completed, including introductory biology or chemistry, as a substitute for Laboratory Assistant II experience.
• ASCP Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) certification, accepted as a substitute for Laboratory Assistant II experience.

Responsibilities

• Assess, accession, and process patient specimens in preparation for testing in Laboratory Medicine sections.
• Safely handle potentially infectious blood, body fluids, body tissues, and other patient specimens in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Assess specimen suitability and acceptability, and reject unacceptable specimens according to established protocols.
• Match order information with specimen information to support accuracy and patient safety.
• Accession and report results through appropriate computer applications; correctly assign billing numbers, location codes, and physician numbers.
• Verify physician orders when test requests are unclear.
• Prepare specimens, including centrifugation, aliquoting, and labeling, and deliver them promptly to the appropriate testing area.
• Use laboratory programs to store, locate, retrieve, and process specimens for additional testing.
• Maintain computer logs, quality control, disinfection procedures, and assigned departmental duties.
• Respond to phone inquiries and provide appropriate information about specimen collection, transport, and patient results.
• Navigate and access multiple computer applications as needed.
• Assist with packaging, ordering, and referral of specimens to reference laboratories in compliance with applicable transportation and carrier regulations.
• Troubleshoot missing specimens and other preanalytical errors, including reviewing courier logs and specimen archives.
• Maintain equipment, participate in preventive maintenance, and alert a supervisor to equipment problems.
• Handle, store, and maintain supplies properly and notify a supervisor when inventory is low.
• Complete initial and periodic competency assessments for assigned job functions.
• Comply with job-specific obligations and organizational policies and procedures.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with automatic Geisinger contributions.
• Free Care.com membership with discounted backup care.
• Employee Assistance Program with childcare, eldercare, and pet-care referrals; legal guidance; mental health visits; work-life support; and digital self-help tools.
• MyHealth Rewards wellness program.
• Healthcare benefits for full-time and part-time positions from day one, including vision and dental coverage and domestic-partner benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED