Laboratory Assistant

LCMC Health•Metairie, LA

About The Position

The Laboratory Assistant performs waived patient testing and general laboratory support, including daily temperature checks, analyzer maintenance, calibrations, and quality control for waived tests. The position supports specimen collection, handling, receipt, and delivery, while maintaining accurate patient and specimen records and following laboratory and organizational procedures. The role serves patients of all ages and includes responding to applicable code teams, answering phone calls, and providing customer service. Weekend and holiday work is required as assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Accurately complete and maintain patient documents and records.
Understand and follow specific clinical protocols.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
American Heart Association BLS-HCP is required if assigned to Client Services/phlebotomy at University Medical Center.

Nice To Haves

Previous laboratory assistant experience preferred.
Preferred: Basic Life Support Health Care Provider certification from the American Heart Association.

Responsibilities

Perform waived patient testing.
Perform daily temperature checks, analyzer maintenance, calibrations, and quality control for waived tests.
Notify appropriate testing staff when expected quality control values are not achieved or quality control ranges are exceeded.
Ensure department supplies are stocked and available.
Perform venipuncture and skin puncture on patients of all age groups according to department SOP.
Verify patient identity using at least two identifiers when collecting and labeling specimens at the bedside in the patient's presence.
Label aliquots using at least two patient identifiers.
Transcribe orders from outside providers as necessary.
Respond to applicable code teams as needed.
Follow blood and body fluid universal special precautions outlined by laboratory and organizational policies.
Use handheld devices for specimen collection according to SOP.
Monitor collection lists and document the status of outstanding collections.
Monitor expected lists for pending laboratory tests.
Answer phone calls and demonstrate appropriate customer service skills.
Work weekends and holidays as assigned.
Ensure specimen collection supplies are available and within expiration dates.
Notify laboratory leadership when supplies are below thresholds or expiration dates are approaching.
Stock supplies when deliveries are received and stock phlebotomy carts for the next shift.
Update specimens to received status and ensure collection date/time, collector, and receipt date/time are accurate.
Deliver specimens to the appropriate laboratory section.
Communicate complaints or problems to the department supervisor.
Accurately complete and maintain patient documents and records, and follow clinical protocols while communicating effectively orally and in writing.