Laboratory Assistant

CommonSpirit Health•Lufkin, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

St. Luke’s Health – Memorial Lufkin is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to work primarily in the lab specimen processing/intake department. This role involves assisting with specimen management and clerical duties, and may include blood collection and specimen processing. Depending on regulations, the assistant may also perform waived or moderately complex testing. The position requires a commitment to positive patient identification, HumanKindness, and effective communication. The assistant will be responsible for maintaining department workflow, fostering teamwork, and ensuring efficient processing and distribution of specimens. Handling laboratory send-out testing, including processing, organizing, and packaging for external laboratories, is also a key responsibility. Problem-solving and seeking assistance when needed are important. Phlebotomy duties may be performed, including venous and capillary punctures on all age groups, adhering to collection procedures and volume requirements. The role may also involve assisting with phlebotomy training. As permitted by regulations, the assistant may perform CLIA waived and moderately complex laboratory testing, evaluate and release test results under supervision, and perform routine equipment maintenance. Monitoring supply inventory and assisting with stocking and reagent logs are also part of the role.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED upon hire
BLS-CPR within 90 days
Excellent customer service and time management skills

Nice To Haves

Lab Assistant Program certification
Phlebotomy program certificate
6 months experience in an acute care facility

Responsibilities

Practices positive patient identification at all times, in all job functions.
Practices HumanKindness and courtesy with all patient and co-worker interactions.
Establishes and maintains good communication within the department and with other hospital departments.
Takes responsibility for the department workflow, assists all members of the team to maintain department workflow and efficiency.
Creates an atmosphere by manner, work and deed that fosters teamwork and collaboration.
Processes specimen into the lab, organized for department distribution.
Moves processed samples quickly to laboratory departments for testing.
Handles Laboratory Send-out testing.
Processes, organizes, packing lists and packaging for testing sent to external laboratories according to procedures.
Uses good judgment when problem solving and requests help when needed.
May perform phlebotomy.
Follows blood collection procedures, performs venous and capillary punctures on all age groups of inpatient and outpatient populations, including blood bank collections.
Utilizes appropriate collection techniques to obtain quality samples and adheres to appropriate volume requirements.
May assist with phlebotomy training under the direction of the supervisor and/or coordinator.
As allowed by local and state regulations, may perform CLIA waived and moderately complex laboratory testing following written technical policies and procedures.
Evaluates and releases test results under the direction of a Clinical Lab Scientist.
Evaluates result validity considering quality control results, instrument performance, specimen integrity and prior patient results.
Performs routine maintenance on lab equipment and maintains records as trained.
Monitors department supply inventory and assists in stocking, completes reagent logs.