Laboratory Assistant

Lifepoint Health • McMinnville, OR

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Performs venipuncture and specimen collection/processing; completes chain-of-custody collections and breath alcohol testing as required; supports order entry and clerical workflows; answers laboratory phones and provides customer service; assists with inventory of phlebotomy supplies. Reports to the Director or Manager of Department. FLSA: Non-Exempt.

Essential Functions
Review providers’ orders, quick-register patients when needed, and enter appropriate laboratory tests per requisition. Verify patient identity using two patient identifiers prior to all collections. Obtain blood specimens via venipuncture, finger stick, or heel stick; collect urine, throat, and nasal specimens per policy. Label specimens with at least two identifiers plus date/time and collector initials; ensure specimen integrity and proper handling/transport. Perform chain-of-custody urine drug screen collections and breath alcohol testing per policy. Coordinate therapeutic drug-monitoring collections with nursing to align dose and draw time. Resolve unusual/unclear test orders by contacting the ordering provider, pathologist, nursing station, or reference lab; escalate unresolved issues to the supervisor. Process specimens and distribute to appropriate internal lab sections or ship to reference laboratories according to policy. Maintain par levels and assist with weekly departmental inventory of supplies. Participate in performance improvement and required education; perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Information
Populations Served: Neonate, Infant, Early Childhood, Late Childhood, Adolescent, Young Adult, Middle Adult, Older Adult. Protected Health Information Accessed: Demographic, Clinical, Insurance, Financial, Complete Medical Record. Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure: Occupational exposure may be present for all employees in this role.

Physical Requirements (typical):
Frequent standing, walking, sitting, reaching, keyboard entry, and repetitive hand/arm movements; occasional kneeling and squatting; occasional pushing/pulling and lifting/carrying up to 25 lbs; rare higher-weight pushes/pulls or lifts; rare climbing/running. Near/far vision and depth perception constant; color distinction frequent.

Environmental Exposures:
Frequent contact with blood/bodily fluids; occasional exposure to biohazardous waste, communicable diseases/pathogens, dust, gases/vapors/fumes, hazardous chemicals/medications; latex exposure occasional.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Education: High School diploma preferred. License/Certification: Phlebotomy Certification preferred. Skills: Critical thinking, decisive judgment, ability to work with minimal supervision in a stressful environment; rapid learning and navigation of multiple software systems; effective English communication (read/write/speak); ability to complete the Skills Competency Checklist within 90 days of hire.

Requirements

• High School diploma preferred
• Phlebotomy Certification preferred
• Critical thinking
• Decisive judgment
• Ability to work with minimal supervision in a stressful environment
• Rapid learning and navigation of multiple software systems
• Effective English communication (read/write/speak)
• Ability to complete the Skills Competency Checklist within 90 days of hire

Responsibilities

• Performs venipuncture and specimen collection/processing
• Completes chain-of-custody collections and breath alcohol testing
• Supports order entry and clerical workflows
• Answers laboratory phones and provides customer service
• Assists with inventory of phlebotomy supplies
• Review providers’ orders, quick-register patients when needed, and enter appropriate laboratory tests per requisition
• Verify patient identity using two patient identifiers prior to all collections
• Obtain blood specimens via venipuncture, finger stick, or heel stick; collect urine, throat, and nasal specimens per policy
• Label specimens with at least two identifiers plus date/time and collector initials; ensure specimen integrity and proper handling/transport
• Perform chain-of-custody urine drug screen collections and breath alcohol testing per policy
• Coordinate therapeutic drug-monitoring collections with nursing to align dose and draw time
• Resolve unusual/unclear test orders by contacting the ordering provider, pathologist, nursing station, or reference lab; escalate unresolved issues to the supervisor
• Process specimens and distribute to appropriate internal lab sections or ship to reference laboratories according to policy
• Maintain par levels and assist with weekly departmental inventory of supplies
• Participate in performance improvement and required education
• Perform other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

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