Laboratory Processor

San Juan Regional Medical Center•Farmington, NM

About The Position

Creating Life Better Here starts with you. At San Juan Regional Medical Center, we're more than a healthcare provider—we're a values-driven organization dedicated to delivering exceptional care. As a team member, you help fulfill our mission to make life better here for our community. The Central Processor is responsible for the coordination of all clinical laboratory pre-analytical services. This includes knowledge and competency in the following operation processes: Test requests (i.e., requirements for filling out test request forms, authorization to accept verbal orders, etc.), Specimen collection, Specimen Transport, Specimen Receipt/Processing and Reference Laboratory Testing. The knowledge of the aforementioned items and thoughtful anticipation of the lab’s needs regarding test requirements allows the Central Processor to better serve not only the patient but their co-workers as well. To help with team accountability the central processor is a communication link with all laboratory employees, hospital personnel, and other customers/clients. Required Behaviors: As you go about fulfilling this mission, your work habits and work relationships should embody SJRMC's values. These values are our culture, our identity as an organization. Sacred Trust, Personal Reverence, Thoughtful Anticipation, Team Accountability and Creative Vitality ask more of us than merely completing some list of tasks. Our values ask for a deeper level of commitment, and what is asked of us we freely give because we believe in our mission.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent
Minimum of six (6) months’ work experience in a medical laboratory
Articulate; good communication skills

Nice To Haves

Phlebotomy certification or adequate years of experience in phlebotomy/Order/Entry
Knowledge of computer keyboarding
Certification and training for transport with appropriate safety and packaging procedures suitable to specimen type and distance transported
A knowledge of infectious material management “Training/Certification” must be completed within six (6) months of hiring if not already certified
US International Air Transport Association (IATA) requires recertification training every (2) years
Working knowledge of laboratory and specimen processing
Good problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

The central processor is expected to order, receive, and distribute laboratory specimens to the various laboratory departments and reference laboratories
Duties include ordering, canceling, and un-cancelling of patient orders
Provides communication link from the hospital personnel and technologists, section supervisors and/or laboratory director
Maintains certification and skills for direct patient care. This also includes annual CEUs, safety and laboratory competency requirements.
Responsible for entering and monitoring all send-out specimens into Cerner in a timely and accurate manner
Responsible for submitting billing non-interfaced testing. Billing includes having the proper CPT codes as well as current pricing.
Responsible for maintaining laboratory error log in coordination with the Central Coordinator
Security access to LIS to complete required duties only
Understands the Medicare medical necessity procedure for collection of specimens and handling of Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN)
Authorized to accept and document verbal phone orders
Knowledge of laboratory testing and computer skills
Understands guidelines for emergency testing: Priority for patient specimen handling
Knowledge of computer downtime procedures
Competent with specimen identification standards according to CLSI/CMS/CAP
Competent with protocol for minimization of large draw volumes
Knowledge of the proper preservation, transport media, proper packaging, shipping, and handling, and the importance of prompt delivery of laboratory specimens
Has knowledge of storage requirements for specimen integrity
Has authority to access hospital information system to view confidential medical records in accordance with the HIPAA regulations
Orders, distributes, and stocks laboratory supplies
Collects and processes specimens in a manner that optimizes final test results. This includes: Patient preparation Verification of patient identification Application of patient identification system Instructions for blood and non-blood collections, including drug screen collections Competent skills in the collection of venous and capillary punctures on hospital patients, outpatients, and nursing home patients Special handling requests Timed specimen collections
Knowledge and competency in requirements for a test request. These include: Instructions for completion of test request forms. Instructions for clinical information. Instructions for specimen source. Instructions for diagnosis.
Is fully competent with specimen receipt and processing. This includes: Specimen accompanied by request Receipt date/time documented Specimen condition Unacceptable specimen rejection and notification Suboptimal material handling Unacceptable specimen disposition Cerner accessioning system, continued specimen identification, security, and integrity. Patient Identification (two patient identifiers)
Make sure that scheduling needs are communicated to the section supervisor or laboratory director and work with other processors for coverage
Participate in laboratory meetings
Demonstrates teamwork by example in day-to-day coordination of duties with other staff, by accepting equitable amount of callback, weekend, and holiday work assignments.
Scheduling conflicts are virtually always resolved through cooperative discussions with fellow staff members.
Successful performance will be monitored by specimens per year lost for testing due to unsatisfactory identification, improper collection, storage, or technique
Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job
Each employee is responsible for implementing SJRMC’s Service Standards into their daily work. Safety, Courtesy, Effectiveness, and Stewardship
Other duties as assigned