Laboratory Support Technician - Full-Time

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

The Laboratory Support Technician works with technical staff in the laboratory to support analytic activities by completing tasks required before specimen analysis. Duties may vary by location and by the services provided by the hiring department. The position is scheduled Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with no weekend or holiday work. UPMC uses a Laboratory Career Ladder to place candidates at the appropriate level and status based on education and background.

Requirements

Meet one of the following qualification pathways: High school diploma or equivalent and at least 2 years of experience as a Specimen Processor or equivalent in a clinical laboratory; an associate degree with biology and chemistry coursework and at least 1 year of such experience; Phlebotomy or Medical Assistant certification and at least 1 year of such experience; successful completion of a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training course; a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in biological or clinical laboratory science; or current enrollment in an MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist) or equivalent training program with 3 years of college credits.
Have a valid driver's license if required by the department.

Nice To Haves

Medical Laboratory Assistant MLA (ASCP) or equivalent certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform all duties of a Specimen Processor, including answering phone inquiries, investigating specimen status and report disposition, and directing callers to additional resources as needed.
Receive, sort, prepare, and deliver testing-ready specimens to laboratory work areas for analysis.
Demonstrate a service-oriented approach by conveying courtesy, respect, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude in work situations.
Perform routine and basic instrument maintenance according to established protocols and record temperatures when required.
Assist with restocking supplies, maintaining optimal inventory, and keeping room-temperature, refrigerated, and frozen supply storage areas clean and orderly.
Prepare and replenish instrument reagents and consumables as needed.
Perform assigned quality assurance and quality control procedures.
Assist with specimen and slide storage and retrieval, check pending work lists, and investigate and resolve unprocessed work.
Decontaminate the work area and maintain a neat and clean working environment.
Keep glassware clean and dry, including testing for residue removal as needed.
Test and clean emergency eyewashes and showers as assigned.
Sort laboratory waste as needed and ensure proper disposal.
Transport specimens off-site and deliver supplies where required.
For Pennsylvania locations only: Prepare specimens at workstations for testing, including building worklists, checking specimens for acceptability (such as clots and QNS), aliquoting specimens, and loading and unloading specimens onto instruments.
For Pennsylvania locations only: Prepare microscopic slides and plant specimens in microbiologic growth media where required.