Laboratory Technician - Full Time - Evenings

Nebraska Methodist Hospital•Omaha, NE

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Technician provides technical and pre-analytic support for designated laboratory technical operations and outreach client services. Duties include evaluating and processing specimens, resolving problems and exceptions, reporting, maintaining supplies, and providing customer service. The role performs specimen accessioning, sorting, labeling, storage, data entry, and basic operation of laboratory automation systems. It also supports communication with hospital and clinic staff about specimen requirements, orders, and other requests, including management of outpatient orders. The technician is expected to present a professional image across phone, electronic, written, and in-person interactions and to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. The position processes and distributes patient specimens according to laboratory protocols, performs LIS and EHR functions, prepares reference-laboratory send-outs, and operates and maintains trained automation equipment. Additional work includes troubleshooting automation and specimen-tracking issues, prioritizing concurrent tasks, escalating problems, and supporting anatomic pathology, client services, laboratory informatics, and interface functions. The technician may assist with onboarding and training staff and students, handle client and patient inquiries, manage test orders and results, and document training and competencies. The position is based at Nebraska Methodist Hospital, 8303 Dodge Street, Omaha, Nebraska. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with rotating weekends once a month.

Requirements

Ability to use a personal computer and standard office applications; knowledge of computers.
Knowledge of HL7 interfaces.
Ability to organize and prioritize work demands and handle multiple tasks.
Knowledge of basic specimen collection, selection, handling, and storage activities.
Good customer service skills and the ability to handle stressful situations calmly and professionally.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred; a high school diploma or equivalent is required for CAP surveyors only.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience as a phlebotomist, data-entry worker, or specimen processor in a clinical laboratory or physician office.

Responsibilities

Process, evaluate, accession, sort, label, store, and distribute patient specimens safely and according to laboratory policies and procedures.
Enter and verify patient demographic information, test orders, and results in laboratory and electronic health record systems.
Prepare specimens for automation and reference laboratories, including arranging testing, shipment, and appropriate specimen handling.
Operate approved laboratory equipment and automation systems; perform and document routine maintenance and troubleshoot exceptions.
Prioritize multiple tasks to support accurate and timely laboratory services and escalate problems to appropriate technical or medical leaders.
Support anatomic pathology workflows, including identifying, labeling, processing, distributing, and preparing pathology send-outs.
Respond to client, patient, and care-team requests; answer calls, clarify orders, communicate specimen issues, and explain collection procedures.
Manage outpatient orders, add-on requests, pending test logs, send-out results, critical-value notifications, specimen rejections, and related documentation.
Review and release laboratory orders in the EHR; maintain provider and client information, manage duplicate medical record numbers, and check interface transmission.
Scan and file manual requisitions and reports, maintain transfer lists and forms, and prepare and pack outreach client supply orders.
Assist with training new and existing staff and laboratory students, and document orientation, training, education, and competencies.
Accommodate operational needs by responding professionally to requests for flexibility in duties, schedules, and staffing.