Laboratory Technician - Full Time - Evenings

Nebraska Methodist Hospital•Omaha, NE

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Nebraska Methodist Health System is seeking a Laboratory Technician to provide technical and pre-analytic support services for designated divisions of laboratory technical operations and outreach client support services. This role involves specimen evaluation and processing, problem-solving, exception handling, reporting, supply maintenance, and customer service. The technician will perform specimen accessioning, labeling, and storage, as well as data entry for identification numbers. Key responsibilities include the basic operation of the Automation System, communicating with hospital and clinic staff regarding specimen requirements and requests, managing outpatient orders, and projecting a professional image. This position serves as a supportive link between customers and other hospital departments, requiring the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced team environment.

Requirements

High School Diploma or General Educational Development (G.E.D.) required.
Ability to effectively utilize personal computer, and standard office applications.
Knowledge of computers.
Knowledge of HL7 interface.
Ability to organize and prioritize work demands, and handle multiple tasks.
Knowledge of basic specimen collection, selection, handling, and storage activities.
Must exhibit good customer service skills.
Ability to handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Exhibits proficiency in core stations as outlined in Level I, and in order to move to Level II, must show proficiency in the following areas: Send out bench rotation, Research processing, 8100 operation and shift maintenance, Ability to cover overnight shift, Care Evolve general client maintenance, Client services including phone coverage.
Process (i.e. centrifuge, aliquot, distribute, store) patient specimens appropriately, and in a safe manner to ensure accurate, and timely test results by following section policies and procedures.
Perform Laboratory Information System (LIS), and Electronic Health Record (EHR) computer functions accurately to complete daily tasks.
Properly processes, and distributes specimens following collection.
Perform all specimen processing functions to receive, and process specimens according to laboratory protocol including, but not limited to: Identification and preparation for the automation line. Preparing specimens to be sent to the reference laboratories. Label specimens, and order documents using proper patient identification techniques.
Accurately enter patient information (i.e. demographics, test orders, test results) in the computer to ensure timely reports to caregivers.
Compliant per Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines 100% of the time.
Accommodates patient, and laboratory needs by professionally responding to requests for flexibility in duties, schedules, and staffing.
Maintain section materials, supplies, and equipment by following section policies.
Prepares specimens for send out to reference laboratory, including communication with the reference laboratory in regard to proper specimen handling, and exceptions.
Responsible for ordering testing, and preparing specimens for shipment.
Maintains compliance with established processes (i.e. turnaround time expectations, etc.) while collecting or handling specimens, orders, and results.
Operate equipment for which they have received applicable training, and supervisor approval to perform.
Performs, and ensures routine maintenance is completed, and documented 100% of the time.
Responsible for operation, and troubleshooting of the automation line, patient storage tracking, and managing all exceptions, and recover specimens from AOB.
Accurately perform, and evaluate appropriateness of patient specimens.
Prioritize, and organize work to facilitate the timely, and accurate completion of multiple tasks simultaneously by assessing the urgency of the tasks, and the time required to complete them.
Identify problems, and initiate immediate follow-up as necessary with the Technical Coordinator, Section Leader, or Medical Director(s) to ensure accurate, timely laboratory services by using critical thinking skills, and decisive judgment.
Process send-out specimens to provide accurate transfer of information, and maintain optimal specimen integrity.
Anatomic Pathology: Properly identify, label, process, and distribute specimens using standard protocol.
Respond appropriately to internal, and external customer needs, and communicates any problems or issues to them.
Assists with pathology send outs, assuring that the appropriate specimen is split between departments, and that appropriate demographic information is submitted with the specimen.
Assist with training of new staff, and MLS students.
Communicate any problems or issues with the client or patient care team.
Assures continuity of service by assisting other phlebotomists or imaging and access registration to maintain overall customer satisfaction.
Utilizes the LIS to monitor the appropriate test pending logs, and communicate to the technical staff to ensure testing is not delayed.
Reviews the daily discern lists for completed reports, and scan any manual reports into the patient's medical record.
Manage client test results according to established procedures.
Manage all outpatient orders, and support all order questions from clients, and imaging and access draw stations.
Obtain verbal orders from providers according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) if not orders submitted to outpatient folder.
Explains collection processes and procedures to patients, clients, and patient's families.
Answer incoming calls with professional courtesy, and prompt response when follow-up is needed.
Call/page critical values to the provider, and complete documentation of all calls in the EHR for all send out results.
Utilize the EMR to efficiently complete add on tests requests, or to confer with the provider if the add on tests cannot be completed.
Call all specimen rejection problems to the provider.
Scan all manual requisitions into the patient''s EMR, and maintain filing system for paperwork, and all transfer lists, and add on forms according to specific training guidelines.
Fill, and pack all supply orders for the outreach clients, and communicate any questions about the order, delays in shipping, or back orders as required.
Accommodates patient, and laboratory needs by professionally responding to requests for flexibility in duties, schedules, and staffing.
Review, and release patient laboratory orders in the EHR including add on requests, phone calls from clients, physicians, ED, floor, surgery, and outpatients.
Manage new providers that need to be added to Cerner, and Care Evolve.
Manage, and merge duplicate MRN's in Cerner from Care Evolve clients.
Manage the send out lists, unlisted orders, and check orders to make sure interface is transmitting correct information.
Document orientation, training, and education to ensure employee competence, provide excellent services, and meet accreditation requirements by effective verbal or written communication.
Organizational, and department competencies are completed 100% of the time.
Evidence that new procedures, and major procedure revisions are read, and understood.
Assists in training new, and existing staff including the review, and completion of orientation checklists, and skill/training checklists.
Supports the education of clinical laboratory scientist students.
Communicates efficiently by answering telephones, taking messages, calling clients for test clarification, and forwarding information or call to appropriate staff.
Appropriate communication skill as directly observed by Service Leader or designee.
Phone calls are acted upon promptly, and handled in a professional manner per the customer service protocol as directly observed.
Employee brings issues of concern directly to the appropriate Service Leader or designee's attention as directly observed.