Medical Lab Assistant II Microbiology

Lexington Medical Center • West Columbia, SC

5d

About The Position

The Medical Laboratory Assistant II performs advanced specimen collection, processing, and pre-analytical laboratory functions to support accurate and timely diagnostic testing in the clinical laboratory. The role independently manages complex registration, specimen handling, and laboratory workflows; ensures compliance with regulatory, safety, and quality standards; and serves as a resource to patients, clinical staff, and entry-level laboratory personnel. The assistant demonstrates proficiency across laboratory computer systems, including EPIC, provides high-quality customer service, supports problem resolution, and assists with training, workflow coordination, and quality improvement activities while maintaining a safe, organized, and efficient laboratory environment.

This position is part-time on the PM shift, 1500–2330, with rotating weekends. The posting includes duties specific to outpatient and outreach settings, and duties that apply only to Cytology or Anatomic Pathology when relevant.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences or equivalent.
• At least six months of experience in a laboratory setting, or equivalent customer service or general office experience.
• Alternatively, an associate degree and at least three years of clinical or anatomic pathology laboratory experience; or a high school diploma or equivalent and five years of experience working in a clinical laboratory setting at LMC.
• Excellent computer knowledge and skills.
• Ability to meet the position's specimen handling, laboratory workflow, customer service, safety, and regulatory responsibilities.
• Ability to work the assigned PM shift, 1500–2330, with rotating weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Interest and skills in biological sciences.
• Background in medical terminology.

Responsibilities

• Greet patients and representatives professionally and courteously; obtain identification, insurance information, and physician orders to complete registration.
• Instruct patients or representatives on preparation for and collection of self-collected tests, such as stool, urine, and semen.
• Perform venipuncture and capillary punctures for patients of various ages using developmentally appropriate techniques in Outpatient Lab and Outreach settings.
• Order, receive, track, and deliver specimens to testing departments and designated holding locations; manage storage and disposal of patient samples, testing materials, and slides.
• Ensure specimens are properly labeled for accurate patient identification.
• Answer telephone inquiries and provide guidance with excellent communication and customer service.
• Monitor department pending and overdue lists by searching for and locating items, following up, and filing appropriate documentation.
• For Outreach, collect urine specimens under Department of Transportation guidelines for federal transportation or client post-accident collections, following chain-of-custody protocols.
• Respond to laboratory testing inquiries, troubleshoot and resolve problems, and notify a lead, charge person, supervisor, or manager of significant problems as applicable.
• Prepare, process, store, and dispose of biologically hazardous reagents, chemicals, and specimens in accordance with regulatory and safety policies and procedures.
• Independently interpret verbal and written physician orders and communicate with physicians and other medical personnel to clarify orders or incomplete requisitions.
• Maintain competence in policies, procedures, IT systems, system upgrades, and middleware changes; use reference laboratory portals to navigate patient orders and results where applicable.
• Assist professional clinical laboratory staff, including pathologists, cytotechnologists, pathology assistants, and medical laboratory scientists.
• Work assigned hours and prioritize and organize workload to meet departmental needs and deadlines.
• Delegate day-to-day workload among available personnel to support coverage and efficiency.
• Apply appropriate charge codes as part of revenue responsibilities.
• For Cytology only, schedule CT- and ultrasound-guided FNAs and pathologist-performed FNAs, and assist, instruct, and prepare patients for FNA procedures.
• For Anatomic Pathology only, file, archive, and retrieve slides and blocks.
• When applicable, scan results, enter results by transcribing cytotechnologist and pathologist final diagnoses into report format, and encode results for future reference.
• Adapt to changes in the work environment, job situation, and job requirements; work independently and as a team member.
• Maintain a professional image and provide excellent customer service to patients, visitors, physicians, and coworkers.
• Follow hospital and laboratory policies, including Parking, Softech, UKG, and eTrain requirements.
• Comply with regulatory and safety requirements, including those of CLIA, CAP, FDA, OSHA, DNV, and the South Carolina Department of Public Health; maintain a clean and orderly work area.
• Demonstrate competence in developmentally appropriate care for infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.
• Organize pending workload and process various specimen types for interpretive review.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot instruments and document events, including temperature or humidity as required.
• Prepare and maintain reports, including abnormal patient result lists and QA/QC logs.
• Ensure hazardous waste and hazardous-waste pharmaceuticals are segregated, stored, labeled, and closed appropriately before offsite disposal; complete initial RCRA training within six months of hire and annual training thereafter.
• Perform additional duties as assigned and requested.

Benefits

• Day-one medical, dental, and life insurance benefits for benefit-eligible employees and their families.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Eligibility to enroll in the 403(b) match plan on day one; LHI matches dollar for dollar up to 6%.
• Employer-paid life insurance equal to one times salary.
• Option to elect supplemental life insurance with low-cost premiums up to three times salary.
• Adoption assistance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage for full-time employees after 90 days of eligible employment.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Student loan forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level