Medical Lab Assistant

MyMichigan Health•Midland, MI

27d

About The Position

Laboratory assistants work under the direct supervision of a medical technologist (Medical Laboratory Specialist), a pathologist, or another qualified physician. They perform pre-analytical, post-analytical, and analytical tasks in histology, cytology, microbiology, and the general laboratory. Duties vary by site and include supporting clinical testing, preparing and processing specimens, maintaining records and inventory, registering patients, and entering information into hospital and laboratory systems. The role requires adherence to laboratory policies, confidentiality requirements, infection prevention and control practices, and applicable Federal CLIA, CAP, and OSHA regulations. The assistant serves patients ranging in age from birth to 100+ years and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) (ASCP) credential required within 12 months of hire or transfer into the role.
High school diploma or equivalent and one of the following ASCP-eligible combinations: completion of a NAACLS-approved Clinical Assistant program within the last five years; completion of a 50-week U.S. military medical laboratory training course within the last ten years; or two years of full-time clinical laboratory experience.
Alternatively, a high school diploma or equivalent, an associate degree or 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) from a regionally accredited college including at least six semester hours of chemistry and six semester hours of biology, and one year of full-time clinical laboratory experience.
Alternatively, a high school diploma or equivalent, valid PBT (ASCP) certification, and one year of full-time clinical laboratory experience.
Alternatively, high school graduation or equivalent, completion within the last five years of an acceptable two-part formal structured medical laboratory assistant program consisting of classroom and clinical laboratory training, and six months of full-time clinical laboratory experience.
Clinical laboratory experience used to meet the ASCP examination requirement must cover specimen preparation and processing, support for clinical testing, and laboratory operations within the applicable timeframe.
Organization skills, manual dexterity, customer service skills, communication skills, teamwork skills, and computer skills.
Demonstrated competency in Microsoft Windows; employees may be required to participate in additional learning opportunities.
Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including latex materials or an appropriate substitute if required.
Ability to move freely about the facility, with or without an assistive device, and perform the job functions described.
Overall vision and hearing, with or without assistive devices; ability to handle multiple tasks, work with others and independently, maintain regular and predictable attendance, and stay awake.
Dexterity for handling, reaching, grasping, fingering, and feeling, including repeated movements.
Ability to occasionally lift or carry 11–20 pounds, frequently handle 10 pounds, and walk, stand, or push/pull arm or leg controls.

Nice To Haves

Six months of experience in a clinical or microbiology laboratory and/or one year of experience handling biological specimens.
Medical terminology and knowledge of laboratory policies, procedures, and protocols.
Knowledge of MISYS LIS, HIS, and admitting policies and procedures.
A laboratory department job shadow may be required depending on departmental experience.

Responsibilities

Perform waived and point-of-care testing, report results, and support clinical testing according to site needs.
Prepare tissue specimens and enter related information into the laboratory information system for technical personnel and the pathologist; assist with inventory management.
Prepare urine specimens and analyzers for testing in chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, and blood bank; monitor inventory, load supplies and specimens, and empty waste.
Prepare and stain slides for bacteriologic study, plate specimens on specified media, prepare specimens and analyzers for testing, and assist with microbiology inventory.
Maintain accurate temperature, quality-control, and other required records; assist with pending logs.
Identify and label specimens; assess specimen acceptability, prioritize and distribute specimens, and arrange appropriate storage, transport, and special handling.
Prepare specimens for processing, including centrifugation and aliquoting, and perform venipunctures.
Register patients and accurately enter data into hospital and laboratory information systems.
Follow laboratory policies and procedures, maintain medical confidentiality, and follow patient registration, billing, and coding procedures where required.
Demonstrate competency in infection prevention and control practices and policies.
Perform and interpret quality control; handle critical values and STAT results; retrieve and report results.
Process reagents, standards, and controls; operate analytical instrumentation, including loading, initiating tests, recognizing and reporting errors, diluting specimens, and performing calibrations.
Review, clarify, and verify physician orders.
Comply with applicable Federal CLIA, CAP, and OSHA regulations, safety and infection-control requirements, and waste-disposal procedures.
Provide for age-specific patient needs according to department standards and policies.
Perform other duties as assigned.