Medical Lab Assistant

Emory Healthcare•Atlanta, GA

3h•$21 - $25

About The Position

Performs and evaluates semi-technical laboratory procedures on patient specimens, test materials and reagents, blood products, and quality-control materials. Works in various areas of the clinical and anatomic pathology laboratories. Duties may include patient registration, test ordering, sample collection, and assessing whether samples are acceptable for testing. Processes samples through centrifugation, aliquoting, storage, and shipping, and supports clinical testing through slide preparation, instrument loading, result reporting, and potentially waived and point-of-care testing. Provides customer service throughout pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes, and communicates with nursing services, physicians, procurement agencies, and others about laboratory specimen testing. Reviews patient information and test orders, operates departmental computer programs, follows up on incomplete information or questionable orders, reconciles unresolved orders, checks logs and summaries, and cancels tests when authorized. Receives, registers, tracks, labels, and processes specimens accurately and promptly. Verifies delivery, packaging, labeling, and collection requirements; takes action on unacceptable specimens; maintains computerized records; preserves specimen integrity; prioritizes processing within required time frames; and prepares referral specimens for shipment. Resolves registration, collection, and processing problems using procedure manuals or reference materials. Maintains commonly used supplies and may order them. Routinely uses laboratory equipment and instruments, troubleshoots and arranges repairs or service, performs preventive maintenance and calibration, and assists with setting up and validating new equipment. Participates in quality activities and improvement initiatives, maintains complete documentation and quality data, and complies with accreditation requirements. Follows universal precautions, barrier protection, infection-control, isolation, sterile-technique, and other safety requirements. Escalates issues to supervisory staff, may assist with onboarding, may perform venipuncture, attends relevant training, and works with a leader on professional development. Performs other duties as required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and two years of experience; a degree in Biology, Science, or a related major may be considered in lieu of experience.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands: lifting up to 50 pounds, carrying objects up to 25 pounds, and performing the specified standing, walking, sitting, and close-eye-work tasks.

Responsibilities

Perform and evaluate semi-technical laboratory procedures on patient specimens, test materials and reagents, blood products, and quality-control materials.
Register patients, order tests, collect samples, and assess sample acceptability as assigned.
Process samples through centrifugation, aliquoting, storage, and shipping; support clinical testing through slide preparation, instrument loading, and result reporting.
Provide customer service throughout pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes; communicate testing information and issues to relevant personnel and agencies.
Review patient information and test orders; use departmental computer programs to receive and order tests, follow up on incomplete information or questionable orders, reconcile outstanding orders, check logs, and cancel tests when authorized.
Verify courier deliveries; enter specimen tracking, laboratory data, and patient information; receive and register specimens accurately and promptly.
Verify specimen packaging, labeling, and collection requirements; initiate appropriate action for unacceptable specimens; maintain records and troubleshoot outstanding specimens.
Label and process specimens while preserving sample integrity, prioritizing work to meet required time frames, and preparing referral specimens for shipment.
Resolve problems with specimen registration, collection, or processing using procedure manuals or reference materials.
Maintain commonly used supplies, inspect supply levels, and potentially order supplies.
Use laboratory equipment and instruments; troubleshoot, arrange repairs or service, perform preventive maintenance and calibration, and assist with equipment setup and validation.
Participate in quality activities and improvement initiatives; maintain documentation and collect quality data in compliance with accreditation requirements.
Follow universal precautions, infection-control and isolation procedures, sterile technique, and laboratory and organizational safety requirements.
Escalate issues, problems, and opportunities to supervisory staff.
Assist with onboarding new staff as requested; potentially perform venipuncture.
Attend educational in-services and training classes and work with a leader on a professional-development plan.
Perform other duties as required.