MLA - Hematology Lab

Yale New Haven Health•New Haven, CT

About The Position

The MLA is responsible for receiving and processing specimens, accessioning specimens in the laboratory information system, handling incoming phone calls, and assisting with general laboratory supply management. The role works in conjunction with Medical Laboratory Scientists and is guided by YNHHS values of integrity, patient-centeredness, respect, accountability, and compassion. Depending on the department, duties may include blood bank, microbiology, or pathology tasks. These may involve handling blood products, processing and preparing specimens, operating laboratory equipment, assisting with pathology procedures, maintaining records and equipment, and performing related duties under applicable procedures and supervision.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency exam.
Experience is not required.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.
Basic computer skills.
Interact positively with coworkers and customers.
Cooperatively and proactively assist in other areas as needed in a teamwork-oriented environment.
Maintain knowledge of procedures and implement new and revised procedures in real time.
Maintain Quality Control and Quality Assurance standards at all times.

Responsibilities

Understand and adhere to performance standards, policies, and expected behaviors.
Understand and follow department and hospital policies and procedures.
Handle telephone inquiries and transfer calls as needed.
Receive, accession, and process specimens to support timely reporting of results; ensure positive patient identification.
Perform registration in the HIS as needed.
Process reference laboratory testing as needed.
Perform testing as needed.
Independently troubleshoot specimen-related problems.
Assist with training new employees.
Maintain hardware and equipment as needed.
Use laboratory and hospital computer systems for accurate data entry and retrieval.
Perform other duties as needed.
If applicable in blood bank: announce MTP; assist with setup, issue, and replacement of blood products; select ABO/Rh-compatible platelets and FFP, set them up on patients, and print compatibility tags; issue blood products after reviewing release forms; assess returned blood products for inventory or discard; and potentially irradiate products and retrieve them from the OR.
If applicable in microbiology: use sterile technique and best practices; process pre-analytical specimens, including tissue grinding, media or lysis inoculation, and manual agar streaking; follow appropriate incubation environments and protocols; operate pre-analytical instruments and systems; and perform applicable staining techniques, including Gram stain preparation.
If applicable in pathology: assist with FNAs and frozen sections and office duties; sign hazardous-waste manifests as needed; package and ship AP specimens; register AP samples; aliquot specimens for additional testing; cover-slip, distribute, and/or file slides and blocks; dispose of pathology specimens; maintain cytology/histology maintenance charts; clean and maintain areas in accordance with universal precautions; preserve samples under direct supervision of a pathologist assistant or pathologist; assist with H&E slide preparation and operate the autostainer and cover slipper; and transcribe pathology gross descriptions and/or diagnoses.