NBS Specimen Logistics Tech II

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Newborn Screening Specimen Logistics Group Manager, performs complex public health work in the Newborn Screening (NBS) Program. Responsible for conferring with healthcare providers that submit NBS laboratory specimens about specimen issues. Serves as a resource to provide training regarding acceptable NBS specimen quality, required parameters for the completion of patient and specimen demographic information, remote demographic services, requirements regarding the storage of dried blood spots after completion of the newborn screen, and other NBS activities. Independently makes decisions on the accuracy of software-generated demographic comparisons and electronically links first and second newborn screening specimens using protected health information and advanced procedures. Processes Use and Storage of Newborn Screening Blood Spot Cards, as needed. Prepares newborn screening specimens for long term storage and approved releases. Maintains proper laboratory Quality Assurance documentation. May evaluate and assist with development of educational materials. Trains/mentors new and current employees, as needed. Extensive use of highly complex computer systems and databases. Actively participates in the safety program. Duties are independently performed with general supervision, adherence to standard protocol and with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Knowledge of current social, economic and public health issues.
• Knowledge of public health laws, regulations and general medical/clinical laboratory, principles, techniques, and terminology.
• Knowledge of educational techniques and procedures.
• Skill in problem solving and working independently.
• Skill in disseminating information to and eliciting information from customers.
• Skill in providing customer service to medical personnel and the public via telephone, fax and in person.
• Skill in collection and handling of protected health data and other confidential records.
• Skill in creating, maintaining and using electronic reports and spreadsheets.
• Skill in using Word, Excel, Access, Windows, and Internet.
• Skill in use of business grammar, proofreading and editing for creation of educational materials.
• Ability to interpret, understand and adhere to applicable public health laws and rules relating to legislatively mandated newborn screening and associated confidential information.
• Ability to maintain several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally via the telephone, in writing and by personal contact.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff. Ability to work in harmony with other team members.
• Ability to work as part of a team adhering to structured deadlines for completion of critical laboratory procedures that are performed in high volume.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and protocols accurately.
• Ability to use a computer and operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to climb stairs and use ladders/step-ladders.
• Ability to lift/push/pull/carry packages up to 40lbs repeatedly throughout a workday.
• Ability to maintain files, records, and databases accurately.
• Ability to complete tasks without close supervision and use considerable discretion and mature judgment in interactions with public and interpretation of protected health data.
• Ability to understand/ interpret laboratory results and public health law and regulations.
• Ability to prioritize and organize detailed tasks to maintain required team timeframes.
• Ability to train others.

Nice To Haves

• Prefer experience working in a clinical, research, or environmental laboratory.
• Prefer Associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in microbiological, chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution. Experience in applicable public health programs such as laboratory or newborn screening may be substituted.
• Prefer experience in training, mentoring, or coaching staff or peers.

Responsibilities

• Demographic Verification: For newborn screening specimens that are potentially unsatisfactory contacts NBS specimen submitters regarding missing or invalid specimen demographic information, specimens received too old to test, and specimens with questionable or incorrect electronically submitted demographic information. Ensures appropriate identification and documentation of demographic information, obtained by telephone or fax, to prevent the rejection and required recollection of NBS specimens. For NBS specimens undergoing laboratory testing that have demographic information issues conducts research of previous specimen information in database or by conferring with specimen submitters. Ensures updates to demographic information or results are completed. Documents all changes and maintains databases and logs of submitter errors and specimens saved from rejection. Provides education and training to submitters to improve specimen quality and reduce the rate of unsatisfactory specimen submission due to demographic or collection form issues.
• Specimen Transport and Notification: Coordinates and expedites delivery of specimen bundles to the testing laboratory for specimen punching in preparation for testing. Disseminates information about bundle readiness, pickup times and delays to punching room coordinator and lab staff. Transports potentially unsatisfactory specimens for quality assessments. Verifies review markings and forwards discrepancies to appropriate staff for final review. Notifies submitters of specimens deemed unsatisfactory to expedite specimen recollection. Provides additional facility contact when babies with unsatisfactory specimens do not have another specimen submitted.
• Specimen Destruction Processing: Manages the storage and destruction of specimens as required by law. Identifies and verifies accuracy of specimens to be processed for destruction, prepares specimens for pickup, and maintains accurate documentation and logs. Serves as a resource on the NBS Program decision form processing and specimen storage. Processes Use and Storage of Newborn Screening Blood Spot Cards forms, as needed.
• Linking: Performs linking of first and second newborn screening (NBS) specimens. Independently reviews demographic information and makes significant decisions on the accuracy of software-generated demographic comparisons. Electronically links first and second newborn screening specimens. Follows procedures and guidelines to ensure accurate linking. Uses Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) software to create daily work-lists and weekly reports. Performs daily processes for priority linking of specimens with potentially abnormal Cystic Fibrosis results. May contact NBS submitters to obtain additional patient information to complete accurate links to ensure the timely delivery of potentially abnormal specimens for Cystic Fibrosis testing. Performs priority linking of specimens with unsatisfactory Severe Combined Immunodeficiency results to expedite specimen recollection or follow-up. Serves as a resource on the specimen linking process.
• Customer Service: Serves as a resource for the NBS lab and provides customer service to submitters, parents, and lab staff including, but not limited to, specimen collection, specimen acceptability, timeliness, specimen processing, storage and use, remote demographic services, and investigating and troubleshooting of issues. Processes approved residual specimen release. Coordinates the confidential shredding or archiving of documents to meet retention requirements. Trains/mentors new and current employees, as needed.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Performs other duties as assigned. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory. Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree