Pathology Lab Assistant I

Mass General Brigham•Boston, MA

2d•$19 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Pathology Laboratory Assistant I performs a variety of clerical and technical duties, under technical supervision of senior technologists, which do not require an intensive knowledge of laboratory procedures or practices. Duties require the use of a laboratory information system, use of the lab’s telephone system, handling and processing of patient specimens, use of hazardous chemicals, and other general microbiology laboratory tasks.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent required
Communicate effectively with all laboratory and hospital staff.
Possess manual dexterity and visual acuity.
Capable of physical exertion, including walking, standing, sitting, and bending or lifting up to 50 pounds.
Must have the ability to pay careful attention to detail and to adhere to written protocols.
Knowledge of standard safety and infection control procedures including standard precautions.
Read, write, and comprehend English sufficiently to communicate with patients, laboratory or hospital staff and to follow procedures
Interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with individuals in the lab and hospital.
Ability to multitask and work accurately under stress of time constraints and heavy workload demands.
Neat and orderly work habits.
Careful attention to detail on laboratory requisitions and lab documentation.
Ability to follow procedure.
Ability to troubleshoot problems.
Proficient computer skills and ability to perform data entry with accuracy.
Good telephone/customer service skills.

Responsibilities

Follows all safety (including infection control and hazardous material) policies and procedures. Notifies supervisor or Technical Director of unsafe conditions. Successfully participates in safety education and competency activities.
Receives, verifies and enters patient data test, and compliance information from laboratory requisitions into Laboratory Information System (LIS) following prescribed coding procedures. Resolves any patient identification problems with appropriate patient care area. Assesses specimen quality and reports specimen problems (i.e. wrong type specimen container, leaking specimen containers, hemolyzed specimens, etc.) to appropriate patient care area.
Prepares blood, urine, stool and other specimens for analysis by labeling requisition forms and specimen containers with appropriate patient data using labels generated by LIS.
Processes specimens for analysis by culture, direct microscopic examination, serological tests or other test methodologies. Cultures specimens on prescribed media such as agar plates and broth tubes. Incubates the media in environments that are appropriate both to type of specimen and to the organisms routinely sought in those specimens. Processes blood specimens for serological tests or other non-culture test methods.
Answer laboratory telephones. Answer inquiries for patient test results, turnaround time for test results, and other laboratory information. Screen calls, take messages, route calls, and page requested parties as appropriate.
Respond to physicians’ or other healthcare professional’s requests for patient test results by using LIS to make result inquiries. Respond to physicians’ STAT test requests. May perform and document callback of critical results. May fax or print reports as requested
Checks requisitions for accuracy and completeness of lab orders. Sorts, alphabetizes, and files/scans lab requisitions.
Performs other clinical laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities as required at the direction of a laboratory supervisor.
Maintains safe working environment. Notifies supervisor of unsafe conditions.
Successfully participates in safety education and competency assessment activities.
Receives all shipments of media, reagents, quality controls, etc. Check packing slips for quantity, lot numbers, and expiration dates. Stocks received products in appropriate locations.
Chooses samples for quality control check by Technologist and organizes samples and records new lots on quality control sheets.
Rotates products by expiration date.
Monitors and stocks supply in the various lab sections.
Collects infectious wastes from all laboratory sections; decontaminates waste by steam sterilization. Reprocesses instruments (scalpels, forceps, etc.) for reuse in lab.
Performs general preventative maintenance and quality control checks on autoclaves, refrigerators, incubators, etc.
Monitors a variety of compressed gas tanks; replaces empty with full tanks.
Performs other related duties, as required.
Plans, organizes, and prioritizes work duties to accomplish daily tasks and objectives. Supports and assists coworkers as needed to ensure the best possible patient care; able to work independently while functioning as a team member.
Documents errors using hospital Safety Reporting System; informs supervisor/manager when safety reports are entered.
Adheres to hospital and laboratory policies and procedures including but not limited to laboratory procedures, hospital procedures, accrediting agencies’ guidelines, infection control and safety plans.
Performs clerical and support services as needed, such as answering the telephone, calling the appropriate department or Licensed Care Provider when necessary, monitoring pending logs, and other assigned duties. Ensures that there is proper documentation of calls.
Monitors reagent and supplies, orders as needed, or communicates need to the appropriate person to maintain adequate inventory of necessary supplies.
Performs any other duties as required, which may include but not limited to general laboratory duties such as processing specimens, logging in specimens, putting supplies away, washing pipettes, etc. Stores, discards, and retrieves samples as required.