Processing Tech I

ARUP Laboratories Career•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

Works under direct supervision to learn the proper handling of specimens received at ARUP’s central facility and/or University Division and prepares specimens for laboratory testing. The role includes matching patient information, data entry, aliquoting, and scanning documents. The position is in Specimen Processing and is scheduled Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 PM to 7:30 AM, for 40 hours per week. The stated hourly rate is an estimate that includes applicable shift differentials; actual rates vary by schedule. ARUP Laboratories is a national clinical and anatomic pathology reference laboratory and an enterprise of the University of Utah and its Department of Pathology, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The organization emphasizes diversity, professional growth, continuous development, accountability, integrity, service, and excellence, and recognizes the patient behind every specimen. The position requires accurate and timely processing of specimens and orders, proper identification and documentation, use of departmental applications and equipment, and compliance with safety, confidentiality, and other ARUP policies. The role also assists with complex processing needs and departmental projects, performs assigned cleaning duties, and carries out other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Ability to perform the stated specimen-processing duties under direct supervision.
Ability to work the stated schedule: Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 PM to 7:30 AM, 40 hours per week.
Ability to work all required overtime.
Regular and reliable attendance and dependable performance.
Ability to work well with others.
Ability to comply with ARUP policies and procedures and the Code of Conduct.
Ability to use personal protective equipment in a biohazard laboratory environment in accordance with CDC and OSHA regulations and company and departmental policies.
Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
Ability to stoop, reach, and move between work sites and within the office to access file cabinets and office machinery.
Fine motor control for picking, pinching, typing, or other finger-based tasks.
Close, far, and peripheral visual acuity for tasks involving depth and distance, and ability to distinguish colors.

Responsibilities

Read and sign department-specific SOPs and the Safety Manual; attend Specimen Processing team and staff meetings.
Process specimens promptly as they become available.
Enter patient demographics and process specimens and orders using the appropriate applications; order tests indicated on requisitions and process manual and electronically transmitted tests.
Record additional information on requisitions or packing lists and follow departmental procedures to resolve identified issues.
Handle and label specimens and paperwork appropriately; recognize and handle specimen types according to corporate and departmental procedures.
Document specimen receipt information and client-provided information on specimen labels according to departmental procedures.
Check identifiers across received specimens, paperwork, and electronic records, and ensure they match and specimens are correctly labeled.
Handle specimens requiring rerouting or sharing appropriately.
Place processed specimens on the automated track, at the appropriate temperature for manual sorting, or deliver them to the testing laboratory at the proper temperature when automated delivery is unavailable.
Process specimens at all three temperatures and follow procedures for manual and electronically transmitted orders.
Operate the biological safety cabinet properly; for University Hospital Clinical Lab work, operate the centrifuge properly.
Use the Internal Test Directory or applicable test information catalog for accessioning and client submissions or inquiries; use current departmental LIS applications and functions.
Aliquot specimens according to procedure using proper safety equipment.
Learn the locations, hours of operation, and general functions of ARUP and University Division laboratories, or locate this information using departmental information on Nucleus.
Make sound judgment decisions or consult a Supervisor, Lead, or Workflow Coordinator when needed.
Assist management with complex processing needs, including specimen searches and processing compromised shipments.
Observe data-security and patient-confidentiality principles and maintain ethical standards in testing and interactions with patients, coworkers, and other health care professionals.
Follow safety policies and regulations, including dress code and use of protective clothing and equipment; remain informed of departmental procedures.
Perform assigned cleaning duties and assist with departmental projects.
For Central Processing, use ARUP Accessioning and Shipment Tracking applications.
For University Division, operate the centrifuge and ensure specimen acceptability and integrity according to department protocol.
For University Division, prepare specimens for delivery between ARUP testing facilities by creating packing lists according to specimen-handling requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain regular and reliable attendance and dependable performance, work well with others, and work all required overtime.