Senior Lab Assistant - Microbiology

Tenet Healthcare • Detroit, MI

3d

About The Position

The Senior Lab Assistant works under general supervision and follows specific procedures to perform pre-analytical and post-analytical testing activities. The position processes and verifies information and laboratory data, supports specimen processing and phlebotomy operations, and may serve as the in-charge designee. It interacts with patients and healthcare professionals, responds to routine inquiries, and maintains work areas, instruments, and supplies. The role promotes DMC values and supports a safety-focused, high-reliability culture.

The Senior Lab Assistant helps train staff, coordinates daily workflow, troubleshoots routine or moderately complex processing and phlebotomy issues, and serves as a resource to Laboratory Assistants. Duties may include drawing blood, processing and aliquoting specimens, generating labels, verifying specimen integrity and patient identification, entering laboratory data, delivering specimens or reports, performing routine equipment quality checks, preparing media and reagents, assisting with tolerance tests, and performing clerical tasks. The role follows departmental safety procedures and OSHA guidelines, uses applicable personal protective equipment, and performs other related duties as assigned.

DMC University Laboratories, Inc. is a regional integrated laboratory system serving the eight hospitals of the Detroit Medical Center. Its operations include core and specialty laboratories, rapid-response hospital laboratories, centralized stat and blood bank labs, and outreach services across Southeast Michigan.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent education required.
• Three years of experience in specimen processing and/or phlebotomy in a healthcare environment; three years of phlebotomy experience is required for the Outreach department.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree preferred.
• Three years of progressively more responsible experience preferred.
• Customer service experience in a service environment preferred.
• Phlebotomy certification preferred for Phlebotomists.

Responsibilities

• Assist in training staff on phlebotomy and specimen processing policies and procedures.
• Act as daily team leader to help ensure continuous workflow.
• Help troubleshoot routine or moderately complex specimen-processing and phlebotomy issues.
• Serve as a resource to Laboratory Assistants, assist with specimen processing, and answer questions about laboratory policies and procedures.
• Follow departmental safety procedures and OSHA guidelines, including use of applicable personal protective equipment.
• Communicate training and development needs to management.
• Prioritize incoming specimens and process patient specimens safely; promptly process stat and other critical tests, document specimen problems, and communicate them to a supervisor or lead designee.
• Draw blood samples when required by physician order; verify patient identification and collect insurance information.
• Generate and attach specimen labels; process and aliquot specimens according to test requirements.
• Verify patient identification and specimen suitability, and sort, rack, and deliver specimens to the appropriate testing laboratory.
• Enter and review laboratory test data in the laboratory computer system and correct errors according to laboratory policies and quality standards.
• Explain procedures to patients and answer routine questions from physicians, nurses, and other appropriate healthcare professionals.
• Maintain a clean work area, stock and inventory supplies, clean glassware and equipment, and perform simple equipment inspection and maintenance.
• Perform transportation duties such as delivering specimens and reports, and timestamp or computer-verify laboratory requests.
• Conduct routine equipment quality-control checks when required and report unusual findings to a supervisor or lead designee.
• Prepare media and reagents when required.
• Prepare patients for and/or administer tolerance tests when required.
• Perform clerical duties such as answering telephone calls, scheduling appointments, maintaining records, and relaying messages.
• Check organizational communications daily, including Outlook, laboratory software, and posted notices.
• Act as in-charge designee in the absence of the group leader or supervisor.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Paid time off (PTO).
• Career development and continuing education opportunities.
• Health savings accounts and healthcare and dependent flexible spending accounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee discount program.
• Voluntary pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder and childcare, and auto and home insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED