SR LAB ASSISTANT

Covenant Health•Morristown, TN

11d

About The Position

The Senior Lab Assistant collects and properly handles venous and capillary blood specimens for inpatients and outpatients, and is responsible for customer safety and comfort, clerical and computer duties, and courier responsibilities as required. Customer service and specimen collection are the first priorities. The role also supports laboratory operations through order entry, specimen processing, communications, and compliance with laboratory policies and safety standards.

Requirements

Ability to perform the essential tasks of the job, demonstrated through a combination of formal education and/or prior work experience; typically equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.
Certification by NCA, ASCP, ASPT, or a comparable institution is desirable.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED; preference may be given to candidates with either.
Certification by NCA, ASCP, ASPT, or a comparable institution.

Responsibilities

Provide customer service and collect specimens as the first priority.
Transcribe medical orders promptly, order appropriate laboratory tests for patients, lab contracts, and specimens, and follow up verbal orders by requesting written orders.
Answer departmental telephones, transfer calls to the appropriate laboratory or pathology section, follow through on problem resolution, and assist physicians and staff with obtaining, faxing, or receiving laboratory test results by telephone while protecting confidentiality.
Use hospital information, laboratory information, and reference laboratory computer systems as appropriate; use manual procedures for ordering, collection, verification, and charting during computer failures.
Process specimens, including accessioning, recognizing test priorities, centrifuging, separating and processing, logging, and meeting special collection requirements.
Collect venous and capillary blood samples, including heel or finger collections, using aseptic technique for blood cultures; accurately label specimens and properly use blood bank armbands and labeling systems.
Verify patient identity using the hospital armband and by asking the patient for their name or asking the RN to visually identify the patient.
Dispose of needles, sharps, and used gloves properly during phlebotomy.
Keep clerical and phlebotomy work areas neat and sanitary.
Participate in Laboratory performance improvement activities and quality improvement initiatives as requested.
Comply with Laboratory policies and procedures, including the Exposure Control plan, Chemical Hygiene Plan, Disaster Plan, Joint Commission standards, CLIA, and State regulations.
Serve as a resource for difficult blood draws when needed.
Follow policies, procedures, and safety standards; complete annual required education assignments; and work toward established goals and objectives.
Perform other duties as assigned.