Sr Lab Assistant

Covenant Health•Morristown, TN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Lab Assistant collects and properly handles venous and capillary blood specimens from 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 role’s first priorities. The position also processes specimens, supports laboratory communications and result handling, and follows applicable laboratory policies, procedures, and safety standards.

Requirements

No minimum experience specified.
Education may be any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the essential tasks, 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.
Certification by NCA, ASCP, ASPT, or a comparable institution.

Responsibilities

Transcribe medical orders promptly and order appropriate laboratory tests for patients, lab contracts, and specimens; 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 help physicians and staff obtain, fax, or receive laboratory results by telephone while maintaining confidentiality.
Use HIS, LIS, and reference laboratory computer systems as appropriate; know manual procedures for ordering, collection, verification, and charting during computer failures.
Process specimens, including accessioning, prioritizing tests, centrifuging, separating and processing, logging, and handling special collection requirements.
Collect venous and capillary blood samples, including heel or finger collections, and use proper aseptic technique when collecting blood cultures.
Accurately label specimens and use the blood bank armband and labeling system correctly.
Verify patient identity using the hospital armband and by asking the patient’s name or asking an 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.
Complete required annual education assignments, work toward goals and objectives, follow safety standards, and perform other duties as assigned.
Carry out courier responsibilities as required for the position.