Senior Technical Assistant

HNL Lab Medicine • Bethlehem, PA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This role involves processing and preparing specimens for transport and/or analysis. The Senior Technical Assistant may perform technical duties related to simple Quality Control and waived and moderately complex level testing under the direct supervision of a technologist. The position requires performing CLIA classified moderately complex laboratory testing, entering results into the Laboratory Information System, and recognizing and correcting instrument malfunctions. Responsibilities also include performing designated testing, accurately reporting results according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), prioritizing work for STAT/Emergency requests, and following SOPs for specimen handling and critical values. The role includes providing clinical orientation and training, performing basic quality control functions, calibrating pipettes and thermometers, preparing reagents/controls, preparing and collecting specimens, and maintaining adequate supplies. Specific duties may vary by department, including logging information into NEDSS, handling Forensic Toxicology specimens, assisting with fine needle aspirations, completing frozen section cutting, acting as a Gross Room/Operating Room liaison, functioning as a Safety representative, and coordinating paperwork for legal cases and product disposal.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Two years in a clinical environment with data processing/specimen handling experience.
• Must meet CLIA 88 personnel requirements for moderate complexity testing.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions in English.
• Ability to write simple correspondence in English.
• Ability to effectively present information to one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Must have the ability to perform all duties with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to use Laboratory Information System in addition to various other software programs.

Nice To Haves

• A.S degree preferred
• An equivalent demonstration of education and experience.
• Graduate of health/medical assistant or similar training program from an accredited institution where general laboratory technique is taught.

Responsibilities

• Performs CLIA classified moderately complex laboratory testing and enters results into the Laboratory Information System under direct supervision of a technologist.
• Recognizes and corrects instrument malfunctions within the scope of the operator’s manual and records troubleshooting activities.
• Performs testing that is specifically designated by the department.
• Accurately completes work and reports results according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Prioritizes/reorganizes work to respond to STAT/Emergency requests.
• Follows established department SOPs for specimen handling and abnormal critical values and communicates to customer accordingly.
• Provides clinical orientation and/or training of new employee/students.
• Performs basic quality control functions pertaining to moderate complexity testing, instrument checks and notifies a technologist with any discrepancies.
• Accurately calibrates pipettes and thermometers (and records data) according to SOPs.
• Prepares reagents/controls for specimen testing according to SOPs.
• Prepares and/or collects specimens (blood, urine, feces, or other body fluids) for analysis including accurate labeling.
• Inventories and maintains adequate supplies, including restocking shelves when appropriate or notifies a technologist of shortages.
• Participates in Continuous System Improvement (CSI) and continuing education programs.
• Assists in competency review of new and current Technical Assistants and notifies supervisor/manager of any issues in a timely manner.
• Logs applicable information into the NEDSS system or sending information to other states (Molecular/Microbiology).
• Handles Forensic Toxicology specimens, data, and reports according to forensic testing guidelines. Handles legal inquiries, search warrants, and subpoenas (Toxicology/ACL’s).
• Performs fine needle aspiration (FNA) assistance (Pathology/Histology/Cytology).
• Completes frozen section cutting (Pathology/Histology/Cytology).
• Acts as Gross Room/Operating Room liaison to assist with problem resolution and provide educational in-service, as needed (Pathology/Histology/Cytology).
• Functions as Safety representative for designated area (Pathology/Histology/Cytology).
• Coordinates paperwork between LVHN and vendors for legal cases, hardware disposal, and products of conception (Pathology/Histology/Cytology).
• Performs all applicable duties assigned to Technical Assistant.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity employer
• Employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other such protected classes as may be defined by law.
• Personnel actions and programs will adhere to this policy.
• Personnel actions and programs include, but are not limited to recruitment, selection, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, educational programs and/or social activities.

What This Job Offers

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