Senior Technical Assistant - Microbiology

HNL Lab Medicine•Allentown, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Technical Assistant processes and prepares specimens for transport and/or analysis and may perform simple quality control and waived or moderately complex testing under the direct supervision of a technologist. The position performs designated laboratory testing, records results in the Laboratory Information System, follows standard operating procedures, and helps prioritize work for STAT and emergency requests. It also involves specimen handling, basic quality control, instrument checks and troubleshooting, calibration, reagent preparation, supply inventory, and staff orientation or training. Department-specific duties may include entering information into the NEDSS system; handling forensic toxicology specimens, data, reports, and legal inquiries; assisting with fine needle aspirations and frozen sections; serving as a liaison between the Gross Room and Operating Room; and coordinating paperwork for legal cases, hardware disposal, and products of conception. The employee participates in continuous improvement and continuing education, assists with competency reviews, and may serve as a safety representative for a designated area. The position is onsite at HNL- Roble, 794 Roble Rd. The usual schedule is Monday through Friday, 2:30 PM–11:00 PM, with occasional weekend or holiday coverage based on operational needs; the schedule may vary.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Two years of experience in a clinical environment with data processing and specimen handling.
Graduate of an accredited health/medical assistant or similar training program where general laboratory technique is taught.
Meet CLIA 88 personnel requirements for moderate complexity testing.
Read and comprehend simple instructions in English and write simple correspondence in English.
Communicate information effectively in one-on-one and small-group situations.
Perform basic arithmetic and compute rates, ratios, and percentages; draw and interpret bar graphs.
Apply common-sense understanding to detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions and handle problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
Perform duties accurately and with attention to detail.
Use a Laboratory Information System and other software programs.

Nice To Haves

Associate of Science degree, or an equivalent demonstration of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Process and prepare specimens for transport and/or analysis.
Perform designated CLIA-classified moderately complex laboratory testing under the direct supervision of a technologist and enter results into the Laboratory Information System.
Recognize and correct instrument malfunctions within the scope of the operator’s manual and record troubleshooting activities.
Complete work accurately and report results according to Standard Operating Procedures.
Prioritize or reorganize work in response to STAT and emergency requests.
Follow department procedures for specimen handling and abnormal critical values, and communicate with customers as appropriate.
Provide clinical orientation and/or training for new employees and students.
Perform basic quality control functions for moderate complexity testing, check instruments, and notify a technologist of discrepancies.
Calibrate pipettes and thermometers, record the data, and prepare reagents and controls according to SOPs.
Prepare and/or collect and accurately label blood, urine, feces, or other body-fluid specimens for analysis.
Inventory and maintain supplies, restock shelves when appropriate, and notify a technologist of shortages.
Participate in Continuous System Improvement and continuing education programs.
Assist with competency reviews of new and current Technical Assistants and promptly notify a supervisor or manager of issues.
For Molecular/Microbiology, log applicable information into NEDSS or send information to other states.
For Toxicology/ACL’s, handle forensic toxicology specimens, data, and reports according to forensic testing guidelines, and handle legal inquiries, search warrants, and subpoenas.
For Pathology/Histology/Cytology, assist with fine needle aspirations, complete frozen section cutting, and serve as a Gross Room/Operating Room liaison for problem resolution and educational in-services as needed.
Serve as the safety representative for a designated area.
Coordinate paperwork between LVHN and vendors for legal cases, hardware disposal, and products of conception.
Perform all applicable duties assigned to a Technical Assistant.