Specimen Processor - PRN - Nights

Northeast Georgia Health System•Gainesville, GA

10d

About The Position

The Specimen Processor is a semi-technical position that performs multiple functions in the clinical laboratory. The role supports the validity and integrity of clinical specimens, correct execution of physicians’ orders, special handling for esoteric testing, processing of legal specimens, and generation and distribution of laboratory reports. The work takes place in a fast-paced environment with frequent exposure to biohazards. Clinical duties must follow population-specific guidelines and National Patient Safety Goals outlined in policies and procedures. The position receives, logs, labels, processes, routes, stores, and ships specimens, including surgical and other irreplaceable specimens, body fluids, cerebrospinal fluid, timed urine, cord blood, research samples, and samples for outside pathology and cytology. It coordinates with laboratory departments, hospital units, outside clients, and reference laboratories to resolve specimen, order, billing, and processing issues. The role also maintains quality assurance and temperature records, documents specimen-labeling errors, supports process investigations and improvements, and may train new employees or act in charge when the Supervisor is absent.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Good interpersonal and customer service skills.
Basic computer knowledge.
Manual dexterity and problem-solving ability.
Ability to follow detailed instructions.
Good communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Three years of continuous employment as a lab assistant.
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Operate the laboratory pneumatic-tube station and receive and distribute samples collected by nursing, phlebotomy, and outpatient draw areas.
Communicate with phlebotomists and other departments about add-on tests, label reprints, specimen problems, order clarification, and other issues.
Support complex emergency situations, including multiple trauma, disaster, and stroke alerts.
Ensure the integrity of submitted clinical specimens and process special, surgical, irreplaceable, body-fluid, cerebrospinal-fluid, 24-hour urine, cord-blood, PKU, courtesy, and research samples.
Receive, log, label, and route orders and specimens to registration, client billing, laboratory departments, or reference laboratories as appropriate.
Conduct investigations and maintain detailed records for outside locations; document internal and external errors and work with Customer Service to resolve issues and improve processes.
Store extra and research samples for the required periods and maintain departmental quality assurance records and temperature logs.
Track and route send-out specimens to reference laboratories, maintain pending logs, batch and package samples for shipment, route supplies, and ensure appropriate billing information.
Receive and distribute outside pathology and cytology samples and samples received after regular hours.
Document unlabeled, mislabeled, and other specimen-handling errors using the Variance Report.
Prepare manual send-outs when computer-generated transmission is unavailable and provide required billing information to reference laboratories, including insurance information, diagnosis codes, and physician NPI numbers.
Attend at least 80% of continuing education programs established by the Laboratory Manager each month.
Operate a centrifuge and apply specimen-specific techniques.
Train new employees in proper specimen-processing duties.
Investigate new tests, including pricing, turnaround times, and testing methods, and help determine routing for unusual or non-routine testing.
Work with Lab IT, Pathology/Cytology, and other laboratory departments to investigate and implement process improvements.
Participate in weekly rotation of staff task assignments and position seating across shifts.
Act as “In charge” occasionally when the Supervisor is absent.
Perform interface-resulting when available and manually result tests when an interface is unavailable.
Troubleshoot billing kick-off issues with management and support process improvements.
Communicate effectively with laboratory management as requested.