Specimen Processor

UPMC•Jamestown, NY

About The Position

UPMC Chautauqua is hiring a casual Specimen Processor to join its laboratory team. The role receives, sorts, identifies, processes, and distributes specimens to technical sections. It also includes entering requisition information and patient results into the computer system, calling statistical results, answering phones, coding charge slips, training new employees, and performing related clerical duties. Availability is needed for day and evening hours, including weekends.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively by telephone and in person with customers and coworkers of all age groups and populations.
NYS Staff Exclusion List (NYSEL) clearance.

Nice To Haves

Three to six months of experience in a clinical laboratory, physician's office, or other medical environment.
Knowledge of or experience with medical terminology and laboratory information systems.
Three to six months of experience in a service environment, such as a call center, customer service center, or product distribution/fulfillment center.

Responsibilities

Provide courteous, respectful, enthusiastic, and positive service; take initiative and assist with departmental work.
Monitor pneumatic tube and courier deliveries to ensure timely specimen processing.
Investigate and resolve ordering mistakes and specimen problems, request assistance when needed, and complete quality forms for unacceptable specimens, requesting errors, or other problems.
Separate specimens by centrifugation, label appropriate aliquot tubes, transfer specimens according to policy, and store samples at the appropriate temperature.
Determine and enter specimen receipt times into the computer.
Answer telephone inquiries about proper specimen collection, results, and normal range information.
Follow health and safety regulations when handling biohazardous patient samples and sharps.
Verify blood, urine, and other body-fluid specimens against requisitions or labels, ensuring that specimen and paperwork information match and that the correct specimen was received.
Request laboratory information in the Laboratory Information System when needed.
Prepare, package, and send specimens to outside locations as needed.
Receive, sort, and prioritize all specimens according to laboratory policies, and share specimens as necessary.
Notify the supervisor about problems and requests that need to be credited or clarified.
Disinfect the work area after the shift and during the shift as needed.
Participate in orientation and training of new laboratory specimen processors.
Perform routine technical and related clerical duties as directed.