Specimen Processor - PRN - Nights

Northeast Georgia Medical Center•Gainesville, GA

About The Position

The Specimen Processor is a semi-technical position supporting several functions in the clinical laboratory. The role ensures the validity and integrity of clinical specimens, correct execution of doctors’ orders, special handling of specimens for esoteric testing, processing of legal specimens, and generation and distribution of lab 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 policy and procedures. The position receives, labels, routes, stores, batches, and ships specimens, including routine and specialized samples, pathology and cytology specimens, and send-outs to reference laboratories. It coordinates with laboratory departments, clinical areas, outside clients, and reference labs to clarify orders, resolve specimen and billing issues, and maintain accurate documentation. The role also supports quality assurance, training, investigation of new tests, process improvements, and occasional department leadership coverage.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Perform duties in the laboratory’s pneumatic tube area and receive and distribute samples collected by nursing, phlebotomy, and outpatient draw areas.
Communicate with phlebotomists, hospital departments, outside clients, and ordering locations to resolve sample issues, handle add-ons, reprint labels, clarify orders, and answer questions.
Maintain the integrity of submitted clinical specimens and process surgically obtained and other specialized or irreplaceable samples, including body fluids, CSF, 24-hour urine, cord blood, PKU, courtesy, and research samples.
Receive and route orders to registration or client billing areas; log, label, and distribute samples to the appropriate laboratory departments.
Investigate studies for outside locations, maintain detailed records, and document errors internally and externally.
Work with Customer Service to resolve issues and improve laboratory processes.
Store extra and research samples for the appropriate length of time and maintain department quality assurance records and temperature logs.
Track and account for send-out samples, maintain reference laboratory locations and pending logs, and ensure samples are routed correctly.
Batch, package, and ship samples to reference laboratories; route supplies; ensure correct billing; and manually send samples when computer-generated transmission is unavailable.
Receive and distribute outside pathology and cytology samples and samples arriving after regular hours.
Document specimen labeling errors using Variance Reports for unlabeled, mislabeled, and other procedure-violating samples.
For special billing tests handled by reference laboratories, locate patient insurance information, diagnosis codes, and physician NPI numbers and route the information appropriately.
Attend at least 80% of continuing education programs established by the Laboratory Manager each month.
Operate a centrifuge and apply appropriate techniques according to specimen requirements.
Train new employees in specimen processing duties as indicated.
Investigate new tests, check pricing, turnaround times, and testing methods, and help evaluate routing for unusual or non-routine testing.
Collaborate with Lab IT, Pathology/Cytology, and laboratory departments to investigate and implement process improvements.
Participate in weekly task assignments and staff position seating rotations across different shifts.
Occasionally act as the person in charge when the Supervisor is absent.
Perform interface result reporting where available and manually result tests where an interface is unavailable.
Troubleshoot billing kick-off issues with management and help improve related processes.
Communicate effectively as requested by upper laboratory management.