Specimen Processor

UT Southwestern Medical Center•Dallas, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for processing laboratory samples for testing or research. This includes checking specimen's information for accuracy, entering specimen information in to the Laboratory Information system (LIS), as necessary, and ensuring the right department receives the specimen and information.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Able to lift up to 10 pounds
Requires constant walking
Work requires exercise of considerable judgment in application, evaluation, and implementation of new or revised procedures, techniques, and practices to work problems.
Work requires internal contact with nurses, physicians, and allied health practitioner from other departments regarding specimen collection.

Nice To Haves

Previous Specimen Processing experience

Responsibilities

Labels and processes patient specimens accurately and distributes to appropriate areas of laboratory.
Processes laboratory samples according to procedure.
Centrifuges and prepares aliquots when needed.
Maintains specimen requirements at all times according to protocol.
Dispatches specimens to the main laboratory or other designated testing facility as per established procedure with fewer than 2 mislabeled specimen
Prints appropriate labels for specimen labeling.
Ensures all tests on requisitions are accounted for in the ordering system.
If necessary, contacts physician's office to obtain order clarification/verification prior to collecting specimens.
Tracks every specimen to ensure specimen integrity, accounting particularly for those samples which must be transported to other locations with fewer than 3 occasions of errors involving maintaining specimen batches (opening, reconciling and closing).
Prioritizes and organizes activities to achieve optimal and efficient patient care during daily operations.
Maintains positive patient identification for all specimens collected, using defined protocols.
Maintains patient confidentiality throughout all activities and communications.
Ensures specimens are processed according to specimen requirements and that all specimen requirements are met.
Ensures specimen requirements are maintained during transportation and storage as per protocol with fewer than two instances of processing, aliquotting and archiving errors.
Centrifuges and prepares aliquots when needed.
Dispatches specimens to the main laboratory or other designated testing facility as per established procedure with fewer than two mislabeled specimens.
Document all correct and accurate information in regard to the specimens collected to ensure best is being met daily and may receive specimen using Epic Beaker.
May have to enter orders or look up orders in EPIC Beaker.
May be required to contact the Core Laboratory for retrieval of specimens (e.g. for add-on test).
Proficient in maintaining and utilizing the automation track in loading and unloading samples, and troubleshooting errors.
Monitors pneumatic tube system (if applicable) and ensures when tubes arrive, that specimens and/or reports are removed.
Participates in process improvement activities.
Logs specimen in archives for efficient retrieval.
Maintains awareness of turn around expectations and organizes work duties to ensure expectations are met.
Ensures all tests are accounted for in the ordering system.
If necessary, contacts physician's office or nurse to obtain order clarification/verification prior to collecting specimens.
Tracks every specimen to ensure specimen integrity, accounting particularly for those samples which must be transported to other locations with fewer than three occasions of errors involving maintaining specimen batches (opening, reconciling and closing).
Keeps area stocked with essential supplies.
Keeps work area decontaminated with proper cleaning solutions and disposes of waste and trash in appropriate containers.
Keeps work area well organized and free from clutter.
Handles add-on requests according to established procedures.
Adheres to Patient Safety Goals as defined by UTSW, TJC, CAP, and other regulatory/accreditation agencies.
Utilizes the Risk Management and Process Improvement tools (Event Reports) in an accurate and timely way to identify issues concerning Quality Improvement and assists coworkers in this process as needed.
Follows chain of command when reporting unsafe practices observed.
Actively participates in the review of the monthly schedule and work assignments in conjunction with the Supervisor/Coordinator.
Know daily tasks and be accountable for the daily workflow, including the status of the phlebotomy tracker, work flow assignments, and priority test requests.
Also, acts as a liaison/problem solver for phlebotomy issues.
Attendance Reports for work on the assigned days at the assigned times.
Follows procedures regarding requesting and using leave in manner that consistently supports effective job performance.
Provides training to other Specimen Processors as needed.
Monitors pending lists, including but not limited to the unreceived specimen list.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned.