Specimen Processing Technician

TalentBurst•Chantilly, VA

About The Position

The Specimen Technician I provides general support within the Specimen Processing Department, helping ensure specimens are processed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with customer and compliance requirements. This role involves data entry and may include sorting, picking, aliquoting, scanning, storing, and retrieving samples, as well as presorting, specimen pickup and delivery to the laboratory, imaging or microfilming, and centrifugation. Employees must learn specimen types and applicable test-ordering regulations, which may change frequently. The position is part of a production environment with productivity, quality, and completion-time standards, and is critical to customer satisfaction. The role requires flexibility, strong organization and communication skills, and adherence to safety and compliance procedures while working in a biohazard environment. The position is a four-month contract with a possible extension, scheduled Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The technician may need to retrieve samples from refrigerators or freezers and handle temperatures of -20 degrees for 5–10 minutes at a time.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Basic understanding of computers.
Ability to enter 6,000 alphanumeric keystrokes per hour.
Good organization skills and the ability to learn specimen types and changing compliance regulations.
Ability to sit or stand for long periods.
Ability to handle -20-degree temperatures for 5–10 minutes at a time.
Ability to work Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
Availability for weekends, holidays, on-call work, and overtime as required by staffing needs.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of laboratory testing and/or laboratory specimen processing.
Previous laboratory experience.
Medical background, including medical terminology applicable to a clinical laboratory.
Previous hospital laboratory experience.
Previous experience in a production environment.

Responsibilities

Sort, pick, aliquot, scan, and store samples.
Pull samples from refrigerators and freezers.
Perform general specimen-processing support functions, which may include A-station, presort, pickup and delivery of processed specimens to the laboratory, imaging or microfilming, and centrifugation.
Enter data accurately, with the stated ability to enter 6,000 alphanumeric keystrokes per hour.
Learn specimen types associated with tests ordered by clients and comply with applicable test-ordering regulations.
Meet productivity, quality, and departmental completion-time standards.
Practice good safety habits in a biohazard environment and follow safety and compliance policies and procedures.
Keep the work area neat and clean.
Communicate effectively with all levels of staff and contribute to a positive work environment.
Adapt to changing customer demands and departmental needs.