Sr Lab Assistant Anatomic Pathology

Trane Technologies•Detroit, MI

11h

About The Position

Under general supervision and according to specific, detailed procedures, the Senior Lab Assistant performs assigned pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical tasks. The role uses specialized, semi-technical techniques to handle and process specimens; compiles, verifies, and enters information with attention to detail; and supports training, troubleshooting, and routine problem resolution. The incumbent interacts with healthcare professionals, responds to routine inquiries, and maintains assigned work areas, instruments, and supplies. The position may serve as the in-charge designee when requested or when the group leader or supervisor is absent. The role is expected to promote DMC values and behaviors that support a High Reliability Culture committed to safety, customer service, community welfare, excellence, respect, integrity, accountability, innovation, teamwork, and effective resource use. DMC University Laboratories is a regional integrated laboratory system serving Detroit Medical Center hospitals and other healthcare organizations. Its operations include core and specialty laboratories, rapid-response hospital laboratories, centralized laboratory services, patient service centers, remote ambulatory laboratories, courier services, and billing.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent education required.
Three years of experience in specimen processing and/or a pathology laboratory environment.
Ability to perform assigned pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical tasks according to detailed procedures.
Ability to use specialized techniques to handle and process specimens and accurately compile, verify, and enter information.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree.
Six months of experience in Anatomic Pathology.
Knowledge of medical terminology.
Previous leadership experience.
Customer service experience in a service environment.

Responsibilities

Assist with training staff on Anatomic Pathology and specimen-processing policies and procedures to support departmental competency standards.
Help troubleshoot and resolve routine or moderately complex specimen-processing and Anatomic Pathology issues.
Follow and enforce departmental safety policies, procedures, OSHA guidelines, and applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
Prioritize incoming specimens and process them using specialized techniques; promptly process STAT and other critical specimens and document specimen problems for communication to a supervisor or lead designee.
Set up and maintain assigned work areas and equipment, including gross room, dissection area, and cytology processing areas, and ensure equipment is operational.
Collaborate with staff and pathologists on Anatomic Pathology processes; label specimens, vials, and slides; and program and load imagers, stainers, and other equipment.
Generate and attach specimen labels according to established test requirements.
Verify patient identification to ensure specimen integrity.
Assign accession numbers and process specimens according to protocol.
Prepare specimens for reference laboratories and record incoming results on appropriate logs.
Perform special processing of selected specimens, such as acid wash, cell block, and decalcification, according to established guidelines.
Maintain specimen, send-out, and special-procedure logs and worksheets; enter workload data and patient demographic information accurately into the laboratory computer system; and detect and correct errors according to laboratory policies and quality standards.
Keep work areas clean and orderly, stock storage areas, maintain inventories, clean equipment and small instruments, and perform simple laboratory equipment inspections and maintenance.
Conduct routine equipment quality-control checks, such as recording temperatures, and report unusual findings to a supervisor or lead designee.
Prepare solutions and reagents according to established guidelines.
Perform clerical duties, including answering telephones, scheduling, maintaining records, responding to departmental inquiries, communicating with external staff or sources, and routing messages.
Check organizational communications daily, including Outlook, laboratory software, and posted notices.
Work independently with minimal supervision.
Serve as in-charge designee in the absence of the group leader or supervisor.
Act as a resource to laboratory assistants by helping with specimen processing and answering questions about laboratory policies and procedures.
Perform other related duties as assigned.