Technical Assistant

HNL Lab Medicine•Allentown, PA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Technical Assistant processes and prepares specimens for transport and/or analysis and may perform simple quality-control duties and CLIA-waived testing under the direct supervision of a technologist. Testing is designated by department and requires limited independent judgment. The role follows standard operating procedures (SOPs), accurately handles and documents work, and responds to changing priorities, including STAT and emergency requests. Department-specific work may include handling forensic toxicology specimens and related legal inquiries, retrieving hospital specimens, sending materials to reference laboratories, and preparing frozen-section stains and slides.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Two years in a clinical environment with data-processing and specimen-handling experience.
Graduate of an accredited health/medical assistant or similar training program where general laboratory technique is taught.
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions in English and write simple correspondence in English.
Ability to present information effectively in one-on-one and small-group situations.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic with whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; compute rates, ratios, and percentages; and draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to follow detailed but uncomplicated written or oral instructions and address problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
Accuracy and attention to detail in performing all duties.
Ability to use a Laboratory Information System and other software programs.

Responsibilities

Perform designated CLIA-waived laboratory testing under a technologist’s direct supervision and enter results into the Laboratory Information System.
Complete work accurately according to SOPs.
Prioritize and reorganize work in response to STAT and emergency requests.
Handle specimens and abnormal or critical values according to department SOPs and communicate with customers as appropriate.
Assist with basic technical duties related to simple quality control and notify a technologist of discrepancies.
Calibrate pipettes and thermometers and record data according to SOPs.
Prepare reagents and controls for specimen testing according to SOPs.
Prepare and/or collect blood, urine, feces, or other body-fluid specimens for analysis, including accurate labeling.
Inventory and maintain adequate supplies, restock shelves as appropriate, and notify a technologist of shortages.
Participate in Continuous System Improvement (CSI) and continuing education programs.
Assist with training and orientation of new staff and provide regulatory documentation.
Perform pending logs and investigate problem specimens.
Dispose of specimens and chemicals according to department guidelines.
For Toxicology/ACL’s: handle forensic toxicology specimens, data, and reports according to forensic testing guidelines, including handling legal inquiries, search warrants, and subpoenas.
For Pathology/Histology/Cytology: retrieve specimens from LVHN hospital units; send specimens, slides, and/or blocks to reference laboratories; perform frozen-section staining and slide preparation.