Technical Assistant

HNL Lab Medicine•Allentown, PA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Technical Assistant processes and prepares specimens for transport and/or analysis and may perform simple quality control and waived-level testing under the direct supervision of a technologist. The position performs department-designated testing with limited independent judgment and follows Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Duties may vary by department, including Toxicology/ACL and Pathology/Histology/Cytology responsibilities. The position is onsite at HNL- Roble, 794 Roble Rd. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:30 PM to 6:00 AM, with variable hours and weekend rotation as needed.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Two years of experience in a clinical environment with data-processing and specimen-handling experience.
Graduate of a health/medical assistant or similar training program at an accredited institution 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 to customers, clients, and other employees.
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 CLIA-waived laboratory testing under a technologist’s direct supervision and enter results into the Laboratory Information System.
Complete work accurately according to SOPs and prioritize or reorganize work to respond to STAT and emergency requests.
Follow department SOPs for specimen handling and abnormal or critical values, and communicate with customers accordingly.
Assist with basic technical duties related to simple quality control and notify a technologist of discrepancies.
Calibrate pipettes and thermometers and record calibration data according to SOPs.
Prepare reagents and controls for specimen testing according to SOPs.
Prepare and/or collect specimens, including blood, urine, feces, and other body fluids, for analysis and label them accurately.
Inventory and maintain supplies, restock shelves as appropriate, and notify a technologist of shortages.
Participate in Continuous System Improvement (CSI) and continuing education programs.
Assist in training and orienting 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 duties, handle forensic toxicology specimens, data, and reports according to forensic testing guidelines, and handle legal inquiries, search warrants, and subpoenas.
For Pathology/Histology/Cytology duties, retrieve specimens from LVHN hospital units; coordinate send-outs for reference-lab testing of specimens, slides, and/or blocks; and perform frozen-section staining and slide preparation.