Technical Assistant

HNL Lab Medicine•Allentown, PA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves processing and preparing specimens for transport and/or analysis. The Technical Assistant may perform basic Quality Control and waived level testing under the direct supervision of a technologist. Responsibilities include accurate completion of work according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), prioritizing tasks for STAT/Emergency requests, and following SOPs for specimen handling and critical values. The position also involves assisting with simple QC, calibrating equipment, preparing reagents, preparing and collecting specimens, maintaining supply inventory, participating in continuous improvement and continuing education, assisting with training new staff, performing pending logs, investigating problem specimens, and performing specimen and chemical disposal. Specific duties may include handling Forensic Toxicology specimens and data, retrieving specimens from hospital units, managing reference lab testing, and performing frozen section staining and slide preparation.

Requirements

High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
Two years in a clinical environment with data processing/specimen handling experience.
Graduate of 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.
Ability to write simple correspondence in English.
Ability to effectively present information to one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
Must have the ability to perform all duties with accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to use Laboratory Information System in addition to various other software programs.

Responsibilities

Performs CLIA waived laboratory testing under direct supervision of a technologist and enters results into the Laboratory Information System.
Accurately completes work according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Prioritizes/reorganizes work to respond to STAT/Emergency requests.
Follows established department SOPs for specimen handling and abnormal critical values and communicates to customers accordingly.
Assists with basic technical duties relative to simple QC and notifies a technologist with any discrepancies.
Accurately calibrates pipettes and thermometers (and records data) according to SOPs.
Prepares reagents/controls for specimen testing according to SOPs.
Prepares and/or collects specimens (blood, urine, feces, or other body fluids) for analysis including accurate labeling.
Inventories and maintains adequate supplies, including restocking shelves when appropriate and notifies a technologist of shortages.
Participates in Continuous System Improvement (CSI) and continuing education programs.
Assists in the training/orientation of new staff members and provides regulatory documentation.
Performs Pending Logs and investigates problem specimens.
Performs specimen and chemical disposal per department guidelines.
Handles Forensic Toxicology specimens, data, and reports according to forensic testing guidelines.
Handles legal inquiries, search warrants, and subpoenas.
Retrieves specimens from LVHN hospital units.
Sends out responsibilities for reference lab testing for specimens, slides, and/or blocks.
Performs frozen section staining and slide preparation.