Technician II - Labs

Bloodworks Northwest•Seattle, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We have a wonderful opportunity for a Technician II to work in our HLA department here at Bloodworks NW! The incumbent will be responsible for providing exceptional laboratory support for Immunogenetics technical staff. This position promotes and advances our mission by processing specimens for future testing, handling the initial receipt and review of patient and donor orders for organ transplantation, transfusion, and diagnostic services, providing customer service through phone consultations, handling QC and verification functions, and completing routine administrative tasks in the daily operation of the laboratory. This position also assists with preparing specimens for testing and storage.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in chemical, biological, or clinical laboratory science or medical laboratory technology discipline.
Six months of technical laboratory experience is required.
Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.), internet use, and familiarity with database operations.
Strong organizational skills; demonstrated ability to work with a high level of accuracy, effectively multitasking and prioritizing workload to meet deadlines and produce results.
Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to proofread technical documents and apply proper grammar effectively.
Ability to work under stress, handling interactions with staff and public using excellent verbal and interpersonal skills, judgment, tact, and diplomacy.
Experience in handling confidential, sensitive, and/or patient-related materials.
Requires the ability to comprehend the criticality of the testing being performed, as it relates to the blood components being prepared for transfusion, or organs being transplanted.
Includes a fundamental understanding of the financial value of the testing reagents, blood components being prepared, and the necessity to follow all regulatory rules and regulations (AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, and State), including the FDA's "Good Manufacturing Practices".

Responsibilities

Prepare specimens for testing and storage.
Assure specimens meet labeling requirements.
Document problems.
Review requisitions and/or Coordination forms for specimen preparation requirements.
Complete documentation accurately.
Organize specimens and workflow to prevent sample switches.
Prepare specimens (cells, DNA, serum, and plasma) that meet quality and quantity goals.
Troubleshoot and document problem specimens.
Route specimens for testing and/or storage according to the requirements of each patient and workup type.
Perform manual temperature monitoring for processing, if applicable. Record temperature and initial results.
Perform routine maintenance and QC on instruments, if applicable.
Prepare reagents for processing, including proper labeling; maintain adequate inventories of reagents and supplies.
Restock and clean the workbench as needed and at the end of the shift.
Receive specimens and orders for laboratory testing.
Enter specimen receipt into databases and document in logs for audit trail tracking.
Prepare and deliver outgoing packages for FedEx and nearby institutions.
Evaluate specimen acceptability, following laboratory policies.
Accurately perform data entry for patients and donors into appropriate databases.
Troubleshoot specimen discrepancies by contacting customers for patient demographic and order clarification.
Monitor questionable specimens awaiting customer acceptance.
Prepare reports on unacceptable specimens for review.
Respond to inquiries from physicians, nurses, transplant coordinators, and other healthcare professionals, primarily through answering the customer phone line and triaging calls as appropriate.
Monitor shared email and voicemail boxes for communication, including notices of incoming specimens, and follow up when specimens are not received as expected.
Perform required quality control for REES probes and temperature monitoring, centrifuges, waterbaths, and manual laboratory temperatures.
Maintain centrifuges, eyewashes, and waterbaths.
Communicate equipment failures to the supervisor and take appropriate corrective action.
Monitor laboratory medical supplies, reagents, and office supplies to ensure adequate levels are maintained for operations.
Perform inventory and order new shipments of reagents and supplies in accordance with laboratory procedures.
Manage patient and donor sera and cell inventories, including identifying frozen specimens for long-term storage, transferring specimens from temporary holding areas to permanent freezer locations, and entering appropriate documentation for retrieval in databases.
Oversee transplant patient mailer kit send-out process from start to finish, including list verification, preparation of patient mailer kits, accurate specimen tube labeling, receipt of returned mailer kits, verification of patient identification, and suitability of specimens for testing.
Manage administrative tasks, including creating and maintaining patient charts, filing, faxing, and photocopying.
Coordinate the distribution of correspondence, faxes, emails, and packages.
Maintain an accurate client and employee phone contact list.
Participate in organizing, filing, and archiving of records.
Deliver specimens to other BWNW laboratories for ABO, anti-A titer, and A1 lectin testing.
Retrieve reports once testing is completed and save electronic copies.
Monitor when testing is delayed and follow up with other laboratories to determine the status of test results.
Perform laboratory procedures promptly and in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements regarding patient and donor confidentiality.
Review and demonstrate knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
Properly document errors.
Perform procedures with emphasis on safety for self and others.
Report safety issues to supervisor or designee.
Communicate specimen and test issues with team members to maintain quality and expedite turnaround time (TAT).
Assist team members in completing tasks when needed.
Document when time expectations are not met.
Recognize situations in which management should be consulted.
Refer requests for consultation appropriately.
Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as written.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

medical
dental
vision
life insurance
family coverage
retirement plans (401a & 401b)
consolidated paid leave program (4.8 – 6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service)
subsidized transit program
educational reimbursement
relocation assistance bonus