Clinical Laboratory Assist II - Per Diem, Days

POSITION SUMMARY:

Perform a variety of clinical support duties involved with the phlebotomy collection, accessioning, identification and processing of clinical specimens. Ensures patient is provided with necessary information and is comfortable and safe, displaying excellent interpersonal skills with all patients.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the general supervision of the Specimen Processing Supervisor and/or the Shift Supervisor and the clinical phlebotomy supervision of the Phlebotomy Supervisor and within established department policies and procedures, the incumbent performs the following essential functions:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the Hospital and Laboratory Information System and its application to perform a variety of clerical duties accurately including entering patient requisitions, ordering, collecting and receiving specimens, printing reports, and documentation of telephoned results. Monitored unreceived specimen collection lists and institute appropriate follow-up.

2. Utilizing automation or manual processes, prepare, centrifuge, and aliquot laboratory specimens accurately for delivery to laboratory sections and to reference laboratories with accompanying paperwork, in accordance with procedures in Laboratory Specimen Processing Manual and Send-Out Manual. Preserve specimen integrity and maintain specimen identification accurately. Ensure priority delivery of STAT specimens to the laboratory sections. Prepare and maintain records and reports on specimen procurement.

3. Receive specimens delivered to laboratory, performing quality assurance (QA) checks to ensure patient safety; QA checks to include identification checks, labeling review for 2 (two) patient identifiers (i.e. Name, Date of Birth, Medical Record number), review of ordered tests. Reconcile Tracking Logs from off-site collection locations.

4. Receive and process physician orders via laboratory requisitions or Laboratory Information System (LIS) for routine, timed and emergency blood tests. Promptly responds to all calls, pages and other requests for services, facilitating timely collection of specimens / performance of phlebotomy procedures on all appropriate floors including Emergency Department and off-site locations as required and provide back-up to nursing units with Licensed Nursing Assistants II (LNAIIs) as needed. As needed, obtain assistance from appropriate laboratory personnel regarding procedures.

5. Operate equipment and automation in the processing of specimens, exercising care. Perform routine cleaning and preventative maintenance to ensure continued functioning of equipment. Keep related records. Maintain work areas in a clean, safe and organized manner.

6. Respond to Add-On Requests, using Add-On order slip, order, locate sample and deliver to the appropriate laboratory section for testing. On Emergency Department (ED) Add-On Requests, research to see what order to put Add-On request onto, order, locate sample, and deliver to appropriate lab section.

7. Maintain a working knowledge of reference laboratory information systems to support viewing orders and test information, printing specimens' barcodes and manifests. File all Quest manifests as appropriate. Research test requirements for miscellaneous Reference Lab orders via websites. Aliquot as appropriate.

8. Archive and retrieve specimens as necessary.

9. Participates in problem solving and troubleshooting related to patient, client, and specimen information, as well as procedures and equipment.

10. Collect venous and capillary blood samples for Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry, and Microbiology, from inpatients and outpatients of the patient population served by the hospital upon request or as assigned, performing accurate patient identification, requisition verification, specimen labeling, specimen handling and disposal of contaminated waste and sharps. Greet and acknowledge the patient, identify self and what you will be doing.

11. Handle specimens according to proper procedure involving test requirements, special handling of requisition and specimens, and timed tests.

12. Verifies correct specimen identification and specimen requirements against test requests.

13. Highlights test requests and other information on the requisitions to ensure correct and complete data entry.

14. Recognizes discrepancies or problems and notifies appropriate staff members and/or physicians as appropriate. Documents problems regarding patient or client information and forwards to the appropriate section. Informs the supervisor of significant problems.

15. Respond to the computerized transport system (CTS or pneumatic tube) when carriers arrive into the laboratory, unloading specimens from carriers and facilitating the processing of these specimens in a timely manner; return all carriers via CTS to sending stations.

16. Maintain phlebotomy tray/cart, supplies, equipment and work area in a clean and orderly manner. Ensure appropriate inventory level to perform duties.

17. Display courtesy and professionalism at all times while providing timely, helpful service to all patients, clients, visitors, physicians, and hospital personnel. Maintain a professional decorum within the work environment under all types of circumstances, demonstrating ability to remain calm in tense and/or emergency situations.

18. Participate as a team member, effectively adapting to change or unusual circumstances.

19. Meet productivity standards, completing all tasks and assigned work by end of shift.

20. Ensure patient / client information as confidential at all times.

21. Respond efficiently / accurately to client inquiries on specimen requirements, turnaround times and/or specimen handling/transport guidelines, seeking assistance as needed.

22. Initiates completion of Laboratory Quality Management (QM) Forms when deviations to procedure for quality specimens occur, i.e. improper labeling, unlabeled specimens, misidentifications, specimen integrity issues, incorrect specimen types etc. Assists with other routine documentation required for quality assurance activities within Specimen Processing, to include recording temperatures, eyewash checks, etc.

23. Respond to all telephone calls efficiently, transferring calls and recording pertinent information as required, meeting the caller's service needs.

24. Assists with the orientation of new employees.

25. Assists with client service functions and courier dispatch.

26. Ensures sufficient supplies at each work station or storage area for use by the following shift. Reviews quantities and expiration dates of all supplies. Reviews quantities and expiration dates of all supplies. Unpack received stock and place in inventory or supply areas as appropriate. Prepare blood culture paired sets.

27. Maintain professional growth and development through attendance at continuing education sessions within the laboratory, and outside laboratory as appropriate, documenting participation.

28. Comply with all Laboratory and Hospital policies as outlined in the Laboratory Department Policy Manual, adhering to policies on unscheduled absence, vacation time, professional dress code and proper use of business phones, E-mail, etc.

29. Attends required in-service programs on Infection Control Practices/Universal Precautions, Disaster Plan, Electrical & Fire Safety and Chemical Hygiene/Hazardous Communications. Complies with all hospital and department safety practices. Reports any possible safety hazards to Specimen Processing Supervisor, Laboratory Safety Officer, and/or Section Supervisor(s).

30. Reports to work consistently and promptly as scheduled. Provides proper advance notice of absence or tardiness. Work overtime as needed and required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Individuals must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities and to possess the necessary physical requirements, with or without the aid of mechanical devices to safely perform the essential functions of the job:

1. Ability to deliver patient care in a manner that is appropriate to the demographics and/ or specific needs of the patient population served by the hospital.

2. Demonstrates proficiency in assessing, responding and adapting treatment of care to meet the needs of the patient population served by the hospital.

3. Ability to carry projects through to completion.

4. Requires considerable judgment to work both independently and cooperatively toward general results, making decisions based on precedent and policy.

5. Requires the ability to perform diversified duties requiring an extensive knowledge of a particular field and the use of a wide range of procedures. Involves the exercise of judgment in the analysis of facts and conditions regarding individual problems to determine what actions should be taken within the limits of standard practice.

6. Ability to cope with stressful conditions and work long hours under pressure.

7. Ability to work with frequent interruptions and respond appropriately to unexpected situations.

8. Ability to work with and cooperate with supervisory and subordinate staff at all levels.

9. Requires typing and/or computer skills.

10. Visual acuity inclusive of color, depth perception and field of vision, sufficient to meet a minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with computer terminals, extensive reading, visual inspection involving small defects and small parts.

11. Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken or written word. Essential functions include activities in which incumbent must convey detailed or important spoken instructions, accurately, loudly or quietly.

12. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communications and to make find discriminations in sound.

13. The worker is subject to occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals, infectious materials and noise.

14. Ability to raise objects from a lower to a high position or moving object horizontally from position to position. Ability to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Also ability to pick, pinch, type or otherwise work primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

15. Ability to substantially move wrists, hands and/or fingers. Also ability to apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

16. Ability to perceive attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

17. Ability to stand particularly for sustained periods of time.

18. Ability to maintain standing while carrying specimens.

19. Ability to use upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

20. Ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

21. The worker is required to wear and must be able to wear gloves, lab coat, and occasionally a safety shield.

Qualifications

WORK SCHEDULE:

• Monday through Friday, rotating weekends and holidays, first, second or third shift, with the ability to work and cover special functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• High School graduate or equivalent and additional training in phlebotomy procedures preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of one year full-time equivalent laboratory clinical support and phlebotomy experience.

• Meets yearly phlebotomy competency.

Licensure / Certification:

• None