Lab Specimen Processor - Microbiology

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Work Shift

Evening (United States of America)

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Laboratory Manager or designee, performs technical and non-technical duties within the Laboratory service areas on the hospital campus. Duties included, but not limited to:
HIS/LIS data entry, troubleshooting and laboratory technical support functions
Customer Service for all patients and health care providers.
Specimen receipt and processing including preparing specimens for transport to reference labs, microbiology processing, loading samples on lab automation and preparing samples for the technical staff.
Pre-Analytical and specimen storage robot operation
Assist in multiple areas as workload and staffing changes.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 2:30 pm - 11pm e/o weekend

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Specimen Receipt and Processing
* Check all specimens arriving in the lab for sufficient quality and quantity.
* Cancel unacceptable specimens after notifying RN and documenting in the LIS.
* Centrifuge, decant or split specimens as needed; combine orders as needed. Take to the testing areas in a timely fashion. Pull samples as needed for lab pending lists.
* Measure and aliquot 24 hr urine samples and enter required information in the LIS.
* Via tracking and pending logs, prepare specimens for transport to reference labs.
* Check accuracy of outpatient orders and resolve discrepancies, correcting orders as needed.
* Check physician, drop off specimen and Home Health orders for accuracy in HIS/LIS.
* Resolve any insurance/billing problems noted with PAS or Outreach staff.
Microbiology Processing (if Required)
a) Performs all aspects of specimen processing including reporting and resolving specimen problems
b) Prepares media and supplies for transfer to sister hospitals as needed.
c) Serves as expert for ordering and processing Microbiology specimens. Follows up with and is the contact for
processors at sister hospitals
d) Maintains and sets up organisms for media QC
e) Key Operator for the appropriate instrumentation
f) Weekly and monthly maintenance of processing equipment (centrifuges, stainer, cytofuge)
g) Trains new employees on processing
Blood Bank Component Processing (if Required)
a) Works independently preparing products for transfusion medicine, maintaining blood bank equipment,
answering calls related to patient care. Prepares all products using good lab technique and adheres to
established procedures.
b) Performs all routine preparation and issuing of products per protocol.
c) Performs all lab supplementary tasks for maintenance, safety, logs all required activities to track workload,
work in progress, pending logs and amended information.
d) Effectively communicates all information to appropriate personnel as required by policy and procedure.
Participates in shift to shift hand-off communication.
e) Uses LIS and HIS when needed to perform job duties, as resources, and to assist in moving specimens within
blood bank.
f) Perform STAT duties as needed. Handle emergency products efficiently and appropriately
Customer Service Support
* Complies with AIDET standards always
* Communicate effectively and courteously with all outpatients, visitors and hospital personnel as they arrive in the lab or when on patient care areas, making a good, competent impression our priority.
* Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality always.
* Receive incoming calls; resolve or route as appropriate.
* Resolve patient / patient care provider complaints; understand when to refer to supervisor.
* Provide patient test results to patient care providers via printed reports, fax or verbal communication.
* Maintain organized files for physician orders, reference lab reports, other lab reports, as needed.
* Make follow-up calls to patients, patient care providers concerning problem specimens, recollects.
* Perform call back function for critical and notification values.
Technical/ HIS / LIS
* HIS / LIS order entry. Able to work in multiple computer systems as needed to perform job functions. Use critical thinking skills and lab knowledge to resolve patient orders and irretrievable samples.
* Report and troubleshoot HIS/LIS, printer, fax malfunctions.
* Organize specimen intake in various downtime scenarios and recovery from same.
* Assist with inventory control. Maintain organization of laboratory storage areas.
* Restock consumables in the laboratory.
* Perform QA checks on refrigerators, freezers as required.
Teaching /In-Service/ Email
* Assists in orientation and training of new employees as assigned.
* Check emails daily in Sunquest.
* Completes all assigned training and competency testing within specified time periods.
* Participates in of staff meetings and reads of posted meeting minutes.
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma / GED General

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

Additional License(s) and Certification(s):

Phlebotomy Certification by a national organization Upon Hire Preferred

Required Minimum Experience:

Experience in either phlebotomy and / or specimen processing in an outpatient or hospital laboratory environment Preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

Strong written and verbal communication, customer service, multi-tasking and organizational skills, professionalism, detail and team-oriented, data entry, typing 40 wpm and working computer knowledge.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.