Phlebotomy and Laboratory Technical Assistant

Under general supervision, this position supports laboratory functions in the West End Clinic including phlebotomy and assisting Medical Technologists and/or Medical Laboratory Technicians. This position also provides general support to other areas within the branch clinic which may include nursing support, radiology, business office, etc

Essential Job Functions

• Processes and accessions samples according to established policies and procedures.
• Performs phlebotomy blood draws, assists nursing with patient rooming, schedules appointments, enters lab orders and assist with chart ticket review and ensures correct coding.
• Assists with inventory management including stocking, ordering and monitoring to ensure adequate supplies to meet business needs within the assigned section of the laboratory.
• Performs waived laboratory testing and specimen processing within scope of practice.
• Provides administrative/clerical support for the departments including maintaining accurate record systems, quality control data, patient results, and workflow documentation.
• Assist Medical Technologists with preparation of slides, maintaining integrity of specimens, and transporting specimens.
• Answers multi-line telephones and responds to most incoming calls before transferring to alternate resources. Responds to questions from patients, physicians and other reference labs and provides routine information, collection and testing procedures, specimen processing, turn-around-times, result reporting and reference lab availability. Also responds to non-routine questions regarding what steps need to be taken to rectify a situation when the integrity of a sample/specimen has been compromised.
• Facilitates result reporting. Results may be called to the physician's office, faxed or mailed depending on orders and situation.
• Monitors all label printers for incoming orders. Responsible for ensuring printers are maintained in good working order due to the critical nature of information being received. Acts as a resource in resolving printer related function problems, maintenance and form loading.
• Responsible for checking and verifying the integrity/quality of the specimens to ensure appropriate specimen volumes, packaging, etc. Assumes responsibility for initiating follow-up action necessary to prevent and/or resolve problem scenarios and coordinates as appropriate with other departments, management, etc.
• Maintains inventory management including ordering stocking and monitoring to ensure adequate supplies to meet the business needs for all areas within the department and reference laboratory.
• Responsible for processing and transporting specimens to the main laboratory while maintaining sample integrity.
• Receives specimens from the nursing staff and outpatients. Utilizes judgment to determine if sample/specimen is appropriate for testing according to established guidelines or if a recollection will be necessary. Initiates specimen preparation and processing by preparing spin-offs and aliquots and distributes them to the appropriate area of the branch laboratory for final processing. Monitors printers for STAT orders from the nursing units.
• Works with the Technologist/Technician to establish an appropriate workflow in accordance with established standards.
• Participates in and assists with additional levels of responsibilities for special projects and/or delegated tasks
• Responsible for restocking work areas and instruments from supply inventory with appropriate reagents and supplies.
• Assists with orientation and training.
• Coordinates any outstanding issues or problems with the Lead Medical Technologist.
• Identifies needs and sets goals for own growth and development; meets all mandatory organizational and departmental requirements.
• Quality Control - Participates in and/or assists Technologist/Technician with the performance of quality control correlations and instrumentation checks and with the performance of routine and/or preventative maintenance of instruments and equipment.
• Work is performed under general supervision in accordance with regulatory requirements, established policies and procedures and general directives.
• Assumes responsibility for initiating follow-up to prevent and/or resolve problem scenarios and coordinates with the appropriate department and/or person.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High School graduate or equivalent.

Experience

• Successful experience working in a laboratory or healthcare environment, preferred.
• Phlebotomy training, preferred.

Certifications and Licenses

• Ability to be insured to operate organization vehicles.