Medical Laboratory Assistant

POSITION PURPOSE

• Perform duties in the laboratory that are above the complexity level of a phlebotomist, but not yet to the level of a medical laboratory technician. Collect specimens, perform specimen processing, perform limited waived/moderate complexity laboratory testing, assist technicians and technologist with maintenance and reagent preparation, plate samples for microbiology, and perform preparation of specimens for testing from alternative laboratory sources.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED

• High School or Equivalent (GED)

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 2-5 years' experience as a phlebotomist.

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• PBT (ASCP) or MLA (AMT) strongly preferred, but not required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Ability to read, write, speak, hear, and comprehend the English language.

• Medical terminology training preferred.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Collection of blood specimens from various patient types using defined venipuncture techniques. Status recording of the collection date and time in the Laboratory Information System.

• Instruction of patients in the collection of non-blood specimens.

• Clear communication with patients, physicians, and fellow employees.

• Maintenance of the assigned work area, including disinfections and stocking supplies.

• Verifies patient by following patient identification procedure #50.03 PATIENT IDENTIFICATION.

• Obtains blood specimens by performing venipunctures and fingersticks. Tracks collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection. Follows departmental and hospital policies regarding performance of collections.

• Maintains specimen integrity by using aseptic technique, following department procedures, observing isolation procedures.

• Maintains quality results by following department procedures and testing schedule; recording results in the quality-control log; identifying and reporting needed changes.

• Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures, complying with legal regulations.

• Resolves unusual test orders by contacting the physician, pathologist, nurse, or other laboratory testing personnel; referring unresolved orders back to the originator for further clarification; notifying coordinator or manager of unresolved orders.

• Adheres to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and TJC and CAP standards.

• Assists with laboratory clerical work. Answers phones, receives specimens, and performs pre-analytical preparation for samples including send-outs.

• Coordinates and actively enhances laboratory workflow by loading instruments, setting up plates, and performing waived or moderate complexity testing per laboratory procedures.

• Performs pending log resolution.

• Calls critical values to actionable care providers.

• Calibration of clinical laboratory testing instruments.

• Processing of clinical laboratory samples in preparation for testing.