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The Medical Laboratory Assistant works under the guidance of a Laboratory Technologist; to assist in the processing and testing of laboratory samples.

The Central Processor responsibilities for the coordination of all clinical laboratory pre-analytical services is included in the functionality of the Medical Laboratory Assistant.

This includes the knowledge and competency in the following operation processes : Test Requests (i.e. requirements for filling out test request forms, authorization to accept verbal orders, etc.

Specimen Collection, Specimen Transport, Specimen Receipt / Processing, and Reference Laboratory Testing. The knowledge of the aforementioned items and thoughtful anticipation of the lab's needs (in regards to test requirements) allows the Central Processor to better serve not only the patient but their co-workers as well.

To help with team accountability, the central processor is a communication link with all laboratory employees, hospital personnel, and other customers / clients.

Required Qualifications :

High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent

Preferred Qualifications :

• Previous laboratory experience
• Approved National Certification as Medical Laboratory Assistant / Clinical Laboratory Assistant
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Duties and Responsibilities :

Collects and processes specimens in a manner that optimizes final test results. This includes :

1. Patient preparation

2. Verification of patient identification

3. Application of patient identification system

4. Instructions for blood and non-blood collections, including drug screen collections

5. Competent skills in the collection of venous and capillary punctures on hospital patients, outpatients, and nursing home patients

6. Special handling requests

7. Timed specimen collections

• Order, receive, and distribute laboratory specimens to the various laboratory departments and reference laboratories
• Ordering, cancelling, and un-cancelling of patient orders
• Provides communication link from the hospital personnel and technologists, section supervisors and / or Laboratory Director
• Maintains certification and skills for direct patient care. This includes annual CEUs, safety and laboratory competency requirements
• Responsible for entering and monitoring all send-out specimens into the Meditech system in a timely and accurate manner
• Responsible for submitting billing non-interfaced testing. Billing includes having the proper CPT codes as well as current pricing
• Responsible for maintaining laboratory error log in coordination with the Central Coordinator
• Security access to LIS to complete required duties only
• Knowledge and competency in requirements for a test request. These include :

1. Instructions for completion of Test Request Forms

2. Instructions for clinical information

3. Instructions for specimen source

4. Instructions for diagnosis

• Understands the Medicare Medical Necessity Procedure for collection of specimens and handling of Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN)
• Authorization to accept and document verbal phone orders
• Knowledge of laboratory testing and computer skills
• Understands guidelines for emergency testing : priority for patient specimen handling
• Knowledge of computer downtime procedures
• Competent with protocol for minimization of large draw volumes
• Knowledge of the proper preservation, transport media, proper packaging, shipping and handling, and the importance of prompt delivery of laboratory specimens
• Has knowledge of storage requirements for specimen integrity
• Is fully competent with specimen receipt and processing. This includes :

1. Specimen accompanied by request

2. Receipt date / time documented

3. Specimen condition

4. Unacceptable specimen rejection and notification

5. Suboptimal material disposition

6. Unacceptable specimen disposition

7. Meditech Accessioning System, continued specimen identification, security, and integrity

8. Patient Identification (two patient identifiers)

• Has authority to access hospital information system in order to view confidential medical records in accordance with the HIPAA regulations
• Orders, distributes, and stocks laboratory supplies
• Each employee is responsible for implementing SJRMC's Service Standards into their daily work :

Safety, Courtesy, Effectiveness, and Stewardship

• Communicate scheduling needs to the section supervisor or Laboratory Director; work with other processors for coverage
• Participate in laboratory meetings
• Demonstrate teamwork by example in day-to-day coordination of duties with other staff, by accepting equitable amount of callback, weekend work assignments, and holiday work assignments (scheduling conflicts are resolved through cooperative discussions with fellow staff members)
• Successful performance will be monitored by specimens per year lost for testing; due to unsatisfactory identification, improper collection, storage, or technique
• Performs all laboratory tests; which they were trained and authorized to perform
• Responsible for following all laboratory procedures and policies on specimen handling / processing, test performance, and reporting of test results
• Identify and report any problems that may adversely affect test performance to the technologist or supervisor on site
• Assist in processing of samples and Phlebotomy duties as needed
• Perform QC and Proficiency testing as required
• Demonstrate competency using the laboratory information system
• Demonstrate teamwork to ensure accurate and timely performance of analytical testing of patient samples
• Maintain and troubleshoot instruments and test systems, as required
• Practice safety (at all times while on duty)
• Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Demands and Environmental Work Conditions :

• Works closely with other Technical Supervisors, Laboratory Assistant Manager, Pathologist(s), Physicians, and staff
• Subject to inherent dangers of work that relate to the handling of biologic specimens in the laboratory
• Environmental conditions may include : manual dexterity, fine motor skills, and reaching
• The following senses will be needed for essential duties of the job :

1. Speech

2. Vision

3. Hearing

4. Smell

5. Touch

Last updated : 2024-05-21