Clinical Laboratory Assistant I/II - Laboratory-Clinical - Full Time - Shift

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

Compensation:

The estimated pay for this position is $20.6621 to $31.2992. The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Clinical Laboratory Assistant I:

This is the entry level of the Clinical Laboratory Assistant flexible series. Positions in this classification typically perform supervised routine and repetitive tasks according to established procedures.

Incumbents may be promoted to the level of Clinical Laboratory Assistant II upon satisfactory completion of the competencies required, subject to recommendation by the department manager and the Hospital Chief Executive Officer and approval by the Director of Personnel.

Essential Functions:

• Labels specimens;
• Performs arterial, venipuncture and capillary blood collections;
• Replenishes phlebotomy supplies on carts and at draw stations, as needed;
• Transports specimens within hospital and off-site to ancillary locations;
• Provides laboratory information to clients either by phone or in person;
• Inputs information into lab computer, prints patient reports, daily information and monitors laboratory sample collection information;
• Maintains a clean work area;
• Maintains and cleans laboratory equipment;
• Maintains and stocks supplies as directed;
• Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100 years of age.
  
  

Other Functions:

• Assist with training new personnel;
• Performs other related duties as required.
  
  

Clinical Laboratory Assistant II:

This is the journey level of the Clinical Laboratory Assistant flexible classification series. Positions in this classification may be assigned work of a more complex nature and assume responsibility for one or more related duties. Under the direction of a Clinical Laboratory Technologist, this position performs routine and repetitive tasks, follows established procedures and develops advanced skills in operating and troubleshooting automated equipment.

Essential Functions:

• Assists professional staff in performing portions of various biological and chemical procedures of a technical nature
• Assists in the set-up and operation of complex automated electronic equipment such as chemistry analyzers, cell counting equipment and other instruments used in technical laboratory work; performs minor equipment repairs when necessary
• Processes serum from whole blood; draws blood from patients and centrifuges blood specimens for referral to professional clinical laboratory technologists
• Concentrates specimens and may make primary inoculations of the test material to be cultured onto appropriate media
• Prepares and stains slide preparations for microscopic examination
• Performs skin tests; labels specimens
• Performs arterial, venipuncture and capillary blood collections
• Replenishes phlebotomy supplies on carts and at draw stations, as needed
• Transports specimens within hospital and off-site to ancillary locations
• Provides laboratory information to clients either by phone or in person
  
  

Essential Functions (continued):

• Inputs information into micro computer, prints patient reports, daily information and monitors laboratory sample collection information; transfers patient results from referral labs
• Maintains a clean work area
• Maintains and cleans laboratory equipment
• Keeps records; orders and maintains supplies
• Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100 years of age.
  
  

Other Functions:

• Reviews staff assignments and monitors workflow to ensure timely completion
• Assists with performing arterial blood draws
• Assists in training new personnel
• Performs other related duties as required
  
  

Employment Standards

Clinical Laboratory Assistant I:

High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent. Courses in chemistry, anatomy, biology or related physical science are desirable.

AND

Possession and maintenance of current State of California Department of Health Services issued Phlebotomy Technician I or II certificate. (Chapter 3, Division 2 of the Business and Profession's Code and Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations).

OR

Possession of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Trainee Certificate.

AND

Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Responder or Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Responder certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Responder certification and competency.

Clinical Laboratory Assistant II:

Any combination of training and experience equivalent to high school graduation AND two (2) years of experience in a clinical laboratory performing duties comparable to a Clinical Laboratory Assistant I.

AND

Possession and maintenance of a current State of California Department of Health Services Phlebotomy Technician I or II certificate. (Chapter 3, Division 2 of the Business and profession’s Code and Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.

OR

Possession of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Trainee Certificate

AND

Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Responder or Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Responder certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Responder certification and competency.

Knowledge Of:

Clinical Laboratory Assistant I:

Basic phlebotomy methods and techniques; fundamentals of physical and life sciences universal precautions; sterile technique; use and care of laboratory equipment.

Clinical Laboratory Assistant II:

Laboratory methods and procedures, fundamentals of physical and life sciences; use and care of laboratory equipment.

Ability To:

Organize and prioritize tasks; perform complex laboratory tasks; operate micro computer, associated software and peripheral equipment; communicate effectively and work well with others.

Supplemental:

A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers”. In the event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.