Specialty Laboratory Assistant

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Receive and open urine cytology specimens from hospital and outpatient entities

• Register and accession urine cytology specimens into LIS system

• Provide gross description for all urine cytology specimens

• Prepare, process, stain, and coverslip urine cytology specimens for microscopic evaluation

• Register and accession prostate biopsy specimens into LIS system

• Maintain all cytology processing equipment per maintenance schedule

• Record activities daily for quality assurance and maintenance activities

• Routing of slides and corresponding paperwork to cytotechnologists and pathologists

• Follow all safety protocols

• Dispose and label biohazard waste per local and state regulations

• Communicate specimen and/or client issues in a timely manner

• Maintain appropriate inventory and supplies for cytology processing

• General problem-solving skills

• General clerical duties – filing requisitions, filing slides, filing blocks

• Assess daily workflow in laboratory, providing support to other departments as needed

• Send out Pathology cases to Decipher, MD Anderson, Myriad, MDX Health, Tempus, Foundation One, Natera and other laboratories as needed.

• Prepare specimens for referral testing to include pulling slides and blocks, packaging samples, recording activities in slide send out module

• Request cases from offsite storage

• Package and send cases to offsite storage

• Provide updates and answer questions from clients via phone, fax, or email

• Other duties as assigned

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED)

• Maintains specimen identification and integrity throughout all processes of the department.

• Must begin and complete all assignments with minimal supervision.

• Must be able to collaborate with other departments, colleagues, and clients in problem-solving.

• Able to differentiate acceptable and unacceptable processing and staining of specimens.

• Data entry skills.

• Must show great attention to details and have the ability to remain calm in difficult situations.

• Attention to Detail – Maintains specimen integrity and ensures accuracy in labeling, accessioning, and processing.

• Technical Proficiency – Demonstrates ability to operate and maintain laboratory equipment and follow proper cytology processing techniques.

• Problem-Solving – Identifies and communicates specimen or client issues and collaborates effectively to resolve them.

• Time Management – Prioritizes workflow efficiently and supports multiple departments as needed.

• Communication – Clearly communicates issues and status updates with colleagues, supervisors, and clients.

• Collaboration – Works effectively with other team members and departments to ensure smooth laboratory operations.

• Adaptability – Remains calm and focused in fast-paced or difficult situations.

• Compliance – Adheres to safety protocols and regulatory guidelines regarding specimen handling and biohazard waste disposal.

• Clerical Accuracy – Performs filing and data entry duties with precision and efficiency.