Lab Assistant II

Laboratory Technician Assistant

MAIN FUNCTION: 

The Lab Technician Assistant performs phlebotomy and other specimen collection. They use laboratory specific and hospital operating systems to conduct functions related to phlebotomy, order entry, result in look-up and report generation and specimen receiving and preparation. They answer phones and forward appropriate problems to the proper area.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Director, Laboratory 

MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS:

High School Diploma or GED

Must be a student actively enrolled in a clinical laboratory program and must persist in the program for the duration of employment; without this, position will be reclassified to Lab Assistant I.

Critical thinking skills

Ability to work independently or as a team

Familiarity with medical terminology

Phlebotomy training and / or experience OR Certificate in Medical Assisting or Phlebotomy

Medical Office or clerical related experience 

Computer literacy and multi-application competency

Follows appropriate Service Standards

NOTE:

• Employees in this position may be exposed to blood, bodily fluids, and/or airborne pathogens and are required to wear personal protective equipment.
• Employees in this position must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, turn, crouch, and bend as necessary to complete laboratory tasks.
• Employees in this position require color vision, finger dexterity, and perform repetitive hand movements.

Leadership

• Accepts and responds to change productively, while maintaining a positive attitude
• Demonstrates appropriate workplace behavior and competence in job duties. Work habits are consistently adjusted to accommodate multiple responsibilities and are prioritized and completed in an independent and timely manner. Effectively utilization of time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrates basic conflict resolution skills
• Completes all assignments and competency requirements on time
• Maintains an orderly working environment.

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POSITION EXPECTATIONS:  All expectations detailed below are considered ADA (American Disabilities Act) essential.

• Ability to serve as a single department receptionist, greeting patients, answering phones, and full registration functions.

• Inputs required patient information into computer in a complete, accurate manner according to procedures using good typing and clerical skills. 

• Communicates with appropriate clinical staff and/or charge person regarding urgent or add-on appointments.

Operations:

• Understands ad performs in words and action Wooster Community Hospitals core mission, vision, and values. 
• Follows all hospital policy and procedures as outlined in Policy Stat
• The Lab Technician Assistant performs phlebotomy and other specimen collection

• Utilize Lab Information System (LIS) and Hospital Information System (HIS) to conduct functions related to phlebotomy, order entry, result in look-up and report generation and specimen receiving and preparation

• Promptly answer phones and identify themselves and their department; forward appropriate concerns/issue to the proper area

• Performs specimen collection procedures (nasal, oropharyngeal, venipuncture, etc.)

• Enters orders

• Performs accessioning, centrifuging, and aliquoting

• Provides basic customer service

• Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation

• Draws blood

• Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control

• Perform shift work

• Maneuver weight of patients

• May have periods of constant interruptions
• Demonstrates competence in the sample collection process involving samples from all age groups utilizing venous, capillary, or heel-stick techniques and adjusting specimen collection approach appropriately for each situation:

1. Neonates (birth through 28 days)
2. Infants (29 days through 12 months)         
3. Pediatrics (1 year through 11 years)           
4. Adolescents (12 years through 18 years)    
5. Adults (19 years through 64 years)            
6. Geriatrics (65 years and older)                  

• Collects the proper amount of specimen in the proper collection container, labels specimens accurately and appropriately
• Routes specimens to appropriate area or department of the lab or reference lab
• Responds promptly to patients, with particular attention to STAT test orders. Notifies lab staff performing test procedure of STAT test order(s).
• Monitors proper labeling, dating, inventory, and storage of supplies. Restocks inventory, as necessary. 
• Seeks assistance of other staff members as needed
• Works in Laboratory and Patient Access areas as assigned according to the needs of the schedule. Maintains flexibility in scheduling and availability.
• Performs general clerical duties when applicable including reports, typing, answering phone calls, and messages with appropriate follow-up. 
• Opens and closes department according to procedure scheduled shift
• Other duties as assigned by management team

Customer Service

• Displays a positive attitude. Treats others with honesty and respect. Speaks positively in all internal or external customer interactions. Consoles and assists patients and families.
• Assesses customer satisfaction when interacting with patients and other non-patient customers and uses appropriate chain of command for unresolved issues or problems.
• Utilizes appropriate communication skills:
  1. Optimize the patient’s experience by reducing the patient and family’s anxiety
  2. Develop positive relationships with other departments to foster patient satisfaction
  3. Encouraging expression of ideas, concerns, and expectations by listening carefully, explaining information clearly and trying to understand the other’s experience. 
• Use face to face resolutions (crucial conversations) to intervene with patients or staff in situations where customer needs have not been met to determine a positive, mutually agreeable outcome.

• Always uses courteous telephone techniques when talking to physician's office, patients and all other phone calls received.

• Ability to answer patient or visitor questions and direct them where help is available.

• Promote hospital services

Staff Development / Personal Growth

In conjunction with the Department Director(s):

• Function as a preceptor, seeking learning opportunities for orientee. Interact with department director, to evaluate orientee progress toward goals, identifying additional needs.
• Demonstrate professional growth by participating in Performance Improvement Projects
• Demonstrates initiative and responsibility by developing personal, leadership, and career goals.
• Accepts feedback as opportunity for growth
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of new policies and procedures, practices, changes in practice, and initiatives. Obtains this knowledge via staff meeting attendance, reading of communication, required hospital education, and discussions with departmental leadership and peers.

Performance Improvement

• Identify processes to be improved and communicate to management team. Assists in data collection as directed.

• Develop and maintain an awareness of CAP (College of American Pathologists), CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment), DNV-GL, CMS (Centers for Medicare Services), as well as other quality and safety measures.

• Develop and maintain an ongoing understanding of current practice for the types of patients for whom care is provided.

Created 10/2022