Lab Assistant II

Shift: Nights

Job Type: Full Time

Hours:

Reporting to the Laboratory Director, Operations Coordinator, Technical Supervisors and Clinical Laboratory Scientists, the Laboratory Assistant II Chemistry/Micro/BB/Pathology is responsible for correctly and efficiently performing technical procedures and Quality Control in one or more sections of the Clinical laboratory, operating and maintaining instrumentation as assigned, taking steps necessary to assure accurate reports, performing clerical and phlebotomy tasks as needed.  Note:  The Laboratory Assistant works under the direct supervision of a Clinical Laboratory Scientists, and all reports are reviewed and co-signed by a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Every employee of the laboratory at Doctors Medical Center is expected to promote the mission and philosophy of the hospital by acting in a caring, courteous and confidential manner towards patients, visitors, colleagues, and staff by performing their duties and responsibilities according to the expected standards.  Every member of the Laboratory Staff is expected to perform their duties and to accept the responsibility of the accuracy of their work as dictated in their Professional Standards as Clinical Laboratory Scientists or Health Care Workers.  Staff members will maintain confidentiality of all reports, maintain the integrity of identification of patient samples and will perform designated tasks which will enable the laboratory to comply with all regulatory standards of Clinical and Anatomic Laboratories.                

Position Accountabilities 
1. If certified by the State of California as a Phlebotomy Technician (CPT 1 or CPT 2) is accountable for collecting blood samples from patients in a timely manner.  Identifies the patient correctly before performing venipuncture or capillary collection of samples.  Collects samples appropriate for the test requested.  Maintains proficiency in the collection of capillary and venous samples.  Accessions and processes patient samples while maintaining the integrity of the identification of the sample.                        
2. Performs moderately complex testing, as approved by the laboratory director.  A CLS verifies work and reports. Accountable for producing accurate patient results.  Properly identifies, accessions, and processes specimens.  Operates laboratory instruments and performs manual procedures according to protocol as assigned.  Efficiently and expediently performs procedures.                        
3. When performing moderately complex testing is accountable for assuring that quality results are generated.  Properly performs Quality Control and verifies with CLS. Performs preventative maintenance as assigned.  Checks any flagged values.  Observes and troubleshoots irregularities in results and/or instrument operation and reports them to the Clinical Laboratory Scientists.                         
4. Accountable for providing clerical support to the section.  Answers telephone in a courteous, professional and efficient manner.  Answers questions and routes calls appropriately and takes proper messages.  Utilizes the Cerner system to order, acknowledge, charge, cancel, etc.  Controls inventory of the section assigned.  Maintains Chemistry Accession area.                        
5. Accountabilities specific for Microbiology Laboratory Assistant:  Properly identifies, accessions and processes specimens for routine culture.  Anaerobic Culture, Fungal Culture, Acid Fast Bacillus Culture and Direct Smears, Ova and Parasite preparations and send-outs.  Properly inoculates MIC’s and ID systems.  Properly disinfects work area and discards contaminated materials.  Completes reports, files computer printouts and slides.  Documents daily temperatures of all temperature dependent equipment. Stocks micro set-up area with supplies.                        
6. Accountable for job knowledge.  Learns new procedures in allotted time.  Retains knowledge with little or no review.  Maintains awareness of changes in laboratory procedures, policies, and protocols.                        
7. Accountabilities specific for Chemistry Lab Assistant:  Operates accessioning area according to written procedure.  Documents daily temperatures of all temperature dependent equipment.  Properly disinfects work areas and discards contaminated materials.  Receives and processes specimens in the accession area of the laboratory to include maintaining the integrity of identification of the patient, labeling the specimen, centrifugation if necessary and distribution to the proper section of the laboratory. Properly identifies and processes specimens for send-out testing.  Coordinates courier service for specimen pickup.  Operates chemistry instruments according to written procedure, when applicable.  Assists in the up-dating of specimen requirements as received from referral laboratories and communication changes to the Phlebotomy Supervisor and staff.  Evaluates sample integrity and notifies CLS if problem (e.g., lipemia, hemolysis, icterus, or short sample).  Processes supplies to their appropriate location and documents invoices and order sheets.  Assists with POC limited support of operations.            
8. Accountabilities specific for Transfusion Service Lab Assistant:  Enters blood products received using Cerner computer system, makes tags for Inventory Board.  Dispenses blood units and components to nursing staff.  Defrosts frozen blood components when ordered for transfusion.  Releases blood units from cross match.  Thaws and pools units of FFP and CRYO when ordered for transfusion.  Cleans thawing baths, automatic cell washers and Immucor centrifuge rotors weekly.  Disinfects work surfaces and disposes of patient specimens properly.  Centrifuges patient specimens and assures integrity of patient identification.  Investigates patient transfusion history and records findings on Work Card.  Prepares IGLOO for transport of blood to the OR or the ER.  Receives returned IGLOO and completes documentation of final disposal of blood units. Changes temperature charts on all monitored equipment weekly.                        
9. Accountable for performing any other duties and functions necessary for the efficient and economic operation of the laboratory                        

Position Qualifications                        
                        
Minimum Education: High School graduate preferred.                
                        
Minimum Experience/Skills: One to two years’ experience                                               
                        
Physical Demands:  

• Frequent walking, standing
• Lift/position up to 30 lbs. Push/pull up to 50 lbs of force.
• Reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching
• Manual dexterity and mobility
• Touch, auditory and visual perception and acuity
• Adequate vocal pitch and volume              

Vision Requirements: 

• Ability to read printed material, gauges, etc., clearly and accurately
• Use of corrective lenses required if such lenses are needed to perform work correctly.   

                      
Working Conditions:        

• Regularly exposed to the risk of contagious and blood borne diseases, subject to varying and unpredictable situation, emergency and crisis situations, exposure to biohazard materials, increased stress due to multiple phones calls and inquiries                

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Doctors Medical Center of Modesto Hospital is committed to providing exceptional patient care in a supportive and collaborative environment. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work with advanced technology and be part of a healthcare community dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of our patients.

At Doctors Medical Center of Modesto, we understand that our greatest asset is our dedicated team of professionals. That’s why we offer more than a job – we provide a comprehensive benefit package that prioritizes your health, professional development, and work-life balance. The available plans and programs include:

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off
• Career development and continuing education opportunities
• Health savings accounts, healthcare & dependent flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance program, Employee discount program
• Voluntary benefits include pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long term care, elder & childcare, auto & home insurance

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location and is determined by employment status

Doctors Medical Center (DMC), part of the Central Valley Doctors Health System, is the largest full-care hospital between Stockton and Fresno, and from the Sierras to the San Francisco Bay Area, with a 394-bed general acute care and a 67-bed inpatient psychiatric capacity. DMC is known for providing comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and emergency care. Doctors Medical Center offers a wide range of services including cardiology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, emergency and trauma services, minimally-invasive and robotic surgery, women and childrens services, medical/surgical, behavioral health, oncology and critical/intensive care. Join our team!