Lab Support Specialist I - Molecular Lab

Position Summary:

As a Lab Support Specialist I, you are responsible for the quality and accuracy of your work. To assist the technologists in the performance of laboratory duties, which include but are not limited to labeling, organizing, and maintaining COVID, blood chemistry, histology, and urine samples and procedures. Responsible for providing technical assistance, expertise, day-to-day specimen problem solving and following all laboratory safety guidelines.

Essential Job functions:

Duties may include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

• Any and all tasks delegated by management.

• Ability to handle all specimen types (including leaks).

• Establish positive patient identifications.

• Identify and process problem specimens.

• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills that foster a positive environment.

• Display the ability to learn and understand specimen types related to test(s) ordered by our providers and sites.

• Maintain composure while working in a high-energy, high-production environment.

• Always demonstrate good judgment when determining what action to take when processing

• samples. Always seek supervisory or manager assistance, if needed.

• Understand the strict quality regulations related to test ordering and how it relates to patient care.

• Adheres to safety and quality policies and procedures.

• Maintain departmental production goals to ensure hourly specimen flow to the labs are consistent.

• Report malfunctioning workstations to management.

• Escalate any or all problems or questions to a group lead and supervisor if needed.

• Maintain accuracy (double check all work prior to releasing).

• Disinfect the workstation before and after use. Keep the workstation neat and clean.

• Identify requisitions that are continually failing to download, have missing information, etc. to be brought to the attention of the supervisor for rectification.

• Produce quality, error free work.

• May be asked to train employees.

• Perform an end-of-shift check of workstation to ensure “No Specimens Left Behind.”

• Make suggestions for process improvement.

• Cross-train within the divisions of accessioning.

• Establish positive patient identification (requisitions vs. samples).

• Adhere to all departmental and company policies.

• Ability to change schedules to accommodate department workflow.

• Maintain confidentiality. Adhere to HIPAA guidelines.

• Ability to review test codes and specimen types correctly in LIS.

• Follow all processing procedures.

• Centrifuge specimens that are delivered to the lab after an appropriate amount of time has elapsed for proper clotting.

• Ability to research and review patient test orders in Athena LIS.

• Adhere to any other functions delegated by management.

• Performs pipetting, organizing of samples as needed.

• Maintain departmental production goals to ensure hourly specimen flow to the labs is consistent.

General Job functions:

• Perform all other duties as assigned.

• Work requires close attention to detail, accuracy, and quality.

Physical Job Requirements

• Endurance (e.g. continuous typing, prolonged standing/bending, walking lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling)

• Work requires sitting, standing, and / or walking for periods of up to eight hours.

• Dexterity of hands and fingers

• Physical strength to lift heavy objects, carts, or items, taking frequency and weight into consideration.

• The normal performance of duties may require lifting and carrying objects: Objects 1 to 10 pounds.

• Physical mobility, which includes movement from place to place on the job, taking distance and speed into account.

• Balance is maintained during climbing, bending and/or reaching.

• Physical agility, which includes the ability to maneuver the body while in place.

• Ability to handle the physical requirements of the position.

Environmental Risks:

• Chemicals, Sharps, Latex, Chemotherapy and Fumes

• Loud noises

• Vibration

• Extreme temperatures

• Confined spaces

• Allergens:  dust, mold and/or pollen

• Magnetic fields

• Radiation

• Combative patients/visitors

Blood-borne Pathogen:

• Exposure to infectious hazards, blood, body fluids, non-intact skin or tissue specimens.

• Contact with patients or patient specimens is possible.

• Unplanned or unexpected exposure.

• Exposure to infectious hazards, blood, and other body fluids.

Education, Certification, Computer and Training Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent work, required.

• Medical terminology is preferred, but not required.

• Accessioning experience is preferred, but not required.

• Standard Office Equipment (Phone, Fax, Copy Machine, Scanner, Email/Voice Mail).

• Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)

• Ability to work in a high volume, fast paced environment.

• Ability to multitask.

• The ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing, is required.

• Possible exposure to infectious specimens, communicable diseases, toxic substances, and other conditions common to a laboratory environment.

• Ability to read numbers.

• Methods of Evaluation: Documented evaluations occur at the end of full training and periodically thereafter.

Travel:

• None Required.