The Role
Coordinates clinical laboratory send-out testing by preparing, labeling, documenting, packaging, tracking, and resolving issues with specimens sent to external laboratories. Ensures regulatory, safety, quality, and chain-of-custody compliance; manages supplies; serves as the reference-laboratory subject matter expert; trains staff; collaborates with internal teams and external partners; and improves send-out processes.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Senior Laboratory Send-Out Testing Coordinator will oversee the preparation, packaging, and sending of laboratory specimens to external testing facilities. Ensures the accuracy of specimen handling, compliance with established protocols, and adherence to regulatory standards while maintaining a commitment to high-quality patient care. Effectively collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and external partners. Supports the seamless coordination of external testing services partners and upholds the integrity of the hospital and clinical laboratory practices, procedures, and regulations.
Responsibilities
About Us
Benefits Overview
- Properly handle, label, and prepare specimens for send-out to external laboratories, ensuring compliance with medical, safety, and regulatory standards.
- Ensure accurate documentation and tracking of all sent specimens, including recording transport details and maintaining chain of custody.
- Package specimens securely in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations for transport to external laboratories.
- Verify the correct specimen types, patient information, and test orders before sending out to external labs, resolving any discrepancies or issues.
- Liaise with external laboratories and internal teams to track specimens and resolve any issues that arise during the send-out process.
- Monitor and maintain the inventory of send-out supplies, ensuring the lab is fully stocked with necessary materials for packaging and shipping.
- Adhere to all laboratory safety protocols, legal regulations (e.g., HIPAA, CAP, JACHO, OSHA), and quality assurance standards to maintain a safe working environment.
- Serve as the subject matter expert for all reference laboratory testing.
- Train new employees on all processes related to reference laboratory testing.
- Reference Laboratory contracted personnel will report to the Send-Out testing supervisor.
- Regularly assess and optimize send-out testing processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy
- Stay informed about industry trends and technological advancements in laboratory medicine, recommending and implementing improvements as appropriate
- Completed all other duties as assigned.
- Advanced proficiency in a wide range of clinical laboratory tests, procedures, and methodologies.
- Comprehensive understanding of laboratory safety protocols, quality control principles, and best practices.
- In-depth knowledge of medical terminology and complex laboratory equipment operation.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
- Outstanding customer service skills, with a focus on building positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Efficiently navigate and utilize Laboratory Information Systems (LIS).
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) systems and other relevant healthcare software.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive records.
- Excellent analytical skills to interpret laboratory data and identify discrepancies or anomalies.
- Able to troubleshoot technical issues and implement effective solutions.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and new technologies in laboratory medicine.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in healthcare related field required
Certification/Licensure:
- MLS Required
About Us
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence — advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more. With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture.
Benefits Overview
UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits.
Medical - UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists. Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.
Dental - Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist.
Vision - Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.
Disability - Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.
FSAs - Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Retirement - Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees. Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers.
Time Off - A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:
- Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
- Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
- Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
- Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.
Discounts - Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.
EEO Statement
UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification or licensure
- Advanced proficiency in clinical laboratory tests, procedures, and methodologies
- Comprehensive understanding of laboratory safety protocols, quality control principles, and best practices
- In-depth knowledge of medical terminology and complex laboratory equipment operation
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Outstanding customer service and stakeholder relationship-building skills
- Proficiency with Laboratory Information Systems (LIS)
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Familiarity with electronic health record systems and healthcare software
- Strong attention to detail and accurate recordkeeping
- Excellent analytical skills for interpreting laboratory data and identifying discrepancies
- Ability to troubleshoot technical issues and implement effective solutions
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and new laboratory technologies
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The Company
What We Do
UT Health San Antonio™, one of the country’s leading health sciences universities, is the leader in south/central Texas funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The university’s schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced more than 33,000 alumni. The $806.6 million operating budget supports four campuses in San Antonio and Laredo, and is the primary driver of its community’s $37 billion biomedical and health care industry. For more information on the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit uthealthsa.org.
