Laboratory Support Technician Per Diem

Laboratory Support Technician - Per Diem

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs a variety of procedures with the receiving and/or processing of laboratory requisitions and specimens. Enters reference laboratory reports and technical data into the laboratory computer. Is responsible for the cost-effective utilization of reference laboratories. Has total understanding of patient safety and laboratory techniques necessary to guarantee complete patient safety and anonymity. Determines reference laboratory requirements when phlebotomist or customer specialist does not know how to input physician's order into Misys Computer.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives specimens from couriers and verifies that specimens match requisition request.

• Processes specimens including centrifugation, pour-off and aliquoting and maintaining specimen integrity and identity.

• Reconciles every "leftover" specimen with every "leftover" requisition in order not to miss physician request for patient testing.

• Sorts and triages specimens to appropriate workstation.

• Answers phone and communicates pertinent information to medical staff, physician office staff and phlebotomists throughout DKH network so that patients are not redrawn for blood work.

• Responsible for problem resolution with reference laboratories to prevent patient redraws and increase customer satisfaction with laboratory service.

• Responsible for contacting reference lab and determining what clerk and phlebotomist need to do to complete physician order.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Familiarity with laboratory information systems, including but not limited to, order entry, inquiry and specimen tracking.

• Excellent communication skills including telephone, written correspondence and speaking

• Knowledge of OSHA and those regulations relating to the use of hazardous chemicals in the histology laboratory

• Knowledge of anatomy and medical terminology

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Light work: exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally moving and lifting 5 gallon containers of chemicals and reams of paper

• Requires walking or standing to a significant degree, or requires sitting most of the time pulling or pushing arm or leg controls.

• Works at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and pulling of materials even though the weight of these materials is negligible.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• High stress level due to the necessity of meeting demands of the rapid turnaround time of the laboratory.

• Works with both hazardous and biohazardous materials while preparing specimens for testing.

REASONING, MATHEMATICAL AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT:

• Applies principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

• Interprets and extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.

• Deals with several abstract and concrete variables.

RELATIONSHIPS TO DATA, PEOPLE AND THINGS:

• Able to examine and evaluate data and present alternative actions

• Can give and receive assignments and or directions to and from hospital staff.

• Needs to use body or appropriate tools and work aids to work, move, guide or place objects or materials in situations where ultimate responsibility for the attainment of standards occur and selection of appropriate tools, objects or materials and the adjustment of the tools to the task requiring exercise of considerable judgment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required

• Current knowledge of Medical Technology/MLT background preferred

• Experience: 5 years of experience in a hospital lab preferred.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports the mission of the Laboratory, which is, "to provide quality diagnostic testing for the community in a cost effective manner, utilizing highly qualified and caring professionals and appropriate contemporary technology."

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality in a professional manner.

• Demonstrates competency in utilizing resources to accommodate cultural needs of patients and customers such as dietary, religious and language needs.

• Participates in performance improvement activities.

• Remains flexible in work schedule in order to provide the most effective and efficient support for the department and hospital mission.

• Demonstrates the ability to follow appropriate procedures/production techniques related to the care of patients from 5 months to 105 years.

• Demonstrates the ability to communicate and interact with patients and customers of all ages.

• Demonstrates knowledge of all department and hospital policies relevant to the performance of their responsibilities.

• Demonstrates knowledge and application of principles of fire safety, hazardous communication program, standard precautions, infection control, and general safety.

• Demonstrates knowledge, and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in assigned responsibility.

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development for ages specific to assigned responsibilities.

• Possesses ability to assess date reflective of the patient's' status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to age-specific needs.

• Consistently seeks ongoing education and training to maintain an awareness of how best to provide appropriate care based on age specific needs.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES:

• Verifies patient demographics on both the specimen with the requisition and accurately order entries the appropriate codes in the Laboratory Computer System for testing.

• Has ability to perform precise and accurate laboratory testing according to established laboratory procedures.

• In absence of support personnel can perform phlebotomy, planting in Microbiology, order entry and dispatch clerk functions to ensure continuation of patient care.

• Keeps all records of testing as demanded by CAP, Joint Commission and government regulations.

• Keeps procedure manual updated and in a fashion approved by CAP.

• Promotes the public image of the clinical laboratory through own professional image and conduct interacting with patients, other health care professionals and the public.

• Responsible for maintaining sufficient levels of supplies at work station and ensuring that supervisor knows of all supplies that need reordering.

• Responsible for reporting equipment malfunctions to supervisor, to ensure safety of all laboratory workers.

• Responsible for performing routine preventative maintenance of assigned laboratory equipment.

• Assists in the training of new employees.

• Assists in developing new procedures or applications.