Laboratory Assistant (Phlebotomist) - Full Time

Summary of Position :

The Laboratory Assistant serves as the primary support resource to the Clinical Laboratory Scientists in the provision of laboratory services utilizing established policies and procedures, ensuring safe and effective care. Laboratory assistants are responsible for phlebotomy, collection of arterial blood gases, legal collections, specimen handling, microbiology culture set up, customer service, registration and performing EKG’s.

Qualifications : Education :

• High School Diploma or GED preferred

Experience :

• Minimum of 6 months recent experience as a Laboratory Assistant in a hospital or medical laboratory preferred.
• Sufficient computer skills as are required to complete an online application and the pre-employment / annual Net Learning requirements
• In compliance with patient safety standards, must be able to effectively communicate in English; Bilingual abilities preferred.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities :

• Proper specimen collection techniques
• Customer Service
• Effective communication
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of regulatory and licensing standards.
• Ability to organize and prioritize job duties and assigned tasks for completion within expected timeframes
• Knowledge and practice of standard principles, processes, procedures, and equipment related to handling and processing biological specimens routinely submitted to the laboratory

Certifications / Licensure :

• Current California Phlebotomy Certificate Type I or II
• Current Nevada Laboratory Assistant license or obtain within 3 months of hire
• Current CPR / BLS certification by the American Heart Association (BLS for the Healthcare Provider)

Physical Demands :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, grip, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Lifts, positions, pushes and / or transfer patients.
• The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Routine Hospital / Healthcare & Office / Administrative conditions.
• Contact with patients and guests under a wide variety of circumstances.
• Regularly exposed to the risk of bloodborne diseases.
• Exposure to infections and contagious disease.
• Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids and waste.
• Subject to hazards of flammable and explosive gases.
• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations, including the handling of emergency or crisis situations.
• Subject to pressure due to irregular hours, frequent interruptions, and stressful situations due to multiple demands.
• Occasional travel to various health system locations.

Essential Functions :

1. Provides consistently exceptional care at all times.

2. Registers laboratory patients in accordance with the organization’s registration procedures. Accurately enters patient’s demographics, insurance information and verifies insurance eligibility.

3. Performs phlebotomy duties ensuring patient safety.

4. Performs Arterial blood gases ensuring patient safety.

5. Including computer test order entry and receiving.

6. Inoculates Microbiology specimens for gram stain and cultures.

7. Assists EKG department with performing EKGs with accurate lead placement.

8. Documents and performs legal urine, blood and breath collections.

9. Processes and prepares reference laboratory specimens for referral.

10. Manages, receives, and ensures that supplies are stored according to temperature requirement. Responsible for the proper rotation of stock ensuring that short-dated supplies are utilized first.

11. Collects and processes PKU specimens for genetic testing of newborns.

12. Recognizes unusual situations outside of his / her expertise and seeks guidance of supervisor or other appropriate laboratory staff.

13. Appropriately handles the following workflows :

a. STAT orders

b. Specimen integrity issues

c. Regular review of pending logs, priority assignments, etc.

d. Shift to shift hand-offs

e. Unexpected situations or problems such as equipment or IS failure

f. Fluctuations in volume

14. Assists in the training of new laboratory assistant personnel.

15. Is able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. The individual demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to identify each patient’s age-specific needs. All competencies are based on ages served.

16. Demonstrates a working knowledge of regulatory and licensing standards and ensures that practice is compliant with standards.

17. Demonstrates knowledge of performance improvement methodology (FOCUS PDCA). Participates in performance improvement teams & / or supports department and hospital-wide PI efforts.

18. Responds to the needs of the department by performing other duties, as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.