Medical Laboratory Assistant I

Overview :

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

At Bridgeport Hospital, we are committed to providing quality medical care and treatment that is coordinated and centered on the patient's specific needs. We strive to achieve benchmarks as a Patient Centered Medical Home and provide health care in a setting where patients are at the center of their care team. All employees of Bridgeport Hospital are part of the patients care team and contribute to the team approach of promoting access, continuous, comprehensive care and work to provide quality improvement in the care provided to their patients.

Responsible for receiving and processing specimens. Accession specimens in laboratory information system. Handle incoming phone calls and assisting with general lab supply management. Work in conjunction with Medical Laboratory Scientists.

EEO / AA / Disability / Veteran

Responsibilities :

• 1. Understands and adheres to Performance Standards, Policies and Behaviors
• 2. Demonstrate knowledge of department and hospital policies and procedures and their execution
• 3. Handle telephone inquiries, transfer as needed
• 4. Receive, accession and process specimens in order to ensure timely reporting of results. Ensures positive patient identification
• 5. Perform registration in HIS as needed
• 6. Process reference lab testing as needed
• 7. Perform testing as needed
• 8. Independently troubleshoot specimen-related problems
• 9. Assist with training new employees
• 10. Maintain hardware and equipment as needed
• 11. Uses computer programs in laboratory and hospital-based systems to ensure accurate data entry and retrieval
• 12. Perform other duties as needed
• 13. Blood bank (if applicable)

a.Announce MTP; assist with set up, issue, replacement of blood products.

b.Select ABO Rh compatible platelets and FFP, set up on patient, print compatibility tag.

c.Issue blood products after thorough review of blood product release form.

d.Accept blood products back into inventory or discard returned blood products after determining suitability.

e.May irradiate blood products and go to the OR to retrieve blood products

a.Understands sterile technique and best practices.

b.Pre-analytical specimen processing includes tissue grinding, media or lysis inoculation, and manual agar streaking.

c.Understands appropriate incubation environments based on specimen type and protocol.

d.Operates pre-analytical instrumentation including laboratory automation systems, centrifuges, biosafety cabinets, and environmental incubation systems.

e.Proficient in applicable staining techniques including Gram stain preparation.

a.Assist with FNAs and frozen sections when applicable. Assist with office duties as needed.

b.Sign off on the hazardous waste manifest when needed.

c.Package and ship all AP specimens.

d.Registration of all AP samples.

e.Pre-analytical specimen processing includes aliquoting of specimens for additional testing

f.Slide / block cover slipping, distribution, and / or filing.

g.Disposal of pathology specimens

h.Maintaining cytology / histology department daily and monthly maintenance charts

f.Responsible for cleaning and maintenance in accordance with universal precautions

g.Under direct supervision of the pathologist assistant or pathologist, preserving samples for testing

h.Assist with H&E slide preparation, including loading and unloading of slides into / from auto-stainer, and operating cover slipper.

i.Transcribe pathology gross description and / or diagnosis.

Qualifications : EDUCATION

HS Diploma or equivalency exam

EXPERIENCE

Experience not required

SPECIAL SKILLS

Excellent communication skills and customer service skills.

Basic computer skills

Consistently interacts with coworkers and customers in a positive manner. Cooperatively and proactively assists in other areas as needed in a teamwork-oriented environment. Maintains procedure knowledge and implements all new and revised procedures in real-time. Maintains all Quality Control and Quality Assurance standards at all times.

EEO / AA / Disability / Veteran.