Laboratory Technical Assistant-NU

Company Description

Located in Largo in the heart of Prince George’s County, our new state-of-the-art regional medical center (UM Capital Region Medical Center) will provide improved access to primary and ambulatory care services and serve as a tertiary care center for critically ill patients. In addition, our new space will allow us to expand our offerings as a community partner to help improve the health status of Prince George’s County residents.

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the laboratory manager and designated supervisory staff, the Laboratory Technical Assistant NU performs a variety of technical functions including phlebotomy and accessioning in support of diagnostic testing for patient care. Incumbents in this position are scheduled to work less than 1000 hours per year.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Principal Duties:

1. Greets patients, verifies patient identity by standard protocol, and collects blood specimens using a variety of techniques (venipuncture, heel sticks, fingerstick). Assures timely and accurate collection of blood specimens.
2. Performs complication-free venipunctures obtaining high quality specimens for laboratory testing through accurate selection of collection tubes and correct technique; demonstrates good judgment in the selection of the collection procedure/site
3. Follows phlebotomy and department policies and procedures; documents collected, unable, unavailable, and cancelled orders accurately according to department protocol.
4. Assures that all specimens are delivered in a timely manner to the laboratory for testing.
5. Provides training in phlebotomy techniques to students, laboratory employees, or other designated personnel as required.
6. Maintains adequate levels of phlebotomy supplies to perform collection procedures. Maintains phlebotomy tray and working area in an organized, sanitary condition at all times.
7. Verify registration and prescription lab orders on outpatients; draw outpatients including glucose tolerance tests.
8. Perform order entry, add on, receipt, and other required functions in the Lab Information System.
9. Process, label, and centrifuge STAT and routine samples and deliver to appropriate laboratory section for manual or automated processing.
10. Ascertain appropriateness of barcode labeling for automation system; correct problems with barcode labels prior to placement on the system.
11. Receive, aliquot, process, and store reference laboratory samples appropriately for courier pick-up.
12. Notify authorized personnel of specimen errors (labeling, QNS, etc.) which prevent sample processing.
13. Document all quality occurrences according to the Quality Plan of the Department.
14. Prioritize the processing of specimens according to laboratory policy and place appropriate alert labels i.e. STAT specimens.
15. Handle telephone, fax and other inquiries concerning laboratory results, status of specimens, specimen requirements, and general laboratory requests.
16. Generate required copies of all clinical laboratory results on client request including report distribution, autofaxing, manual faxing, and mailing of results.
17. Ensure that all laboratory phlebotomy and processing labels/documents are retained as required.
18. Perform DOP Cerner functions as required.

Customer Service: 

• Greets customers in courteous, friendly, respectful and professional manner at all times, including maintaining eye contact when appropriate.
• Follows communication protocols to both internal and external customers, including introducing him/herself with job title and experience, asking open ended questions, such as “How may I be of help to you?” using the customer’s name as soon as it is learned.
• Responds promptly and appropriately to customer questions/concerns/complaints and attempts immediate resolution.
•  Keeps customer’s information confidential, including public places such as elevators or the cafeteria.
• Provides assistance and offers help immediately, including finding someone else to meet the request, if unable to do so him/herself. Introduce other staff to customers when a hand-off occurs and explain that the person will provide excellent service.
• Demonstrates commitment to excellent service recovery when a customer’s expectations have not been met.

Commitment to Co-Workers:

• Offers assistance to colleagues and other departments when needed.
• Takes responsibility for solving problems regardless of origin; completes assignments, and respects deadlines.
• Resolves conflict directly with colleagues and seeks assistance from others if the issue cannot be resolved. Refrains from criticism in public.
• Mindful and respectful of others’ time and schedules. Attends meetings on time and communica