Laboratory Assistant

About This Role

The Laboratory Assistant plays a crucial role in specimen processing and test performance, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and contributing to quality patient care. This position is well-suited for someone who can work under the supervision of medical technologists or laboratory technicians and is dedicated to maintaining high standards in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Follow the laboratory’s policy, processes, and procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analysis, and maintaining records of patient results under the general supervision of certified testing personnel.
• Perform basic routine testing as ordered by medical professionals.
• Plate routine microbiology specimens.
• Perform point of care testing (i.e., influenza testing, pregnancy testing, etc.).
• Process and prepare specimens including microscope slides and reference laboratory packaging.
• Adhere to the laboratory’s Quality Control policies and document all Quality Control activities, instrument and procedural calibrations, and instrument maintenance under general supervision.
• Perform routine instrument preventative maintenance.
• Assist with quality control, linearity studies, and instrument comparison studies.
• Utilize computer software to perform statistical analysis for quality verification of reagents and test systems.
• Perform and document Corrective Actions when test systems are not within the established acceptable level of performance.
• Conduct proficiency testing under the general supervision of certified testing personnel to determine laboratory performance for specific tests.
• Maintain inventory control to ensure adequate supplies and reagents for laboratory operation.
• Actively participate in maintaining Laboratory Accreditation by adhering to safety standards, performance improvement, document control, quality assurance, proficiency, and competency.
• Participate in Continuing Education by attending department meetings and in-services.
• Responsible for electronic health records data entry pertinent to the patient service role.
• Provide superior customer service daily to all internal and external visitors, patients, and colleagues.
• Participate in communication including hand-off communication between shifts and colleagues. Participate in departmental workflow and testing teams related to electronic health records or other project initiatives.
• Ensure proper PPE is worn at all times while on duty, including face masks, gloves, gowns, isolation gowns, NIOSH-approved N95 respirators or higher, and eye or face shields if available.
• Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe manner and discard used PPE accordingly.
• Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for surfaces contaminated by communicable diseases to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee, and external customer satisfaction.