A laboratory assistant plays a crucial role in supporting various pathology departments, including Phlebotomy, Processing, Transporting, Posting, Billing, Ancillary testing, Anatomical Pathology, Blood Bank, Special Testing, and Microbiology. This position involves processing patients, specimens, orders, reports, and requests, as well as assisting pathologists and residents with autopsies, all while maintaining accuracy and timeliness in a courteous manner.
Responsibilities
Perform duties in Phlebotomy, Processing, Transporting, Posting, Billing, Ancillary testing, Anatomical Pathology, Blood Bank, Special Testing, and Microbiology, or other departments within the Pathology laboratory following prescribed procedures
Process patients, specimens, orders, reports, and requests
Assist pathologists and residents in the performance of autopsies
Collect and transport specimens in a courteous, timely, and accurate manner
Refer unusual problems to appropriate superior
Set priorities with changing workload to ensure the final reporting of test results are within prescribed time limits
Accurately and precisely perform duties following clinical procedures and standards
Ensure that patient identification information matches test request information consistently
Perform routine, timed, and STAT venipuncture or capillary sticks from any patient
Correctly label tubes and requisitions consistently
Respond to STAT orders immediately and meet turnaround times for routine and STAT specimens consistently
Record appropriate comments in the Hospital Information System when applicable
Collect and enter charges in a timely manner
Record test volumes accurately
Handle equipment as trained
Recognize and report computer malfunctions to supervisory personnel
Be responsible for specimen collection and adhere to laboratory phlebotomy policies and procedures
Identify patient correctly consistently
Prepare phlebotomy trays and properly dispose of used equipment
Obtain specimens without assistance consistently
Coordinate drawing so the patients do not have to be stuck unnecessarily
Use correct labeling procedures consistently
Be responsible for proper specimen processing, follow procedures for reference work and billing of patients
Determine suitability of submitted specimens, check for proper labeling, receive specimen in the hospital information system, and re-label specimen tubes by laboratory procedures consistently
Centrifuge samples, prepare aliquots, and properly store specimens according to test instructions consistently
Distribute processed specimens to the appropriate departments in a timely basis, process routine specimens correctly within one hour, and stats within one half hour
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Prepare specimens and requisitions from reference laboratories accurately and file reports according to procedure consistently
Record results from reference laboratories accurately and file reports according to hospital procedures
Credit/charge in the hospital information system or prepare batches for Data Processing
Be responsible for scheduled hospital rounds and STAT transporting within 15 minutes
Follow established procedures for the basic operation of the tube system
Perform and document Preventive Maintenance and Quality Control in a timely manner, when necessary
Issue units (RBC, FFP, Platelets, and Cry) per departmental procedure
Use Compliance Checker software accurately
Accession specimens accurately, recognize, and resolve discrepancies
Label blocks properly
Maintain department supplies
Perform diener duties according to department procedures
File blocks/slides tissues accurately and in a timely fashion
Prepare paperwork for registration and do follow-up
Demonstrate the ability to assess a situation, consider alternatives, and choose the appropriate course of action
Work well under pressure, remaining calm and organized
Ensure competency according to laboratory competency and education guidelines by completing training checklists and annual competency
Demonstrate ability to relate to coworkers in a professional and respectful manner, in order to assure and promote a culture of safety
Provide good customer service with an accurate, prompt, and courteous response for inquiries from patients, physicians, and other hospital staff
Answer telephone calls by the third ring and identify oneself according to the scripted message
Use a tone of voice which demonstrates a caring attitude and a willingness to help
Display courtesy with other staff, physicians, students, and volunteers as internal customers
Recognize the needs and expectations of those people SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital serves
Answer the telephones by responding to requests in a caring and timely fashion, utilizing the approved script
Extend apologies as appropriate when service fails and endeavor to take corrective action, and explain delays
Explain rationale and offer alternatives when unable to fulfill a request
Present employee identification to customers by properly wearing identification badges and extending a personal introduction
Solicit customer feedback to improve service
Display understanding of how job relates to others
Work independently when necessary without direct supervision
Utilize problem-solving skills in a variety of situations which require corrective actions consistently
Handle general lab issues as indicated, always exercising sound and professional judgment in determining items that require referral
Inform immediate supervisor in a timely and accurate manner of all decisions made
Identify viability of specimens and communicate problems to appropriate personnel
Correctly locate and fill in patient or other information when missing
Recognize inappropriate specimens and specimens with collection and/or labeling errors and take appropriate action to obtain a new specimen and record problems in hospital information system
Assume initiative to resolve problems
Assume responsibility and ownership in solving problems and help to resolve complaints
Apply high-quality management and leadership principles to foster continued employee development
Treat each other and patients with respect and dignity
Hold integrity and honesty as the most important principle and perform at the highest ethical standard at all times
Work with diverse populations (patient, staff, physicians) under difficult and stressful situations and support the team approach
Utilize positive and constructive criticism to improve overall practice and maintain a positive attitude
Understand and support the needs of individuals in other departments, work as a team to achieve mutual goals, and aid and promptly respond to requests
Communicate and follow the organizational chain of command for notification of patient care/service issues when appropriate
Use complaints as opportunities by being supportive and addressing concerns promptly with courtesy and respect
Maintain professional growth, development, competency, and education through reading, seminars, workshops, conferences, and professional affiliations
Offer opinion and information that reflect positively on SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital
Understand how individual job performance affects department and hospital growth
Establish yearly personal goals that enhance job skill and performance
Maintain quality of work with the up and down of the department workload
Maintain high productivity levels
Accept, follow up, and complete all additional duties that will need to be performed to maintain quality work and provide excellent service to customers
Be a change agent to accomplish additional duties
Willingly accept new tasks in the daily shift routine
Proactively reprioritize tasks to accomplish all requirements in time allotted
Be responsible for the supervision and teaching of students
Train new employees and identify and refer training needs to manager in a timely manner with verification of checklists, tests, and evaluations
Achieve standards of excellence that become the benchmark of industry practices
Strive for daily improvement in everything performed
Use innovation and creativity to identify and solve problems
Be aware of and follow all hospital and departmental policies and procedures
Clock in by the scheduled start time of the shift and be ready for work, continuing to work until scheduled departure time, and leaving as scheduled unless overtime or leaving early is approved by supervisor
Readily accept work assignments in a positive manner
Perform work that is accurate, neat, and consistent, with legible documentation
Ensure that the right of all patients is respected and maintained by allowing for privacy, cultural diversity, and dignity in the provision of care
Avoid use of work time for personal business
Return from lunch and breaks promptly
Be willing to adjust personal schedule in case of emergency department need
Demonstrate ongoing fiscal accountability, using both time and supplies efficiently and effectively to minimize waste or overtime and maximize productivity
Ensure that personnel and supplies of the organization are used in a cost-effective manner
Identify cost saving strategies for department/hospital
Submit accurate hospital charges
Respond to changes in workload using time to departmental advantage
Minimize overtime as approved
Practice according to safety and infection control policies
Practice universal precautions and dispose of hazardous wastes per established guidelines
Maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for patients/families/employees in accordance with hospital standards
Maintain a clutter-free environment
Keep conversations and background noise to a minimum
Adhere to dress code
Report risk management concerns
Assume responsibility for completing all annual mandatory requirements: Safety/Fire, Blood Borne Pathogen, Hazardous Communication, TB, Department Specific, Age Appropriate Care (if appropriate)
Consistently use personal protective equipment (PPE) as mandated
Work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner
Demonstrate Target 100 service always to department customers; patients, physicians, each other, visitors, other departments, and University employees
Meet the needs of each patient, whose care is the primary purpose and mission
Demonstrate courteous, polite, friendly, and cooperative behavior toward others
Support and participate in activities that promote customer satisfaction
Utilize approved hospital scripts for telephone calls
Encourage other staff to demonstrate Target 100 service skills
Ensure communication of workflow and/or issues about incomplete or pending tests, instruments, or departmental problems
Perform any other duties or responsibilities that may be assigned
Incorporate Quality Assessment into daily work
Offer suggestions for departmental and/or hospital-wide performance/process improvement
Get involved and demonstrate initiative to solve quality problems by direct action and/or PI committee work
Put supplies away and rotate stock
Help maintain appropriate amount of supplies
Crosstrain when necessary and maintain competency
Excel in current internal and external customer service expectations and has documented evidence
Be knowledgeable in regulatory issues
Maintain proper documentation for all self-achievements
Consistently flex schedule to accommodate department needs
Serve as a resource person for the department by informing senior personnel of unusual problems/issues, providing medical personnel of proper phlebotomy instructions for specific tests or specific department procedures and policies, and helping medical staff with finding results and proper specimen requirements for reference testing
Follow up with medical staff when inappropriate specimens are submitted
Requirements
High School Diploma, GED, or grandfathered through experience
Good oral, written, and electronic data communication skills enabling the translation of facts to/from a variety of sources both within and outside of the laboratory
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to work with and interpret numbers and figures
Ability to manage time, organize daily schedule to meet productivity standards, and cope with professional stress
Work requires the knowledge and skills necessary to provide direct patient care appropriate to patient population of specialty:
Adult (15 - 65 years)
Geriatric (>65 years)
Manual dexterity, coordination, and skillful use of hands when working with equipment
Ability to tolerate exposure to hazardous chemicals
Sufficiently sighted, including color discrimination, to perform analyses
Physical limitations must not impede working with instrumentation and moving easily between multiple workstations
Ability to physically perform necessary documentation in writing or using tape recorder
Physical and mental abilities to meet expected turnaround times in the lab environment and customer service
Exposure to blood and body fluids
Exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other biological hazards
Subject to electrical hazards
Exposure to tuberculosis that requires the use of protective equipment
Ability to input and retrieve information from instrumentation and laboratory information systems
