LAB ASSISTANT

Overview

Laboratory Assistant, General Laboratory

PRN/OCC, Variable Hours & Shifts

Morristown Hamblen Overview:

Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System has 167 licensed beds and 23 emergency suites. The hospital offers outstanding ancillary services including Laboratory, Radiology and Therapy services. At our Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, women can have their annual mammograms, biopsies, and can meet with a nurse navigator if needed. The Women’s Center offers six newly remodeled labor and delivery suites and has a secure nursery for the care of our newborns. It serves an eight-county region in the Lakeway Area and is equipped with modern technologies and expert staff to provide the best possible patient care. Learn more about our amazing facility at https://www.morristownhamblen.com/.

Position Summary:

An employee in this position must be able to perform in the following areas: collection and proper handling of venous and capillary blood specimens for both in and out patients, responsibility for the safety and comfort of customers, clerical/computer duties, and courier responsibilities as required for the position.

Recruiter: Alexa Robbins || arobbin2@covhlth.com || 865-374-8110

Responsibilities

• Customer service and specimen collection is recognized as the first priority.
• Transcribes medical orders in a timely manner, orders the appropriate laboratory tests as indicated for patients, lab contracts, and specimens. Follows-up on all verbal orders with requests for written orders.
• Responsible for answering the departmental telephones and transferring calls to proper laboratory/pathology section; follows through with problem resolution; assists physicians/staff in obtaining, faxing or telephone receipt of laboratory test results; and responsible for strict adherence to proper handling of confidential test results.
• Responsible for use of HIS, LIS and reference lab computer systems (i.e. Mayo, etc.) as appropriate for specific hospital facility.
• Knowledgeable of manual systems for ordering, collection, verification, and charting in instances of computer failure.
• Properly processes, all specimens including accessioning; recognition of test priorities; centrifugation; separation/processing, logging and special collection requirements.
• Properly collects blood samples from venous and/or capillary (heel or finger) sites as required by facility. Proper use of aseptic technique in the collection of blood culture specimens. Accurately labels all specimens. Proper use of blood bank armband and labeling system.
• Strict adherence to proper identification of patient’s name and DOB by hospital armband and asking the patient his/her name, or by asking the RN to visually identify the patient.
• Strict adherence to proper disposal of needles/sharps, and used gloves during phlebotomy.
• Maintain clerical and phlebotomy work areas in a neat and sanitary manner.
• Responsible for participation in Laboratory performance improvement activities.
• Complies with Laboratory policies and procedures, including Exposure Control, Chemical Hygiene Plan, Disaster Plan, the Joint Commission standards, CLIA and State regulations.
• May be a resource for difficult sticks.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED. Preference may be given to individuals possessing a HS diploma or GED.

Minimum Experience:

None

Licensure Requirement:

Certification by NCA, ASCP, ASPT, or comparable institution is desirable.