Lab Assistant I at SouthCoast Health in Savannah, GA

JOB SUMMARY:

SouthCoast Health Lab Assistants are responsible for completing laboratory procedures as ordered by providers, properly collecting specimens to meet testing requirements determined by specific laboratory guidelines utilizing aseptic technique and following OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards. SouthCoast Health Lab Assistants must possess knowledge of OSHA and CLIA requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Creates a caring and healing environment that keeps the patient and family at the center of care throughout their experience at SouthCoast.
• Engages patients, their family, and/or caregiver to ensure patients care needs are met and, where possible, exceeded in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Communicates with and assists physicians, patients, and coworkers in a professional and courteous manner.
• Properly identifies patient and appropriate patient care instructions. Performs venipuncture, and capillary punctures on patients. Identifies and labels specimens. Conducts laboratory tests on specimen.
• Seeks clarification of any questionable test request prior to specimen collection.
• Accurately maintains patient logs with date, patient name, lab accession number, lab test ordered, and laboratory used to perform testing.
• Complies with OSHA and CLIA standards.
• Utilizes appropriate reference laboratory requisitions with patient demographics information, billing information, test requested and appropriate diagnosis codes.
• Follows appropriate billing procedures, sample handling, and preparation as designated by reference laboratory.
• Performs daily maintenance, quality control, quality assurance, and sample analysis.
• Reviews and reports patient test results utilizing laboratory instrumentation and test kits.
• Logs provider orders in accession log. Documents in charts in an accurate and timely manner.
• Completes waived and, when applicable, moderate complexity laboratory testing accurately and timely.
• Consults with Medical Technologist or Lab Director when questions arise concerning provider orders, questionable results, or equipment failure.
• Documents quality control and proficiency survey results.

SouthCoast Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. Applicants selected for employment will be subject to pre-employment drug testing.

EDUCATION: High School graduate or equivalent. Prefer Associate Degree or Vocational School program for phlebotomy from an accredited college or technical school or equivalent experience. Prefer licensure, registry or certification, ASCP or equivalent.

EXPERIENCE: 6 months experience as Phlebotomist preferred.

REQUIREMENTS: Current BLS/CPR certification.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of safety procedures for the lab and utilize universal precautions.
• Knowledge of how to use laboratory equipment properly.
• Knowledge of laboratory regulatory requirements, preferred.

SKILLS:

• Skill in proper collection of specimens.
• Skill in following proper lab procedures and policies.
• Skill in computer lab software.
• Skill in the use of tact and professionalism when dealing with patients.

ABILITIES:

• Ability to exercise professionalism in dealing with all levels of personnel, patients and patients’ families.
• Ability to communicate clearly.

ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS:

Primarily laboratory setting. May be subject to infectious materials through the collection or handling of body fluids (i.e. blood, urine, sputum); caring for patients with highly infectious/contagious diseases. Annual Hepatitis B and TB testing required.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Position requires frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, pushing/pulling, lifting 30 lbs or more.
• Occasionally sitting and climbing to serve patients and the practice. Requires eye-hand coordination.
• Occasional stress from workload.

HIPAA:

This position shall have full access to information in a patient’s medical record in order to provide quality patient care. Patient information is to be held strictly confidential. Patient information will not be used or disclosed for any purpose other than the performance of job responsibilities and duties. Access to a user’s own medical record and/or family members medical records is strictly prohibited unless related to job responsibilities.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT STATEMENT:

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined on a case-by-case basis.