Laboratory Assistant HFMG

POSITION SUMMARY:

To be fully engaged in providing No Harm / Quality, Customer Experience, and Stewardship by: working as a team to maintain responsible attitudes, performing accurate and timely processing of specimens.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Quality/No Harm:

* Complies with policies/processes/procedures to provide accurate results, quality products, and services with < 2 errors per year.
* Assures valid patient results, as applicable, as evidenced by zero patient or sample identification errors in the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of laboratory procedures.
* Understands and applies quality control and equipment quality control per department policy as measured by review of QC logs with < 5 errors per year.
* Monitors data management systems and inventory on a daily basis. Reports variances to the Supervisor/Manager.

Customer Experience:

* Complies with "I CARE" as measured by no positive disciplinary action per Human Resources Policy 4.01.
* Stewardship:
* Manages daily workload in a productive manner.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

* High school diploma or equivalent required
* MLT or lab assistant certification preferred
* Must be willing and able to work with bio-hazardous/toxic materials following OSHA guidelines.
* Excellent human relations skills.
* Excellent organizational skills.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Strong computer skills.
* Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

* Visual acuity and manual dexterity to perform clinical/technical tasks.
* Must be able to sit for extended periods (2-3 hours).
* Must be able to lift 10-20 lbs unassisted.
* Must be able to sit and operate a computer.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

* Must be able to function in a highly stressful environment.
* Responsible for problem solving situations.
* Able to make independent decisions

COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT/SKILLS CHECKLIST:

Behavioral

* Commitment to our Health First Values (I-CARE) Incorporates the Health First Values (I-CARE) of "What We Believe and How We Behave" into daily work and interactions with patients, customers and associates:
* Integrity
* Compassion
* Accountability
* Respect
* Excellence



Laboratory Professionalism

* Exhibits a positive attitude, is flexible in thinking and amenable to change.
* Leads by example, good role model and team player
* Works on a rotational basis to cover weekends, holidays, and other hours outside of normal shift when needed to provide adequate staffing of the laboratory.
* Takes on additional duties as assigned by Supervisor/Manager.
* When assigned work is completed, is willing to help others, possibly in different areas.
* Consistently punctual, follows proper protocols for absenteeism and plans time off in advance to ensure proper coverage for department.
* Establishes confidence in others by focusing on work in order to achieve accurate and consistent results.

Technical

* Assists in accumulating data for special projects or studies.
* May be required to perform/assist with test method verifications in order to determine the accuracy and precision of test methods being verified.
* Maintains in-depth knowledge of techniques, principles, and operates certain test instruments/test kits and understands physiological conditions affecting such test results.
* Troubleshoots and coordinates or performs equipment maintenance and repair activities as assigned.
* May be required to take call to support troubleshooting situations.

Quality Control

* Helps to maintain equipment as directed.
* Assist with periodic collection and review of quality control and maintenance logs to
* ensure compliance, as applicable.
* Performance Improvement
* Assists in special projects, experiments, or research as delegated by Supervisor or Manager.
* Recognizes problems, assumes responsibility for helping to solve problems as they occur. Recognizes when supervisory help is needed in problem solving. Helps to come up with a solution and assists in the implementation of the solution.
* Through own initiative, participates and contributes towards the improvement and goals of the department.
* Assists in writing policies and procedures, as applicable.

Regulatory Standards

* Must comply with departmental specific standard operating procedures and checklists as required for efficient operation of department.
* Is familiar with and abides by safety regulations and is aware of responsibility in the event of fire or disaster.
* Does not offer patient diagnosis.
* Maintains awareness of regulatory standards.

Education, Training and Competency

* Assures a necessary upgrading of technique and procedures within limits of quality laboratory medicine by learning new procedures and supporting their implementation.
* Maintains continuing education required for state licensure or technical certification.
* Instructs/trains other associates and students, if needed, in both theory and technique as
* delegated by Supervisor/Manager. Documents such training on appropriate forms.
* Complies with all department-specific training requirements.

Operational Effectiveness

* While at work, associate is required to open e-mail at least once per shift to ensure that communication from supervisor/manager or administration is maintained, and respond to in timely manner, if response is required.
* Demonstrates attention to detail, manual skills, and organizational ability.
* Demonstrates ability to effectively follow directions and ask questions as needed.
* Works efficiently and effectively under pressure and during emergencies.
* Possesses organizational skills and techniques to minimize turn-around-time.
* Maintains a clean and orderly work area. Cleans up after procedures have been completed, assures that biological wastes are properly disposed of and that all supplies have been restored to their proper storage location.
* May be required to order supplies.
* Assists in inventory control by logging, labeling, and putting away new supplies and communicates supply need to Supervisor/Manager.
* Utilizes appropriate supplies in an efficient manner to minimize waste and optimize resources.
* Restocks working areas with supplies as needed.

Clerical Skills

* Performs clerical duties as required.
* May be required to perform order entry or test cancellation when needed
* Orders supplies.
* Fills supplies for doctors' offices.
* Answers phone calls from doctors' offices.

Core lab duties may include:

* Rotating slides for storage and pulls slides for review.
* Files slides
* Keeps counts and records of all specimens and diagnoses.