Clinical Laboratory Assistant - Waukesha Memorial - 0.9 FTE, Days

The Clinical Laboratory Assistant is responsible for accurate and efficient receipt, processing, and distribution of laboratory specimens from inpatients, outpatients, and outside clients.  Maintains proficiency of the laboratory and hospital information systems.  Performs and results waived testing.  Acts as a liaison between the laboratory and nurses or other healthcare providers.  Must have the ability to work at various PHC Lab locations as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Performs all functions in the Specimen Processing Department to ensure accurate and timely receipt and prompt distribution of specimens in the appropriate departments following established policies and procedures.
• Accurately and completely labels specimens according to established laboratory policies and procedures.
• Plans and organizes workflow relative to specimen priorities, responding to Stat specimen requests in a timely manner and flagging these specimens for prompt attention by the technical laboratory team to meet clinical needs and assure customer satisfaction.
• Assists with loading specimens on analyzers in various departments.
• Assists with Microbiology culture set-up.
• Performs and results waived laboratory testing procedures in various departments.
• Demonstrates understanding and effective use of the laboratory and hospital information systems for inquiry, order entry, test cancellation, documentation, and collection in support of laboratory services.  
• Responds to inquiries for test results, turn around time, normal ranges, specimen requirements, collection instructions, and methodology.
• Maintains accessibility of reference material related to specimen requirements for tests performed by reference laboratories.
• Answers telephones promptly.  Maintains a consistently pleasant telephone demeanor when responding to all customer calls, questions, or inquiries.  Utilizes tact and discretion in client interactions.
• Interacts with other hospital departments and nursing units to address patient specimen concerns timely.  Takes appropriate action to communicate insufficient or unacceptable specimens with customers.
• Serves as a resource to laboratory and nursing personnel, providing technical expertise in problem-solving activities related to collection and processing activities.
• Maintains specimen processing supply inventory as needed, monitoring expiration dates and ordering, if required
• Cleans and sanitizes equipment and processing areas.  Monitors bio-hazard containers and discards sealed containers in the appropriate location.

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 1 year of laboratory experience preferred