Clinical Lab Assistant

At ScionHealth, we empower our caregivers to do what they do best. We value every voice by caring deeply for every patient and each other. We show courage by running toward the challenge and we lean into new ideas by embracing curiosity and question asking. Together, we create our culture by living our values in our day-to-day interactions with our patients and teammates.

Job Summary

Clinical Laboratory Assistants (CLAs) perform duties in the laboratory that are above the complexity level of a phlebotomist, but not yet to the level of a medical laboratory technician. They are to collect specimens, do specimen processing, perform limited waived laboratory testing, assist technicians and technologists with maintenance and reagent preparation, plate samples for microbiology, and perform preparation of specimens for testing from alternative laboratory sources. 

Essential Functions

Verifies test requisitions by comparing information with nursing station log, bringing discrepancies to the attention of unit personnel. 

• Verifies patient by reading patient identification. Obtains blood specimens by performing venipunctures and fingersticks. 
• Maintains specimen integrity by using aseptic technique, following department procedures, observing isolation procedures. 
• Collects therapeutic drug-monitoring assays by collaborating with nursing personnel to ensure appropriate drug dose to collection time. 
• Tracks collected specimens by initialing, dating, and noting times of collection; maintaining daily tallies of collections performed. 
• Maintains quality results by following department procedures and testing schedule; recording results in the quality-control log; identifying and reporting needed changes. 
• Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations. 
• Resolves unusual test orders by contacting the physician, pathologist, nursing station, or laboratory testing personnel; referring unresolved orders back to the originator for further clarification; notifying supervisor of unresolved orders. 
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations. 
• Serves and protects the hospital community by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and TJC standards. 
• Enhances phlebotomy department and hospital reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments. 
• Assists with laboratory clerical work. Answers phones, receives specimens and performs preanalytical preparation for samples including send-outs 
• Coordinates and actively enhances laboratory workflow by loading instruments, setting up plates, and performing waived testing per laboratory procedures. Performs pending log resolution. Calls critical values to actionable care providers 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Analyzing Information 
• Infection Control 
• Bedside Manner 
• Attention to Detail 
• Lab Environment, Procedural Skills 
• Quality Focus 
• Hospital Environment, Creating a Safe, Effective Environment 
• Performing Diagnostic Procedures 
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0% 
• Must read, write and speak fluent English. 
• Must have good and regular attendance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

• Minimum of a High School diploma or Equivalent 

Licenses/Certification

• Medical Lab Assistant certification preferred but not required. 
• State license/registration as required by state. Current BLS preferred. 

Experience

• 1-3 years clinical laboratory experience.