Laboratory Technical Assistant Lead

You'll want to join Billings Clinic for our outstanding quality of care, exciting environment, interesting cases from a vast geography, advanced technology and educational opportunities. We are in the top 1% of hospitals internationally for receiving Magnet® Recognition consecutively since 2006.

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About Us
Billings Clinic is a community-owned, not-for-profit, Physician-led health system based in Billings with more than 4,700 employees, including over 550 physicians and non-physician providers. Our integrated organization consists of a multi-specialty group practice and a 304-bed hospital. Learn more about Billings Clinic (our organization, history, mission, leadership and regional locations) and how we are recognized nationally for our exceptional quality.

Your Benefits
We provide a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to all full-time employees (minimum of 24 hours/week), including Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer matching, Defined Contribution Pension Plan, Paid Time Off, employee wellness program, and much more. Click here for more information or download the Employee Benefits Guide .

Magnet: Commitment to Nursing Excellence
Billings Clinic is proud to be recognized for nursing excellence as a Magnet®-designated organization, joining only 97 other organizations worldwide that have achieved this honor four times. The re-designation process happens every four years. Click here to learn more!

Pre-Employment Requirements
All new employees must complete several pre-employment requirements prior to starting. Click here to learn more!

Laboratory Technical Assistant Lead



Billings Clinic (BILLINGS CLINIC HOSPITAL)



req12575

Shift: Day, Evening
Employment Status: Full-Time (.75 or greater)



Hours per Pay Period: 1.00 = 80 hours every two weeks (Non-Exempt)



Starting Wage DOE

Under general supervision, the incumbent in this position will work in one or more of the primary areas within the Laboratory Department to include Processing, Cytology, Histology, Microbiology, Blood Bank, Hematology, Chemistry and/or Inventory Control. Responsible to assist Laboratory Staff in accordance with established procedures for specimen receipt and testing. Performs laboratory duties as instructed by Laboratory Leadership. ## Additional characteristics for the Lead Role: Acts as a lead for an assigned area of department, including assisting with the day to day operations of the department, responsible for quality control and regulatory readiness of department.

Essential Job Functions

GENERAL
*Supports and models behaviors consistent with Billings Clinic's mission, vision, values, code of business conduct and service expectations. Meets all mandatory organizational and departmental requirements. Maintains competency in all organizational, departmental and outside agency standards as it relates to the environment, employee, patient safety or job performance.
Laboratory Technical Assistant - Level I Responsibilities
*Processes and accessions samples according to established policies and procedures.
*Assists with inventory management including stocking, ordering and monitoring to ensure adequate supplies to meet business needs within the assigned section of the laboratory (Cytology, Histology, Processing, Sendouts, Hematology, Microbiology, Blood Bank, etc.)
*Performs waived laboratory testing and specimen processing within scope of practice.
*Provides administrative/clerical support for the departments including maintaining accurate record systems, requisitions, quality control data, patient results, and workflow documentation. Understands and demonstrates appropriate communication of Private Health Information.
*Assist pathologists and physicians, including collecting and transporting specimens, preparation of bone marrow specimens and/or fine needle aspiration/fine needle biopsies, preparing slides, maintaining integrity of specimens, and disposal of specimens according to procedure.
*Answers multi-line telephones and responds to the majority of all incoming calls before transferring to alternate resources. Responds to questions from patients, physicians and other reference labs and provides routine information, collection and testing procedures, specimen processing, turn around times, result reporting and reference lab availability. Also responds to non-routine questions regarding what steps need to be taken to rectify a situation when the integrity of a sample/specimen has been compromised.
*Facilitates result reporting. Results may be called to physician's office, faxed or mailed depending on orders and situation.
*Monitors all label printers and fax machines for incoming orders. Responsible for ensuring printers and faxes are maintained in good working order due to the critical nature of information being received. Acts as a resource in resolving printer and fax related function problems, maintenance and form loading.
*Responsible for checking and verifying the integrity/quality of the specimens to ensure appropriate specimen volumes, packaging, etc. Assumes responsibility for initiating follow-up action necessary to prevent and/or resolve problem scenarios and coordinates as appropriate with other departments, management, etc.
*Coordinates specimen mail-outs to reference laboratories. Duties include decisions regarding how to draw sample/specimen, timing of draw, appropriate preparation of the sample/specimen, timing of mailing, selecting appropriate reference lab for processing as outlined in laboratory policies and procedures and tracking and planning the appropriate transportation mode.
*Maintains inventory management including order entry in Lawson, stocking and monitoring to ensure adequate supplies to meet the business needs for all areas within the Laboratory department and reference laboratory. Uses the correct cost center and General Ledger numbers.
*Dispatches and monitors the phlebotomy staff to maintain efficient response and turnaround times on hospital specimen orders.
*Receives specimens from the laboratory runners, phlebotomy staff, pneumatic tube system and external clients. Utilizes judgment to determine if sample/specimen is appropriate for testing according to established guidelines or if a redraw will be necessary. Initiates specimen preparation and processing. *Utilizes appropriate equipment (i.e. track system, centrifuge), prepares spin-offs, aliquots, cassettes, blocks and slides and distributes to the appropriate area of the laboratory for final processing. Monitors printers for STAT orders from the nursing units.
*Responsible for set-up, basic maintenance and records of work stations; filling staining stations, imagers, cleaning work areas, emptying garbage, cleaning of track, checking temperatures of refrigerators and freezers, cleaning of centrifuges, monitoring courier contact points, creating cassettes, changing fluids and paraffin, etc.
Lab Technical Assistant-Level II Additional Laboratory Responsibilities
*Assists with orientation and training of Level I staff and Technologists/Technicians within scope of practice. Acts as a resource to Level I or other ancillary staff responding to procedural questions and assisting with problem resolution within scope of practice. Acts as a resource to Level I staff and Technologists/Technicians regarding appropriate specimen handling and processing for mail outs, processing, receiving, order entry, and the handling of reference specimens
*Participates in the daily scheduling of Laboratory Technical Assistants including all shifts, weekends and holidays. Assists in finding coverage for staff shortages.
*Participates in and assists with additional levels of responsibilities for special projects and/or delegated tasks. Participates in personnel development programs such as PSE, Operational Excellence, and Safety Committee. Actively participates in interview of candidates.
*Utilizes appropriate CIS applications to complete daily tasks in the department to include all applications within PathNet, Powerchart, and Revenue Cycle. Uses MS4, Misys and other legacy systems as needed. Demonstrates competence in MayoAccess and LifePoint as well as other Laboratory *Interface/Portal programs (i.e. Harvest, GenOptix eCompass, etc.) Uses pendings/worklists effectively to support patient care.
*Review and documents daily/weekly maintenance (BB cleaning, Pipette, Processors, Stainers, etc.) Generates monthly statistics as necessary for Laboratory Section.
Laboratory Technical Assistant III Duties
*Act as a resource to the Level I and II Laboratory Technical Assistants or other ancillary staff with regards to scheduling and special projects. Responds to procedural questions and assists with problem solving.
*Assists with orientation and training of Level I and II staff within scope of practice
Responsible for the distribution, tracking, and collection of the annual laboratory technical assistant competency exams. Coordinates any outstanding issues or problems with the Lead or Supervisor.
*Participates in monthly meetings with Leads and Supervisors (as applicable) to identify and resolve any issues or concerns, including safety concerns for staff and guests that may arise.
*Demonstrates use of Lawson reports to maintain accurate inventory records and resolve issues. *Research and educates others on appropriate cost centers and General Ledger numbers for budgets as needed for Leadership.
*Works independent of direct supervision and uses sound judgment during established policies and procedures. Will compile and maintain departmental statistics.
Lead Duties (Standard Lead Duties)
*Acts as lead for assigned department. Assists in the management of the day to day operations of department. Responsible for orientation of new staff and ongoing training/education for staff. *Responsible for maintaining daily staffing in area. Participates in and provides input into interviewing, hiring, performance appraisals and disciplinary procedures. Leads staff meetings.
*Responsible for coordinating regular maintenance activities and supply inventory. Participates in the evaluation of supplies, including quality and costs.
*Provides technical expertise and support. Acts as a resource for technical issues. Coordinates with leadership on new technology implementations.
*Responsible for ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and ongoing regulatory readiness of department and staff. Evaluates and maintains records of quality control procedures. Responsible for writing and updating policies and procedures designed to meet regulatory standards.

Minimum Qualifications
Education
*High School or GED
*Advanced education in areas of science, chemistry and mathematics normally acquired through college level courses preferred

*Prior laboratory or health care experience preferred
*Or an equivalent combination of education and experience relating to the above, tasks, knowledge, skills or abilities will be considered

Billings Clinic is Montana's largest health system serving Montana, Wyoming and the western Dakotas. A not-for-profit organization led by a physician CEO, the health system is governed by a board of community members, nurses and physicians. Billings Clinic includes an integrated multi-specialty group practice, tertiary care hospital and trauma center, based in Billings, Montana. Learn more at

Billings Clinic is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity. All policies and processes are designed toward achieving fair and equitable treatment of all employees and job applicants. Employees are encouraged to discuss any concerns they have in this regard with their immediate supervisor and/or the Vice President People Resources. All employees and job applicants will be provided the same treatment in all aspects of the employment relationship, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, genetic information or disability.