Laboratory Assistant (Per Diem, Variable Shift)

Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley has been providing high-quality healthcare services since 1934. We are comprised of a 25-bed hospital, wide range of outpatient services, emergency department, rural health clinics and medical offices. Tehachapi is located just north of Southern California's highly populated areas, with a mountain locale known for its outdoor living. Residents enjoy the scenic beauty, extreme sports and wildlife. Tehachapi is a nice balance of a small-town community within an epicenter of shopping, retail, arts and culture.

Job Summary:

Collects blood specimens, as well as receives, handles and processes specimens for Laboratory testing. Receives, sorts and accessions specimens, assigning to appropriate pre-analytic and analytic workflow. Completes computerized tasks related to patient registration and/or test order entry, specimen collection, receiving and processing. Performs basic post-analytic tasks, including distributing reports, storing and/or retrieving specimens. Completes quality-related tasks such as documentation of work, maintaining a clean, stocked and safe work area, and monitoring pending work, as well as escalating priority work. Operates and/or uses basic pre-analytic lab equipment. Adheres to all local/state/federal regulations, codes, policies and procedures to ensure privacy and safety while delivering optimal patient care.

Job Requirements:

Education and Work Experience:

• High School Education/GED or equivalent: Required in CA; Preferred in OR and HI
• Associate’s/Technical Degree or equivalent combination of education/related experience: Preferred
• Experience in Phlebotomy in acute care environment: Preferred

Licenses/Certifications:

• Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPTI) license: Required in CA; Preferred in OR and HI

Facility Specific License/Certifications:

• Phlebotomy Tech (CPT) or Certified Phlebotomy Technician II (CPTII): Required

Department Specific License/Certifications:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from approved vendor per AH policy: Required

Essential Functions:

• Collects blood specimens for a variety of Laboratory tests using age-appropriate techniques; handles/transports Lab specimens and provides post-phlebotomy care to patients. Receives specimens for testing; assesses specimens upon receipt according to established criteria to determine acceptability and takes action according to protocol including escalating to licensed or certified personnel for direction. Handles and processes a variety of specimen types to prepare them for analysis; adheres to protocols to maintain specimen integrity at all times.
• Completes computerized tasks as appropriate for affiliate to ensure complete patient registration and/or test order entry into the lab information system, as well as generation of collection lists and/or labels. Prepares and/or packages specimens for transport to another Adventist Health or outside reference laboratory and may complete computer steps necessary for processing referred specimens.
• Maintains an adequate inventory of supplies in work area and/or on phlebotomy cart. Maintains required records by completing basic documentation of pre-analytic and post-analytic work, as well as quality-related tasks. Participates in managing the laboratory workflow by performing duties such as monitoring pending work, escalating priority work, locating specimens, and coordinating specimen recollections.
• Verbally communicates released/reported results. Routes, distributes and retransmits released/reported results. Stores and retrieves specimens.
• Receives incoming calls for the laboratory and assists the caller as appropriate or transfers these calls to the appropriate laboratory section or person. Communicates with customer to clarify ambiguous, unclear or duplicate test orders.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Organizational Requirements:

Adventist Health is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our associates and patients. Therefore, we require that all associates receive all required vaccinations as a condition of employment and annually thereafter, where applicable. Medical and religious exemptions may apply.

Adventist Health participates in E-Verify. Visit for more information about E-Verify. By choosing to apply, you acknowledge that you have accessed and read the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work notices and understand the contents therein.
Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit, integrated health system serving more than 100 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii with over 440 sites of care, including 27 acute care facilities. Founded on Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care, and hospice agencies in both rural and urban communities. Our compassionate and talented team of more than 38,000 includes employees, physicians, Medical Staff, and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope.