Lab Assistant

Position Summary

Under direction and supervision of the Laboratory Support Services supervisor, collects specimens using appropriate techniques and acts to maintain specimen integrity. Represents the hospital via personable interaction with staff, patients and their friends/relatives. Develops and maintains adequate inventory control for specimen collection and processing section optimal functioning. Performs clerical duties required in the record keeping process of the laboratory including data entry and retrieval from the laboratory and hospital computer information systems, printing and delivery of patient charts, handling of telephone requests and inquiries for results, patient reception and communication. Demonstrates good interpersonal skills, listens well and maintains two-way communication with the health care team.

Key Responsibilities

• Obtains blood specimens from patients of all ages by venipuncture, finger stick, and/ or heel stick according to laboratory policy with minimum pain or discomfort.
• Follows "National Patient Safety Goals" which include: using two identifiers (full name, date of birth, medical record number, etc.) to correctly identify patients before drawing blood samples, hand hygiene guidelines, read-back when communicating with staff, and communicates with patients in a professional manner at all times.
• Greets patients in a courteous manner, responds to patients with empathy and positive interpersonal skills.
• Follows "order of draw" to collect proper specimens for specific tests and labels according to policy.
• Able to collect and process specimens according to test priority (STAT, timed, routine).
• Rarely misses draw, if it is a difficult patient, refers to another phlebotomist after missing twice.
• Evaluates samples for integrity and prepares components of specimens for analysis according to specification related to the type of specimen or analysis to be performed.
• Distributes specimens to appropriate departments for analysis.
• Accurate in specimen processing, logging, and data entry at all times.
• Adheres to blood culture collection policy and maintains a low contamination rate.
• Properly instructs outpatients of all ages the proper procedure to collect urine samples.
• Correctly processes all lab requisitions, forms, and specimens for routine and reference tests.
• Maintains working knowledge of hospital's information system and lab computer for specimen logging, labels disposition, written results production, and distribution to hospital units and physician's offices.
• Consistently completes duties neatly, accurately, and in a timely manner.
• Performs all procedures in a professional manner.
• Enforces and follows all laboratory safety rules and reports any possible hazard to the supervisor.
• Shares appropriate communication with other laboratory personnel involving difficult venipuncture, timed draws, etc.
• Maintain records for send-out specimens to referral laboratories and prepares specimens according to reference lab instructions.
• Monitors returning reports from referral labs daily.
• Accurately performs daily log and resolves pending list.
• Accurate in specimen logging and writing reports.
• Alphabetizes and files reports daily.
• Delivers reports upon completion of work during downtime.
• Keeps phlebotomy areas neat, clean, and well stocked with supplies.
• Keeps phlebotomy carts and trays clean and well stocked with supplies.
• Ensures inventory is adequate and submits orders per delegation by the supervisor.
• Unpacks and stocks supplies, documents date received with initials and date.
• Assists other laboratory personnel as workload permits.
• Responds to changes in work schedules as necessary or as requested.
• Accepts responsibility for and becomes available to work different work shift when workload and/ or other conditions warrant.
• Continuously works on establishing good rapport and cooperative working relationship with all co-workers.
• Shows ability to handle unexpected situations and is able to exercise independent thought and actions when necessary.
• Assists in training of new staff members as requested.
• Reports to work as scheduled.
• Always wears hospital identification badge and adheres to the hospital and department dress codes.
• Answers telephones and makes calls. Verifies ambiguous laboratory orders before entering order into the hospital information system or collecting specimen.
• Picks up and delivers specimens or supplies to offices outside of the hospital.
• Able to draw at locations outside of the main Hospital (clinics, Skilled Nursing Facilities, etc.)
• Performs tasks as assigned by the Laboratory Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Current California Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) Certificate required.
• 6 months experience in an acute care setting preferred.

Job Type: Full-time, Variable Shift

Pay: $33-$45/hour

All job offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, physical exam, drug test, and verification of education qualifications and credentials.


San Benito Health Care District is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination and harassment against employees, applicants for employment, individuals providing services in the workplace pursuant to a contract, and volunteers based on their actual or perceived: race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and expression), age (40 and over), sexual orientation, status, military and veteran status and any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law (sometimes referred to, collectively, as "protected characteristics").