Specimen Processing - Microbiology

Duke University Health System Clinical Laboratories

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Pursue your passion for caring and innovation as a team member in the state-of-the-art Duke Health laboratories. Duke Health laboratories are College of American Pathologists accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments certified. The multidisciplinary team is committed to serving the rare and complex testing needs of Duke Health patients by providing timely and accurate results, educating the next generation of laboratorians, scientists and physicians, and researching and developing the cutting-edge diagnostics of tomorrow.

Location: Duke University Hospital

Work Week: Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm

General Description

Perform a variety of the technical procedures involved in the procurement, processing, and evaluation of patient specimens for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease; teach and perform routine clerical and technical procedures including specimen collection, and responsible for the delivery of supplies and procurement of specimens from physicians' offices, clinical specimen preparation and processing for analysis and dispatch, patient registration and order entry; and serve as hospital laboratory representative and liaison with outside clients.

Job Duties

1. Perform a variety of routine and specialized procedures.
2. Prepare and initiate special tests and procedures including, but not limited to, cytogenetics, general laboratory, Point-of-Care Testing, urinalysis without a microscope, phlebotomy, and specimen management.
3. Obtain total volume, perform aliquot, and distribute all urine specimens.
4. Properly determine urine volume. Properly label aliquot containers.
5. Communicate in a professional and courteous manner with patients, family, and other medical personnel as necessary for problem recognition and initiation of the resolution and, if necessary, escalation to the next level. Obtain information for laboratory records, explain procedures, allay fears, and elicit cooperation.
6. Utilize standard equipment to maintain positive patient identification through the maintenance of all clinical laboratory records, register/accession patients/specimens and perform order entry as required.
7. Perform various quality control, safety, and infection control procedures to maintain compliance with internal and external regulations.
8. Receive and process specimens as required by respective laboratory area procedures and protocols.
9. Receive specimens in the laboratory using Beaker.
10. Positively ID all patient specimens, and verify all laboratory labels/requisitions, ensuring a valid order. Properly sort all specimens.
11. Participate in the distribution of specimens, supplies, and reports to the appropriate laboratory staff; perform messenger/courier activities as required.
12. Maintain inventory of supplies; stock supplies on carts and hand trays; wash glassware.
13. Utilize various hospital information systems and software.
14. Assist with the maintenance of specimens and/or slides.
15. Perform routine maintenance as required by laboratory procedures.
16. Assist with word processing, miscellaneous office tasks, and maintaining office records.
17. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education: High School diploma or GED. For assignment to phlebotomy, completion of a structured phlebotomy training course and clinical rotation are recommended.

Experience: Clinical Technician I Alternatively, an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience. One year of previous clinical lab experience is preferred.

Clinical Technician II Alternatively, an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification: Clinical Technician I For assignment to Phlebotomy Services, certification as a Phlebotomist by a nationally recognized agency/board is recommended.

Clinical Technician II For assignment to Phlebotomy Services, certification as a Phlebotomist by a nationally recognized board/agency may be required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Basic phlebotomy and specimen processing techniques. Knowledge of medical terms preferred. Basic computer skills. Effective communication skills. Effective professional communication skills to interact with patients/customers.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideasan exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of our community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard.