Medical Laboratory Assistant II - Microbiology

Medical Laboratory Assistant II

The Medical Laboratory Assistant II has responsibility for the processing, organizing, labeling, and transporting of specimens for laboratory testing. As an experienced and fully competent laboratory assistant, performs advanced functions such as phlebotomy and/or section-specific specialty tasks and serves as a role model and preceptor for other staff. Duties include the input and extraction of data from the Laboratory Information System as well as clerical tasks such as answering phones and filing documents.

Duties include:

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
• Serves as a preceptor to less experienced and/or new staff and students by utilizing skills and knowledge to help train and educate others.
• Prepares specimens for courier pick up and delivery to referral lab as necessary. Communicates with other laboratory personnel when specimens need to be transported to other areas.
• Performs various Laboratory Information System functions. Files requisitions, reports and other pathology materials appropriately. Answers the telephone and refers requests for the delivery of results to physician offices appropriately.
• Independently handles resolution of complex problems and issues and notifies management of issue and resolution. Serves as escalation support for less experienced staff.
• Organizes workload, sets priorities, and troubleshoots workflow issues. Utilizes all available work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks.
• Receives, triages, orders, labels and transports specimens for laboratory testing. Processes specimens, aliquots, and/or slides/blocks according to procedure for samples tested in the laboratory as well as samples forwarded to referral laboratories. Handles STAT samples expeditiously. Assists pathologist and/or other laboratory personnel with specimen grossing as needed.
• Recognizes problems (such as mislabels, incorrect tube type, etc.), identifies causes, and takes corrective action to solve basic problems.
• Operates automated instrumentation as applicable at entity following all safety measures. Performs and documents any processing equipment maintenance.
• Performs one or more of the following advanced functions: Pre-Analytic: In an outpatient and inpatient setting, performs phlebotomy and other specialized specimen collection procedures for patients; maintains competency of techniques and principles required to perform quality phlebotomy services Specialty Areas (i.e., Anatomical Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular, etc.): Performs advanced functions such as assisting with frozen sections, special stain procedures, cytology processing, fine needle aspirations (FNAs), and other section specific specialty tasks as per section scope.
• Maintains a safe environment within the Laboratory, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous materials, security and emergency preparedness.
• Adjusts work schedule to accommodate departmental/organizational needs. Appropriately utilizes the time recording system.
• Uses department resources/equipment/supplies properly and efficiently.
• Guides and mentors section employees and students to help build confidence in skills, knowledge and abilities.
• Participates in departmental projects activities, and seeks continuing education opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
• Minimum of 3 years of related experience required
• Relevant certification (e.g., phlebotomy, medical laboratory assistant) preferred

Supplemental Requirements:

• Work Attire: Uniform, scrubs, business professional, other (department approved)
• On-Call: On Call*
• Travel: May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area, may require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area