CLS Assistant, Variable Shift, Full Time

Job Title

Laboratory Assistant

Job Description

Located where miles of breathtaking ocean views meet dense coastal forests, Adventist Health Mendocino County has a rich history serving community members on the coast since 1971. We are comprised of a 25-bed critical access hospital and offer a range of services in Fort Bragg. The Mendocino Coast offers a small-town atmosphere and is known for its natural beauty, from the smallest to the tallest redwoods in the world, to glass bottom beaches and the only oceanfront botanical gardens in the United States. With whale watching, fishing, hiking trails and many more outdoor adventures readily available, this coastal region is a place to immerse yourself in its landscape and history.

Job Summary

Performs duties primarily in support of analyzing Laboratory quality control and patient specimens as well as quality assurance tasks. Operates, maintains and does basic troubleshooting of Laboratory analyzers that perform testing classified as "waived" and "moderate complexity". Collects blood specimens and interacts with patients of diverse ages, backgrounds, values, beliefs and behavior. Receives, handles and processes a variety of specimens for Laboratory testing. 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. Provides guidance to phlebotomists and lab assistants to promote optimal workflow and rapid problem resolution. Adheres to all local/state/federal regulations, codes, policies and procedures to ensure privacy and safety while delivering optimal patient care. This position is represented by UFCW.

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
• Two years' relevant clinical laboratory experience: Preferred

Licenses/Certifications:

• Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) license: Preferred

Essential Functions

• Loads quality control and patient specimens onto analyzers for testing; follows procedures to ensure the appropriate functioning of the analyzer to ensure testing accuracy and precision. Completes analyzer start-up sequence and function checks according to standard protocol. Prepares reagents and maintains analyzer on-board reagent stock. Collects blood specimens for a variety of Laboratory tests using age-appropriate techniques; handles/transports Lab specimens and provides post-phlebotomy care to patients. 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.
• Receives specimens for testing; assesses specimens upon receipt according to established criteria to determine acceptability; 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.
• 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, such as compiling tracking lists. Verbally communicates released/reported results. Routes, distributes and retransmits released/reported results. Stores and retrieves specimens. Operates and/or uses basic pre-analytic lab equipment and waived/moderate complexity analytic lab equipment; escalates according to protocol when equipment is malfunctioning.
• Performs preventive maintenance and minor troubleshooting for Laboratory analyzers. Monitors temperatures and other indicators of environmental and equipment functionality. Maintains an adequate inventory of supplies in work area and/or on phlebotomy cart Participates in managing the laboratory workflow by performing duties such as monitoring pending work, escalating priority work, locating specimens, and coordinating specimen recollections. Maintains required records by completing basic documentation of pre-, post- and analytic work, as well as quality-related tasks.
• Provides guidance to Lab Assistants to promote optimal workflow and rapid problem resolution. 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 Answers patients' questions within scope of job; appropriately escalates questions that can't be answered.
• 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.