Clinical Lab Assistant

Do you want to join an organization that invests in you as a(an) Clinical Lab Assistant? At Catholic Medical Center, you come first. HCA Healthcare has committed up to $300 million in programs to support our incredible team members over the course of three years.


Job Summary and Qualifications

Performs a variety of clinical support duties involved with the phlebotomy collection, accessioning, identification, and processing of clinical specimens and the performance, reporting and documentation of waived and/or Point of Care Testing in the clinical laboratory areas, to include microbiology, serology, chemistry, hematology, urinalysis. Plays an integral role in preparation of specimens sent to Reference Laboratories. Ensures patients are provided with necessary information and is comfortable and safe, displaying excellent interpersonal skills with all patients.

- Perform phlebotomy and specimen processing.
- Perform waived and/or Point of Care Testing.
- Refer specimens to outside laboratories.
- Maintain equipment and supplies.
- Provide excellent patient service.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the Hospital and Laboratory Information System (LIS) and its application to perform a variety of clerical duties accurately including entering patient requisitions, ordering, collecting and receiving specimens, printing reports, and documentation of telephoned results. Monitor unreceived specimen collection lists and institute appropriate follow-up.
- Perform, report, and document waived and/or Point of Care Testing and quality control results accurately as outlined in the technical lab section manuals, and maintain annual competency documentation, as needed.
- Process and plant microbiology specimens according to the policies and procedures in the Microbiology Procedure Manual, and discuss/refer any questions to technologist or supervisor as necessary.
- Load specimens onto automated instruments in technical laboratory sections.
- Maintain proficiency and accuracy in the registration system, entering/editing patient data, receiving specimens, and performing downtime procedures, as needed.
- Perform a variety of clerical duties related to the registration of patients requiring lab testing to include entry and/or revision of patient registration with complete and updated information; i.e. demographics, Medicare status, primary and secondary insurance, insurance eligibility verification, obtaining Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) information, ABN, and retirement dates. Provide every patient with Privacy Notice. As needed.
- Assist the Specimen Processing Supervisor with developing and maintaining a comprehensive training protocol for new hires and annual assessment in the area of Specimen Receiving.
- Refer specimens to outside laboratories for testing as assigned, including the choice of appropriate laboratory, specimen type, integrity, transport and result reporting. Pull and review pending reports to ensure that tests are reported in the expected time frame. Communicate unscheduled delays in reporting to the clients. Track all referred tests consistently by date and destination, using a manual log, shipping manifest and delivery service shipping requests. File all Reference Lab manifests as appropriate. Research test requirements for miscellaneous Reference Lab orders. Aliquot as appropriate.
- Maintain a working knowledge of referral laboratory equipment, to include troubleshooting printers and fax. Maintain a working knowledge of reference laboratory information systems to support sending and viewing orders, printing specimens' barcodes and manifests, and printing results. Refer any problems and/or software glitches to Referral Specialist and/or Supervisor.
- Utilizing automation or manual processes, prepare, centrifuge, and aliquot laboratory specimens accurately for delivery to laboratory sections and to reference laboratories with accompanying paperwork, in accordance with procedures in Laboratory Specimen Processing Manual and Send-Out Manual. Preserve specimen integrity and maintain specimen identification accurately. Ensure priority delivery of STAT specimens to the laboratory sections. Prepare and maintain records and reports on specimen procurement.
- Receive and process physician orders via laboratory requisitions or Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) for routine, timed, emergency blood tests and studies. Promptly respond to all calls, pages and other requests for services, facilitating timely collection of specimens / performance of phlebotomy procedures on all appropriate floors including Emergency Department and off-site locations as required and provide backup to nursing units as needed. Obtain assistance from appropriate laboratory personnel regarding procedures.
- Receive specimens delivered to laboratory, performing quality assurance (QA) checks to ensure patient safety; QA checks to include identification checks, labeling review for 2 patient identifiers (i.e. Name, Date of Birth, Medical Record number), review of ordered tests. Reconcile Tracking Logs from off-site collection locations.
- Operate equipment and automation in the processing of specimens, exercising care. Perform routine cleaning and preventative maintenance to ensure continued functioning of equipment. Troubleshoot equipment problems, make repairs, and discuss/refer to supervisor as necessary. Keep related records. Maintain work areas in a clean, safe and organized manner
- Respond to Add-On requests, using Add-On order slip, order, locate sample and deliver to the appropriate laboratory section for testing. On Emergency Department (ED) Add-On Requests, research to see what order to put the Add-On request onto, order, locate sample, and deliver to appropriate lab section.
- Archive and retrieve specimens as necessary.
- Participate in problem solving and troubleshooting related to patient, client, and specimen information, as well as procedures and equipment. Collect venous and capillary blood samples for Transfusion Service, Hematology, Chemistry, and Microbiology, from inpatients and outpatients of the patient population served by the hospital upon request or as assigned, performing accurate patient identification, requisition verification, specimen labeling, specimen handling and disposal of contaminated waste and sharps. Greet and acknowledge the patient, identify self and what you will be doing.
- Handle specimens according to proper procedure involving test requirements, special handling of requisition and specimens, and timed tests.
- Verify correct specimen identification and specimen requirements against test requests and serve as resource to clarify specimen sources and accuracy.
- Highlights test requests and other information on the requisitions to ensure correct and complete data entry.
- Recognize discrepancies or problems and notifies appropriate staff members and/or physicians as appropriate. Document problems regarding patient or client information and forwards to the appropriate section. Inform the supervisor of significant problems.
- Respond to the computerized transport system (CTS or pneumatic tube) when carriers arrive into the laboratory, unloading specimens from carriers and facilitating the processing of these specimens in a timely manner; return all carriers via CTS to sending stations.
- Perform phlebotomy for legal alcohol draws and testify in court as required.
- Maintain phlebotomy tray/cart, supplies, equipment and work area in a clean and orderly manner. Ensure appropriate inventory level to perform duties.
- Display courtesy and professionalism at all times while providing timely, helpful service to all patients, clients, visitors, physicians, and hospital personnel. Maintain a professional decorum within the work environment under all types of circumstances, demonstrating ability to remain calm in tense and/or emergency situations.
- Participate as a team member, effectively adapting to change or unusual circumstances.
- Meet productivity standards, completing all tasks and assigned work by end of shift.
- Ensure patient / client information as confidential at all times.
- Assist supervisor in reviewing and updating Specimen Processing Policies and Procedures.
- Respond efficiently / accurately to client inquiries on specimen requirements, turnaround times and/or specimen handling/transport guidelines, seeking assistance as needed.
- Initiate completion of Laboratory Quality Management (QM) Forms when deviations to procedure for quality specimens occur, i.e. improper labeling, unlabeled specimens, misidentifications, specimen integrity issues, incorrect specimen types, etc. Assist with other routine documentation required for quality assurance activities within Specimen Processing, to include recording temperatures, eyewash checks, etc.
- Participate in the orientation and training of new employees.
- Respond to all telephone calls efficiently, transferring calls and recording pertinent information as required, meeting the caller's service needs.
- Assist with client service functions and courier dispatch.
- Ensure sufficient supplies at each workstation or storage area for use by the following shift. Review quantities and expiration dates of all supplies. Unpack received stock and place in inventory or supply areas as appropriate. Prepare blood culture paired sets. Pour formalin into specimen containers using established procedure to ensure safety.
- Maintain professional growth and development through attendance at continuing education sessions within the laboratory, and outside laboratory as appropriate, documenting participation.

Education & Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED Required

• < 1 year experience in laboratory clinical support Preferred

Benefits


Catholic Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

• Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
• Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
• Savings and retirement resources , including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
• Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
• Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Learn more about Employee Benefits


Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

Shape the future of healthcare at Catholic Medical Center

Located in Manchester, NH, Catholic Medical Center is a 330-bed acute care hospital and Level III Trauma Center serving southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Home to the nationally recognized New England Heart & Vascular Institute and The Mom's Place-an innovative birthing center that pioneered couplet care-we're proud to lead in both advanced medicine and compassionate service.

As part of HCA Healthcare's statewide network of Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester hospitals, three freestanding ERs, and over 70 care sites, you'll join nearly 5,000 colleagues across New Hampshire who are committed to excellence, collaboration, and making a difference every day. At Catholic Medical Center, your work has purpose-and your potential has no limits.

HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.

"Good people beget good people."- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.
HCA Healthcare Co-Founder
We are a family 270,000 dedicated professionals! Our Talent Acquisition team is reviewing applications for our Clinical Lab Assistant opening. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. Submit your resume today to join our community of caring!

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.