Lab Assistant Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

• DEPARTMENT: 17026 - Blood Bank
• LOCATION: 350 7th Street North, Naples, FL, 34102
• WORK TYPE: Full Time
• WORK SCHEDULE: 8 Hour Day

ABOUT NCH
NCH is an independent, locally governed non-profit delivering premier comprehensive care. Our healthcare system is comprised of two hospitals, an alliance of 700+ physicians, and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida that offer nationally recognized, quality health care.
NCH is transforming into an Advanced Community Healthcare System(TM) and we're proud to: Provide higher acuity care and Centers of Excellence; Offer Graduate Medical Education and fellowships; Have endowed chairs; Conduct research and participate in national clinical trials; and partner with other health market leaders, like Hospital for Special Surgery, Encompass, and ProScan.
Join our mission to help everyone live a longer, happier, healthier life. We are committed to care and believe there's always more at NCH - for you and every person we serve together. Visit nchjobs.org to learn more.
JOB SUMMARY
The Lab Assistant receives and processes all incoming specimens to prepare them for technical assay, ensures the specimens are handled safely to reduce cross contamination, pour-off errors, mislabeling, and missed tests. The Lab Assistant is responsible for ensuring that specimens are stored under proper conditions for optimal results. The Lab Assistant delivers prepared specimens to appropriate areas in a timely manner. The Lab Assistant is responsible for the skillful procurement of blood samples for all age groups, using knowledge of blood collection devices, order of draw, techniques, age specific needs and human anatomy. The Lab Assistant also performs the pre-analytical duties associated with accessioning incoming specimens into the lab computer system and evaluating specimen identification and integrity. The Lab Assistant answers incoming phone calls to the lab, providing information on specimen collection, preservation, test orders and status to other hospital staff members.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Other duties may be assigned.
• Demonstrates skillful, courteous competency in procedures for blood sample collection, selecting the best equipment and site for the tests requested. Serves as an expert venipuncture resource for difficult sticks which can't be drawn by nursing staff.
• Evaluates specimen integrity for samples collected by lab staff, nursing, or medical staff, knowing whether a specimen is acceptable for the test requested. Understands process and reasons for specimen rejection, demonstrating good customer service skills and confidence when advising patients, nurses and medical staff of news they do not want to hear.
• Along with other lab assistants, answers 100% of phone calls coming into the laboratory, able to respond to over 50% of the requests personally. Communicates with patients, guests, medical staff, and other hospital staff in a courteous, professional and skillful manner, Uses phone system and other communication tools to transfer calls, take messages, and locate the proper person to take care of any problem which the individual can't provide himself.
• Responds to inquiries from medical staff and nurses, providing accurate information and instructions regarding proper specimen collection, containers, quantities, stability and specimen preservation for blood, urine, body fluid and other biological specimens for general laboratory, microbiology and pathology samples. Uses resources to investigate special requests, determining the specific test code and specimen requirements for orders written in non-standard format. Provides assistance to hospital employees regarding test orders, test synonyms, profile components and computer ordering processes utilized by nursing, unit secretaries and physicians. Resolves 'Unlisted Labs' with a high degree of accuracy.
• Knows the correct procedures for handling samples to maintain integrity, being aware of limitations of various specimen types, test requirements, containers and storage conditions. Is able to demonstrate how safety separate blood cells from plasma and knows when it is required and when it can destroy the specimen. Handles specimens safely to maintain sterility and reduce cross contamination, our-off errors, and exposures.
• Proficiently uses multiple computer systems and reference resources including, Pathnet, Quest360, using accurate keyboarding and computer skills. Carefully performs duties, ensuring that specimens receive the proper testing required without being lost or compromised; Utilizes Powerchart to view orders, place orders, and investigate the status of samples. Performs patient registration and test selection/order entry with a high degree of speed and accuracy utilizing many different requisitions, clients, and internal or reference lab computer systems.
• Manages blood collection requests to ensure that all collections are completed systematically, efficiently and within time constraints, consolidating requests from multiple physicians to avoid multiple venipunctures of patients. Completes collections on schedule to enhance physician and nursing satisfaction as well as patient care.
• Can accurately describe and demonstrate all methods of procurement of blood samples from hospital patients, using knowledge of blood collection devices, order of draw, techniques for venous, capillary, and heel stick collections, and cognizant of age specific needs and human anatomy. 100% positive patient identification. Independently selects the appropriate equipment and site for the job, and aims for minimal pain and anxiety for the patient. Understands the policies surrounding exceptional situations in phlebotomy, such as pink armbands, IV sites, blood transfusions; selects a venipuncture site which will not compromise the specimen or the comfort and safety of the patient. Follows established procedures to accomplish the best quality and turnaround time for patient results. Performs volume and complexity of phlebotomy draws commensurate with other staff members on the same shift. Completes day-by-the hour forms as required. Supports other members of the team by being cooperative and flexible in carrying out departmental assignments.
• Along with the lab assistants, answers 100% of phone calls coming into the laboratory in a courteous, professional and skillful manner. Is able to respond to over 50% of the requests personally, escalating the call as appropriate. Using good communication skills, responds to inquiries from medical staff and nurses, providing accurate information and instructions regarding proper specimen collection, containers, quantities, and specimen preservation for blood, microbiology and pathology samples; uses resources to investigate special requests. Responds accurately to provide answers to inquiries regarding test orders, test synonyms, profile components and Powerchart computer ordering processes utilized by nursing, unit secretaries and physicians. Uses phone system and other communication tools to transfer calls, take messages, and locate the proper person to take care of any problem which the individual can't provide himself.
• Properly identifies and track all specimens coming into the lab, organizing and packaging samples transported to different laboratory sections and multiple reference labs. Organizes post-testing samples, able to retrieve samples as requested.
• Organizes, assesses, schedules and dispatches phlebotomy requests in a systematic manager in order to minimize patient venipunctures. Recognizes specimens and tests which must be performed at specific times to monitor drug therapy, etc.
• Evaluates, accessions, documents, processes incoming specimens and delivers samples rapidly to support the customer services turnaround times of the laboratory, while performing all functions with a high degree of accuracy, detail and speed.
• Demonstrates proper techniques to secure specimens for shipping, avoiding leakage, exposure, and loss of specimens.
• Recognizes deviation from procedures and specimens which must be rejected due to issues with stability, preservation, labeling, or specimen integrity; reports to supervisor for variance reporting. Investigates incidents and discusses immediate problem resolution with lab technical staff and nursing staff, advising supervisor of trends requiring follow-up by manager.
• Provides patient reports to healthcare providers, ensuring the principles of HIPPA are observed.
• Reviews computer reports to ensure that tests are in progress, preventing lost specimens and delays; Follows up on incomplete orders, communicating with nurses in a professional manner with focus on problem resolution.
• Manages own time with little supervision to accomplish immediate duties of rapidly processing incoming specimens as well as periodic duties to create specimen transfer lists for shipping to other locations.
• Applies knowledge of culture media types, inoculation techniques, and temperature/incubation requirements to process specimens for culture.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in phlebotomy and/or clinical lab preferred.
• High School Diploma or GED Required.
• Excellent customer services skills, basic computer skills and ability to multitask are required. On-the-job- training provided as necessary.
• Intermediate computer knowledge: Uses Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Windows.