Laboratory Assistant

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Job description

Providence is calling a Laboratory Assistant (Lab Specimen Processing, Night Shift, 0.5 FTE) to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington. We are a community of caregivers delivering every day on our Mission to provide compassionate care that is accessible for all - especially those who are poor and vulnerable.

Apply Today! Applicants who meet qualifications will receive a text with some additional questions from our Modern Hire system.

In this position you will have the following responsibilities:

* Customer Service: Maintain and promote positive, open and honest interpersonal relationships with customers (physicians, employees, visitors, patients, and other PSHMC publics). Provide high quality service to all customers; focuses on understanding customers' needs and follows through. Demonstrates respect for the capabilities, different cultures and or personalities of co-workers and Medical Center publics within the mission/values of PSHMC
* Communication: Promote and demonstrate effective, open and honest written and verbal communication skills
* Self Management: Demonstrate self-management behaviors, which reflect a positive image of PSHMC, following established policies and procedures and promote an efficient, cost effective work environment
* Ownership /Stewardship and Accountability: Demonstrate good stewardship of resources by treating property of customers, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and co-workers with care and respect
* Teamwork: Work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of staff and other disciplines for problem solving without blaming
* Flexibility: Demonstrate flexibility by readily adapting to different situations to complete work
* Continuing Education: Maintain and keep current skills and knowledge for the job through continued education programs
* Attend 5 hours of CEU's per year. Document all education activity on employee's CE record
* Initiate self-directed learning and/or work experiences designed to enhance strengths and improve areas of weakness in own performance

* Quality Control / Quality Assurance / Quality Improvement: Maintains overall quality by performing and documenting quality checks.
* Identifies quality of care problems, documents, and reports through appropriate channels.
* Monitors & records temperatures and notifies supervisor or designee when tolerance limits are exceeded and records corrective action.
* Performs and records QC according to established guidelines, and refers outliers to a medical technologist or the supervisor.
* Performs and records routine maintenance checks on laboratory equipment and instruments according to departmental policy, and reports equipment/instrument problems to a medical technologist or the supervisor.
* Documents tallying of work performed as required.
* Reports to supervisor suggestions for positive changes or recommendations in departmental policies and procedures that would improve efficiency or improve patient care.
* Demonstrates the ability to recognize problems as they occur, identify the cause and determine a solution. Evaluates options for resolving issues in a collaborative manner. Documents these activities on a Laboratory QI/CS report. Refers the problem to the appropriate person if needed.
* Reads and follows guidelines of policies & procedures that are specific to their job.

* Teaching: Demonstrates procedures, instrumentation and techniques to train new staff.
* Participates professionally in new employee orientation or training in procedures of a laboratory assistant.
* Shares newly acquired knowledge by instructing co-workers, recommending procedural changes or presenting information in a manner acceptable to supervisor.

* Specimen Handling: Maintains the quality of patient samples by following appropriate specimen handling specifications.
* Properly identifies and labels patient specimens.
* Follows correct specimen-handling requirements to maintain the highest sample quality from specimen collection through disposal.
* Follows special handling requirements as required.
* Prepares samples for transportation according to departmental policy and to meet all regulations.
* Distributes samples to the correct location.
* Provides clients with specimen requirement information in an accurate and courteous manner.
* Provides clinicians/caregivers requested test results in an accurate and courteous manner.
* Evaluates specimen integrity and takes corrective action when necessary.
* Handles Stat specimens in a timely manner.
* Notifies technical staff when a test will be delayed due to a sample handling issue.
* Utilizes computer programs for monitoring specimen problems and SSR programs appropriately and according to department policy.
* Retrieves samples in a timely manner, for departments and PAML as requested.
* Seeks information or asks for assistance from appropriate personnel when necessary.

* Computer Functions: Performs computer data entry and maintains expertise with computer systems utilized.
* Verifies computer entries to ensure accuracy and demonstrates the ability to perform all data entry and use of laboratory software in an accurate manner.
* Utilizes the computerized information system efficiently, and maintains proficiency.
* Registers patients in the computer using the correct patient identification information.
* Accessions specimens maintaining accuracy of specimen number, billing information, demographic data and patient identification.
* Prints pending logs and/or worksheets according to departmental policy; reviews as required.
* Prints labels and accurately labels specimens as required.
* Prints and distributes reports in an accurate and timely manner according to departmental policy.
* Bills for tests as required, verifying accuracy and ensuring timeliness.
* Utilizes printers and faxes appropriately and effectively; correctly utilizes the fax capabilities of Mysis & CoPath, if applicable.
* Seeks information or requests assistance when data or patient information is in question.
* Maintains competency in computer communication system via Web-mail.
* Maintains competency in monitoring personal time and attendance via the APT system.

* Supply Maintenance: Performs reagent and supply maintenance functions.
* Monitors reagents/supplies and replenishes as needed.
* Orders reagents/supplies in a conscientious and cost-effective manner in consultation with Supervisor or designee.
* Receives reagents/supplies, dates and labels items as required, and verifies that proper supplies have been received in the ordered quantity.
* Distributes reagents/supplies to appropriate laboratory sections, ensures that all sections are properly supplied.
* Collects, cleans and distributes laboratory equipment such as glassware and other supplies.
* Keeps laboratory glassware in clean and usable order (not chipped or scratched).
* Cleans and defrosts all refrigerators and freezers according to schedule.
* Cleans centrifuges and waterbaths as required.
* Maintains adequate supply of paper in printers and faxes.
* Sends out requested supplies to clients in an accurate and timely manner.
* Prepares stock supplies/reagents, appropriately, labeling and stocking as needed.

* Laboratory Safety: Follows all safety guidelines outlined in the Laboratory Safety Manual and Departmental Procedures.
* Performs and documents annual review of Laboratory Safety Policies as required.
* Reads and initials all changes and updates to Safety policies and procedures.
* Never brings food or drink into the work area.
* Wears appropriate personal protective equipment including lab coats, gloves, face protection and respiratory protection as appropriate.
* Removes personal protective equipment before leaving the work area, and never wears PPE anywhere that food or drink are consumed.
* Practices established guidelines for decontamination of hazardous chemical and biological substances and disposal of hazardous chemicals. Bleaches counters at the end of each shift.
* Promptly reports all personal accidents and incidents by means of the Employee Incident Report form.
* Follows all safety guidelines during testing.

* Miscellaneous Duties: Performs miscellaneous duties as required by departmental needs and demonstrates willingness to participate in additional job assignments.
* Please refer to Skill Sheet attachment for additional department specific duties.
* Accurately transfers calls to the proper departments or individuals.
* Handles telephone information requests with courtesy, accuracy and respect for confidentiality.
* Inspires confidence in the laboratory for patients, clinicians and visitors by performing and communicating in a professional manner at all times.
* Files paperwork accurately and in a timely manner as required.
* Makes copies in a timely manner as requested.
* Works on special projects such as office work, assisting the technical staff or performing other duties as requested. Requires limited instructions to complete tasks/projects.

Required qualifications for this position include:

* Documentation of a higher education

Preferred qualifications for this position include:

* Completion of Medical Assistant (MA) course
* Prior experience in a laboratory or related science environment
* Computer experience

About the hospital you will serve.

Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center has a commanding presence in Spokane, Washington and is a beacon of hope and healing for patients throughout the region..... click apply for full job details