LAB ASSISTANT

The Lab Assistant at Riverside Healthcare is responsible for performing blood collection procedures, including venipuncture and capillary punctures, ensuring patient safety and comfort. This role also includes processing laboratory specimens, managing specimen logistics, and providing general support to the laboratory team. The Lab Assistant plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate and timely laboratory results, contributing to high-quality patient care. Position includes rotating weekend and holiday shifts.

Essential Duties

• Blood Collection: Perform venipuncture and capillary punctures on patients of all ages, ensuring proper identification, labeling, and handling of blood specimens. Collect specimens by filling tubes to acceptable levels and utilizing correct order of draw. Respond to specified codes and traumas for specimen collection.
• Specimen Processing: Prepare, process, and transport laboratory specimens according to established protocols, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of samples. Confirm special requirements for specimen acceptability before and/or after delivery to the laboratory. Locate previously collected specimens for additional test requests when acceptable. Prepare send out specimens for reference laboratories.
• Patient Interaction: Provide excellent patient care by ensuring comfort and safety during the blood collection process, addressing patient concerns, and utilizing AIDET with every interaction. 
• Safety and Compliance: Adhere to all laboratory safety procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), infection prevention standards, and handling and disposal of biohazardous materials and chemicals. Complete all competency assessments at required intervals.
• Data Entry: Accurately enter patient and specimen information into the laboratory information system (LIS), maintaining meticulous records of all collected samples.
• Inventory Management: Monitor and restock phlebotomy and laboratory supplies, ensuring that all necessary materials are available and properly stored.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the laboratory team to prioritize and coordinate specimen collection and processing, contributing to efficient laboratory operations. Notify supervisor of any unusual problems with specimens, patients, provider orders, etc.
• Survey Support: Assist with inspections including, but not limited to, CAP and DNV. Follow CAP requirements and assist in maintaining CAP compliance as directed by supervisor.
• Administrative Support: Assist with general administrative tasks within the laboratory, including filing, answering phones, sending/receiving faxes, and managing patient paperwork as needed.
• Training Support: Provide guidance and support to new phlebotomy staff or students, sharing knowledge of blood collection techniques and safety practices.
• Process Improvement: Participate in process improvement initiatives, offering suggestions to enhance workflow, patient care, and overall laboratory efficiency.
• Flexibility: Demonstrate flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Non-essential Duties

• Outreach Collection: Perform venipuncture and capillary punctures on patients/residents at contracted facilities, such as nursing homes. Transport specimens back to the laboratory for processing and testing.

Required Experience

• Proficiency in venipuncture and capillary puncture techniques
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well under pressure and maintain a high level of accuracy

Preferred Experience

• At least 1 year of experience in phlebotomy, preferably in a healthcare or clinical setting preferred
• Experience in a hospital clinical laboratory setting preferred
• Knowledge of safety protocols and biohazard handling procedures a plus
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment desire

Required Licensure/Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Completion of a phlebotomy training program required

Preferred Education

• Phlebotomy certification or 2 years phlebotomy experience preferred

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Acids, bases, formalin
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Blood and body fluids handled continuously on a daily basis so exposure is very high
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Very high potential due to direct patient contact and handling of infectious specimens

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Needed for communication with coworkers, providers, clinical staff, and all other customers whether direct or via phone.
• Vision: Needed for computer operation, specimen collection, processing, and handling.
• Smell: Electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Needed to listen to coworkers, customers and patients.
• Touch: Required for performing phlebotomy, i.e., feeling for vein location and obtaining specimens as well as specimen processing.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 5%
• Twist: 5%
• Stand: 25%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 35%
• Kneel: 5%
• Lift: 5%
• Drive: 5%
• Squat: 0%
• Climb: 0%
• Bend: 10%
• Reach above shoulders: 5%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 50 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

Supply stock up to 20 lbs - 50' maximum distance normally carried to fill cabinets from floor to above shoulders. Possibly help to lift baby. Lift printer paper and roll of labels to bar code printer. 

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 40
• Twist: 3
• Stand: 120
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 20
• Kneel: 1
• Lift: 1
• Drive: 30
• Squat: 4
• Climb: 0
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. Normal weight: often
• Pushing & pulling Normal weight: up to 3-50 lbs. often
• Fine Manipulation: Keyboard, holding needles and tube apparatus and inserting into patient's arm. Heel sticks require fine motor skills. Inverting tubes and manipulating specimens is necessary.

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Very Bright
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Fumes, Odors, Dust

Special Hazards: Electrical, Radiation, Other - Chemical additives for tests, powder in latex gloves, electrical shock hazard in centrifuges. Constant exposure to blood and body fluids. Rare exposure to radiation when drawing exposed or treated patients.

Protective Clothing Required: Gloves, lab coat, closed-toe shoes. Occasional mask and goggles.