Clinical Laboratory Assistant

Job description

Signature Healthcare is Southeastern Massachusetts’ premier local provider of quality, personalized medical services. We are comprised of the award-winning not-for-profit Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital; Signature Medical Group (SMG), a multi-specialty physician group of more than 150 physicians practicing in 18 ambulatory locations. We believe our distinctive Signature Healthcare team approach is the way healthcare should be: medical professionals across many locations communicating and collaborating, taking advantage of technologies and resources to make a difference in the lives and health of our patients.
Position Summary:
Performs a variety of functions in central processing, laboratory office and clinical areas including patient registration, specimen receipt and processing, order entry, telephone inquiries and other duties as assigned.
Location: 680 Centre Street, Brockton, MA
Department: Laboratory
This is a full-time 40 hour/ week position
Responsibilities:
• Register patients as required
• Order appropriate laboratory testing as requested by providers
• Receive specimens individually or by batch into the LIS
• Batch specimens to secondary locations as required
• Process specimens for both in-house and reference laboratory testing according to testing requirements
• Ensure specimens are collected, stored and processed according to testing requirements
• Cancel and request new samples when integrity is compromised
• Deliver specimens to appropriate area of the laboratory to ensure testing is performed in a timely manner
• Load specimens onto the laboratory track system as required, ensuring sample integrity throughout the process
• Perform add-on testing as requested ensuring appropriate specimen requirements are followed
• Ensure patient/specimen identity by confirmation of two identifiers throughout all steps of collection, aliquoting and processing of specimens
• Demonstrate knowledge of specimen priorities and the ability to prioritize appropriately
• Clarify all unclear orders prior to collection or processing
• Answer telephone according to Laboratory policy, take and relay messages accurately to the appropriate person
• Assist callers with questions or direct them to appropriate resource
• Fax patient results according to laboratory policy
• Provide excellent customer service to patients, physicians and other healthcare providers
• Effectively communicate information and instructions regarding tests and specimen collection to patients and/or family members, physicians, other healthcare providers in a respectful manner
• Communicate issues or significant events to both management and incoming shifts
• Follow up on events with patients and/or healthcare providers and document appropriately
• Maintain work area stocked, neat, clean and in orderly condition at all times.
• Must wear facility provided identification badge.
• Consistently adheres to established Laboratory and Hospital policies for Universal Precautions, Chemical Hygiene and Safety procedures. When handling blood and/or body fluids, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is utilized
• Demonstrate respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.

• Commit to recognize and respect cultural diversity for all customers (internal and external).
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customers with respect of differences in cultures, values, beliefs and ages, utilizing interpreters when needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned

BASIC KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/APTITUDE/EXPERIENCE:
• Ability to handle multiple priorities
• Ability to make decisions and use independent discretion
• Ability to work alone and with others;
• Ability to work in a busy, loud environment;

Education/Experience/Licenses/Technical/Other:
• Education: High School Education or equivalent required.
• Experience: Experience in medical terminology, customer service and patient registration. Post High School education in business or liberal arts desirable.
• Certification/Licensure: Lab Assistant, Phlebotomy (ASCP) or Medical Assistant certification preferred but not required.
• Software/Hardware: Meditech, Lattice