Laboratory Assistant Technical

Job Summary / Purpose

Primarily works in the lab technical departments. Assists with technical procedures within regulatory guidelines. Assists with telephone calls and other departmental clerical duties.  If allowed by local and state regulations, may perform CLIA-waived and moderate complex testing as necessary for the dept organization. May also perform phlebotomy support. 

Essential Key Job Responsibilities

1. Practices positive patient identification at all times, in all job functions. Receives and prepares various specimens for analysis. Properly labels and aliquots. 
2. Performs department specimen intake, processing and organization for the technical testing area.
3. Performs department support functions, ie culture plating, histology staining, specimen loading on instruments depending upon department needs and organization.
4. Reviews pending test lists to assist with department turnaround time.
5. Assists in solving problems, investigates specimen issues and customer inquiries. Provides information regarding specimen and testing status as appropriate.
6. Monitors and stocks department supplies and reagents. Logs reagents and supplies, following department protocols.
7. Performs and documents calibrations linearity, and/or instrument comparisons under the direction of medical technologist/technician.
8. Performs routine equipment maintenance and maintains records. Displays competency operating, trouble-shooting and maintaining equipment.
9. May perform phlebotomy. Follows blood collection procedures, performs venous and capillary punctures on all age groups of inpatient and outpatient populations, including blood bank collections. Utilizes appropriate collection techniques to obtain quality samples and adheres to appropriate volume requirements. 
10. As allowed by local and state regulations, may perform CLIA waived and moderately complex laboratory testing following written technical policies and procedures. Evaluates and releases test results under the direction of a Clinical Lab Scientist. Evaluates result validity considering quality control results, instrument performance, specimen integrity and prior patient results.

Required Education and Experience: 

High School Diploma/GED

Preferred Certifications:

Phlebotomy program certificate

Lab Assistant Program certification

Preferred Experience:

6 months experience in an acute care facility

Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Training:

Excellent customer service and  time management skills

St. Joseph Health – Bryan/College Station, Navasota, Caldwell, Madisonville, TX. Since 1936, St. Joseph Health has been caring for the communities in and surrounding the Brazos Valley. We have a Level III Trauma Center, the first Joint Commission certified Primary Stroke Center, and the first accredited Chest Pain Center in the Brazos Valley. St. Joseph Health is a leader in critical care and the largest provider of cardiovascular care in the region. As an integrated healthcare system St. Joseph Health includes a comprehensive network of over 100 employed providers including primary care physicians specialists and advanced practice clinicians. The network includes more than 30 ambulatory clinics featuring primary care, Express Clinics, and imaging and diagnostic services.