Laboratory Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

• At Mahaska Health the primary role of the Laboratory Assistant is to support the laboratory by collecting and processing specimens. The Laboratory Assistant also performs specified waived and moderate complexity testing as trained and successfully demonstrating competency. Essential job functions include but are not limited to;
• Comply with regulations for all accrediting and regulatory bodies such as : Clinical Lab-oratory Improvement Act (CLIA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), The Joint Commission (TJC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Drug Administration (FDA).
• Comply with CMS and MHP regulations and policies for ordering and billing of tests.
• Performs and reports waived and moderate complexity testing on blood, urine and feces under supervision and direction of Laboratory Director.
• Understand, perform, analyze, and record quality control tests for each procedure including action taken to correct problems.
• Evaluate results of testing and quality controls.
• Able to recognize deviations from expected results and alerts MLT, MT and / or Laboratory Director to the unexpected deviation.
• Perform venipunctures and capillary blood collections using proper patient identification, correct tubes, handling and labeling appropriately. Appropriately processes specimens within acceptable time frames for the test(s).
• Collect and prepare non-blood specimens for testing.
• Process specimens and reports to and from reference laboratories.
• Follow procedures and policies for handling infectious, chemical, and electrical hazards, including the use of personal protective equipment.
• Maintain a cooperative working relationship with employees, visitors, medical staff, and patients, keeping in mind the person’s unique needs within their age category (refer to Mahaska Health Partnership’s Age Specific Standards of Care).
• Ability to read and understand Safety Data Sheets.
• Obtain and maintain certification and ability to perform DOT and Non-DOT urine drug screen collections according to requesting company protocol.
• Dispose of bio-hazardous materials not needed.
• Maintain equipment as designated; document sanitation / cleanliness as required.
• Assist other laboratory staff with patient drawings and distributing results.
• Check inventory of supplies and reorder as needed.
• Follow policies for documentation of results, phoned / faxed orders and results, maintenance, performance improvement, manual updates, and other as designated by the supervisor / director.
• Conduct self in accordance with Mahaska Health’s confidentiality policy; ensuring to follow all MHP training guidelines in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
• Maintain a cooperative working relationship with employees, visitors, medical staff, and patients, keeping in mind the person’s unique needs within their age category (refer to Mahaska Health’s Age Specific Standards of Care Policy).
• Ability to deal with confidential information.
• Must be able to perform the physical demands of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance. Attend meetings, as requested.
• All other duties as assigned or requested.

Job requirements include but are not limited to;