Laboratory Technical Assistant - Histology

Essential Job Functions

Supports and models behaviors consistent with Billings Clinic’s mission, vision, values, code of business conduct and service expectations.

Meets all mandatory organizational and departmental requirements. Maintains competency in all organizational, departmental and outside agency standards as it relates to the environment, employee, patient safety or job performance.

• Processes and accessions samples according to established policies and procedures.
• Assists with inventory management including stocking, ordering and monitoring to ensure adequate supplies to meet business needs within the assigned section of the laboratory (Cytology, Histology, Processing, Sendouts, Hematology, Microbiology, Blood Bank, etc.)
• Performs waived laboratory testing and specimen processing within scope of practice.
• Provides administrative / clerical support for the departments including maintaining accurate record systems, requisitions, quality control data, patient results, and workflow documentation.

Understands and demonstrates appropriate communication of Private Health Information.

• Assist pathologists and physicians, including collecting and transporting specimens, preparation of bone marrow specimens and / or fine needle aspiration / fine needle biopsies, preparing slides, maintaining integrity of specimens, and disposal of specimens according to procedure.
• Answers multi-line telephones and responds to the majority of all incoming calls before transferring to alternate resources.

Responds to questions from patients, physicians and other reference labs and provides routine information, collection and testing procedures, specimen processing, turn around times, result reporting and reference lab availability.

Also responds to non-routine questions regarding what steps need to be taken to rectify a situation when the integrity of a sample / specimen has been compromised.

• Facilitates result reporting. Results may be called to physician’s office, faxed or mailed depending on orders and situation.
• Monitors all label printers and fax machines for incoming orders. Responsible for ensuring printers and faxes are maintained in good working order due to the critical nature of information being received.

Acts as a resource in resolving printer and fax related function problems, maintenance and form loading.

Responsible for checking and verifying the integrity / quality of the specimens to ensure appropriate specimen volumes, packaging, etc.

Assumes responsibility for initiating follow-up action necessary to prevent and / or resolve problem scenarios and coordinates as appropriate with other departments, management, etc.

• Coordinates specimen mail-outs to reference laboratories. Duties include decisions regarding how to draw sample / specimen, timing of draw, appropriate preparation of the sample / specimen, timing of mailing, selecting appropriate reference lab for processing as outlined in laboratory policies and procedures and tracking and planning the appropriate transportation mode.
• Maintains inventory management including order entry in Lawson, stocking and monitoring to ensure adequate supplies to meet the business needs for all areas within the Laboratory department and reference laboratory.

Uses the correct cost center and General Ledger numbers.

• Dispatches and monitors the phlebotomy staff to maintain efficient response and turnaround times on hospital specimen orders.
• Receives specimens from the laboratory runners, phlebotomy staff, pneumatic tube system and external clients. Utilizes judgment to determine if sample / specimen is appropriate for testing according to established guidelines or if a redraw will be necessary.

Initiates specimen preparation and processing. Utilizes appropriate equipment (i.e. track system, centrifuge), prepares spin-offs, aliquots, cassettes, blocks and slides and distributes to the appropriate area of the laboratory for final processing.

Monitors printers for STAT orders from the nursing units.

Responsible for set-up, basic maintenance and records of work stations; filling staining stations, imagers, cleaning work areas, emptying garbage, cleaning of track, checking temperatures of refrigerators and freezers, cleaning of centrifuges, monitoring courier contact points, creating cassettes, changing fluids and paraffin, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school graduate or equivalent
• Advanced education in areas of science, chemistry and mathematics normally acquired through college level courses preferred

Experience

• Prior laboratory or health care experience preferred
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience relating to the above, tasks, knowledge, skills or abilities will be considered

Employee Benefits

Billings Clinic Employees

Billings Clinic is a best place to work because if its people. The collegial atmosphere, teamwork, pride in care, and numerous opportunities to grow both personally and professionally help keep our amazing employees here caring for patients.

State of the art facilities and advanced technology gives the health care professionals the tools to provide advanced health care in a healing environment.

• 2019 Billings Chamber of Commerce Employer of the Year
• 2019 Becker’s 50 Best U.S. Companies to work For
• 2019 Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Experience
• LivAbility One of the Top 25 Best Places to Live in America
• 2016 Outside Magazine’s America’s Best Town

Employees have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of each other and our patients, making this a truly meaningful place to work.

The organization also offers employees the opportunity to engage in numerous councils and educational opportunities leading to career growth and involvement in decision making and important initiatives.

Beyond giving great care, employees’ ideas and insights are valued at every level of the organization.

At Billings Clinic, it is important to celebrate milestones and ensure that employees feel valued. Recognitions such as the DAISY or BEE Awards, Years of Service and the employee recognition program give everyone the opportunity to show encouragement toward team members who go the extra mile.

Billings Clinic offers excellent benefits and salaries, education assistance, paid time off, and learning plans for career growth.

The combination of excellent benefits, strength of the organization and meaningful work make Billings Clinic one of the best places to spend a career in health care.

Billings, Montana is a friendly college community located near the magnificent Rocky Mountains with great exciting outdoor recreation just minutes from home.

Billings has great parks, trails, public lands, thriving restaurants, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and abundant events and family activities.

Explore some of the Billings Clinic employee benefits

Health

BeWell -An employee wellness program with initiatives and resources around Health, Finance, Personal Growth, and Community.

Programs include free blood screenings, flu shots, biometric screenings, health assessment, incentives such as insurance premium discounts for participation.

Medical -Billings Clinic offers a comprehensive self-insured health plan, including a traditional PPO plan and an HSA plan.

The benefit is available to full or part time employees.

• Pharmacy- Our medical plan includes prescription benefit coverage and prescriptions can be filled at the Atrium Pharmacy on our campus with a mailing service available to employees who reside outside of Billings.
• Dental- Preventive and Comprehensive plans include preventive and major dental services such as fillings, extractions, bridgework, dentures and crowns.
• Vision- A vision plan is available; which covers a routine eye exam and provides an allowance for the purchase of frames, lenses or contact lenses.
• Flexible Spending Accounts- We offer two types of spending accounts : health care and dependent care. Both allow you to pay certain expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• HSA Savings Accounts- We offer an HSA savings accounts and an employer contribution for full time employees.

Short Term Disability / Medical Leave -Billings Clinic provides a short term disability medical plan which provides employees with days to use in the event of an extended illness or injury.

Financial

• Paid Time Off -Billings Clinic recognizes an employee's need to balance work and family life. Billings Clinic provides a paid time off benefit which affords employees the opportunity to have time off with pay.
• Retirement Plans -Billings Clinic provides a defined contribution pension plan and a 403(b) tax deferred savings plan with matching contributions.

These plans offer employees the opportunity to save for their retirement years with a variety of investment options available.

• Flexible Spending Accounts- We offer two types of spending accounts : health care and dependent care. Both allow you to pay certain expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• HSA Savings Accounts- We offer an HSA savings accounts and an employer contribution for full time employees.

Tuition reimbursement and / or assistance programs are available for certain positions.

Employee Crisis Fund -Provides limited financial assistance to Billings Clinic employees who need immediate aid.

Growth & Community

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)- Billings Clinic recognizes that mental well-being is connected to physical health. We offer employees and their eligible dependents, at no cost, four sessions of mental health related services through our confidential EAP program.
• Billings Clinic Parent Network (BCPN) -A unique group to support the employees who also wear the hat of parent . The group meets monthly to discuss the challenges of being a working parent and provides encouragement and support.
• Cafeteria and Commons Café- meal subsidies
• Bicycle-friendly business- Bronze award winner by the League of American Bicyclists
• Tuition reimbursement and / or assistance programs are available for certain positions.
• Leadership training
• Employee recognition programs such as the Bee Award for outstanding team members, Daisy Award for nursing excellence, Great-Catch Award (safety), Years of Service award, YAG awards.

Several employee recognition events throughout the year such as the food truck outdoor event, hot cocoa bar event, etc. to promote fun and employee recognition.

• Free or discounted tickets to local entertainment and sporting events
• Club Billings Clinic offers employees discounts at numerous local businesses and service providers
• Lactation facilities for new mothers.
• 360-degree performance reviews
• Our organization promotes sustainable or green practices.
• Identity Theft Protection and Emergency Travel Assistance
• Business education, continuing education credit assistance
• Formal career development and job advancement programs
• Actively supports community service initiatives, e.g. United Day of Caring, Saturday Live, etc.
• Flexible scheduling and telecommuting options for certain positions to accommodate work / life balance

Casual Fridays"-ability to wear work appropriate jeans to work (for non-clinical employees)

• Workplace facilities to promote exercise
• Promotes walking trails both inside and around the campus
30+ days ago