Medical Laboratory Assistant - Pathology

The Medical Laboratory Assistant I has responsibility for the processing, organizing, labeling, and transporting of specimens for laboratory testing.

Duties also include the input and extraction of data from the Laboratory Information System and the performance of clerical tasks such as answering phones and filing documents.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results.

Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepares specimens for courier pick up and delivery to referral lab as necessary. Communicates with other laboratory personnel when specimens need to be transported to other areas.
• Performs various Laboratory Information System functions. Files requisitions, reports and other pathology materials appropriately.

Answers the telephone and refers requests for the delivery of results to physician offices appropriately.

Organizes workload and sets priorities. Keeps work area neat, clean and well stocked. Utilizes all available work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks.

QUALITY / SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Receives, triages, orders, labels and transports specimens for laboratory testing. Processes specimens, aliquots, and / or slides / blocks according to procedure for samples tested in the laboratory as well as samples forwarded to referral laboratories.

Handles STAT samples expeditiously. Assists pathologist and / or other laboratory personnel with specimen grossing as needed.

• Recognizes problems (such as mislabels, incorrect tube type, etc.), identifies causes, and takes corrective action to solve basic problems.
• Operates automated instrumentation as applicable at entity following all safety measures. Performs and documents any processing equipment maintenance.
• Maintains a safe environment within the Laboratory, following all policies and procedures for safety, hazardous materials, security and emergency preparedness.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Adjusts work schedule to accommodate departmental / organizational needs. Appropriately utilizes the time recording system.
• Uses department resources / equipment / supplies properly and efficiently.

GROWTH / INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Participates in departmental projects activities, and seeks continuing education opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business / job duties as assigned.

Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include : GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

WORK EXPERIENCE

Previous experience in a laboratory preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

N / A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going evaluations consisting of one or more of the following : skills, competency assessments and / or performance reviews
• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
• Strong organizational skills to handle a heavy workload and maintain accuracy
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of specimen requirements for testing, processing, and proper waste disposing
• Possesses basic computer knowledge to operate multiple computer systems to include Office software to maintain patient and testing records and other related documents
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform
• Scrubs
• Business professional
• Other (department approved)

ON-CALL*

• Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
• On Call*

TRAVEL

Travel specifications may vary by department

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area

Company Profile :

Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital opened in June 2017 as the eighth hospital in the Houston Methodist system. This 267-bed, 725,000-square-foot, full-service, acute-care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

• Also, on the beautiful hospital campus, located at the intersection of Interstate 45 and Texas State Highway 242, are two medical office buildings, which include a Breast Care Center;
• Cancer Center; infusion center; heart and vascular services; neurology; orthopedics and sports medicine; rehabilitation services;

wellness services; an outpatient laboratory; and several other multispecialty physician practices. In January 2022, Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened Healing Tower a $250 million expansion project that added 106 beds, focused on medical-surgical and women’s services, and provided nine operating rooms.

The project also included the expansion of the endoscopy center, emergency department and diagnostic imaging department with an enhanced neurodiagnostic and interventional center.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor priority referral Protected Veterans requested.