Lab Assistant - Lead

Lab Assistant - Lead

Lab Assistant - Lead
Department: Support Services
Schedule: Full time
Shift: Days
Hours: 80 hours bi-weekly, day shift
Job Details:
* High School Diploma/GED
* Minimum of 3 years of experience
*
Summary:The Senior Lab Assistant possesses excellent communication skills, organizational and customer service skills. A concern for excellence in patient care and a cheerful personality are essential.

Frequent communication outside of the work group is required to resolve disagreements, reach agreements and clarify issues/processes. Responsibility exists to ensure that internal customers are satisfied with service. Communicates with external contacts frequently and is responsible to ensure ongoing service.

Possesses knowledge of laboratory testing and procedures to serve as a resource for clients and customers. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served.

Demonstrates the ability to work quickly and accurately in an environment with many distractions. Duties are repetitive in nature, but require precise adherence to detail. Must work independently at a higher level of knowledge in specimen processing and reference testing.

Demonstrates proficiency with information systems and computer applications.

Possesses a thorough understanding of chemical and bio-hazardous situations in the laboratory and follows all precautions listed in the departmental chemical hygiene and exposure control plans.

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with Ascension Health Core Values, St. Agnes policies/procedures and applicable civil laws. Accountable for efficient use of resources and support of the St. Agnes mission.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
§ Responds to all inquiries concerning topics related to laboratory services and policies.
§ Communicates with physicians, nurses and other hospital staff and clients to obtain required clinical information necessary to complete testing and maintain compliance
§ Documents and investigates issues and problems and provides resolution to customer needs.
§ Demonstrates current and specific knowledge of specimen requirements, specimen handling and processing
§ Duties may include; registering, entering orders, accessioning, centrifuging, labeling, separating into aliquots and securing specimens according to procedure.
§ Packages and ships specimens in compliance with CDC, DOT, USPS, IATA and ICAO regulations
§ Monitors status of lab orders and tracks specimens by pending logs and reports
§ Runs laboratory reports and creates spread sheets to capture specific information as requested
§ Faxes requested reports and information.
§ Maintains patient information files as required by State and Federal regulations.
§ Adheres to HIPPA requirements as defined in St Agnes Hospital HIPPA Policies and Procedures.
§ Pro-actively communicates to implement resolutions for problematic and potentially problematic situations.
§ Assists with procedural changes for necessary updates to laboratory manuals.
§ Provides instruction to new associates and maintains and records training on appropriate checklists.
§ Assists with inventory, ordering and stocking of processing supplies
§ Work requires exercising independent judgment
§ Promotes teamwork within the department; initiates intra- and interdepartmental communications.
§ Participates in quality improvement processes.
§ Maintains updated laboratory manuals.
§ Assigns duties according to department needs and within budget constraints.
§ Maintains records for attendance and punctualityLeadership Responsibilities:
· Participates in monthly administrative meetings for Laboratory Support Services with Administrative Laboratory Director, Medical Directors, Department Supervisor, Lead Phlebotomist and LSS Trainer

· Reviews training needs of department and oversees training for new employees and procedures.
Ø Ensures orientation and adequate training of all employees through the development and maintenance of training checklists and competency testing.
Ø Finds creative ways to meet all educational and training needs / requirements of lab and hospital staff.
Ø Provides insight to employee performance for evaluation purposes.
Ø Completes performance appraisals and meets with individual associates to review evaluations.

· Develops creative approaches to management and initiates/introduces change effectively.
Ø Communicates changes to staff effectively.
Ø Documents that new and revised procedures are competency assessed.
Ø Clearly communicates expectations to employees and provides counseling as appropriate.
Ø Motivates staff to bring potential solutions to issues they would like addressed.
Ø Utilizes staff in decision-making and process implementation.
Ø Promotes performance improvement through active participation in the Occurrence Management System.

· Promotes teamwork within department; initiates effective intra- and interdepartmental communications.
Ø Promotes teamwork through example.
Ø Corrects behaviors which are not conducive to good teamwork.
Ø Plans lab staff meeting and provides minutes.
Ø Plans events / activities to promote good will.

Administrative Duties
· Anticipates workload and production capacity of workforce.
Ø Provides service within budget and man hours.
Ø Identifies and resolves issues of poor utilization of manpower.
Ø Flexes staffing as needed based on workload volume.
Ø Provides constructive input to employees for their self-development.
Ø Assesses employee performance for evaluation purposes.

· Oversees training needs of department and for new employees and procedures; provides/coordinates training for ancillary areas.
Ø Ensures orientation and adequate training of all employees through the development and maintenance of training checklists and competency testing.
Ø Finds creative ways to meet all educational and training needs / requirements of lab and hospital staff.

Required Education:High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:N/A

Required Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:N/A

Preferred Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:N/A

Required Experience:Three to five years experience in a clinical lab setting functioning in a job title encompassing diagnostic testing.

Preferred Experience:Phlebotomy experience or college courses related to biology and/or computer software.

Reports To:Supervisor, Laboratory Support Services

Supervisory Responsibilities:This position supervises line staff.