Laboratory Assistant

Title: Laboratory Assistant

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Department: Laboratory
Reports to: Histology Supervisor

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday from 4:00pm – 12:30am

Job Summary:

Performs ancillary functions in the histology laboratory as defined by the histology supervisor.

Essential Key Responsibilities:

• Assign cases, organize and hand deliver cases to pathologists.
• Distribute H&E slides and remove slides from Spectra.
• Take and document daily temperature of refrigerators and freezers.
• May label requisitions, specimen containers, cassettes and/or slides and affixes coverslip to slides.
• Start water baths.
• Start embedding station.
• Turn on oven.
• Shave blocks after embedded.
• Accession new cases in Novopath LIS.
• Retrieve done cases from Pathologist office.
• Register Histology cases in Intergy and scan requisitions after diagnosed.
• File slides and blocks.
• Clean Spectra once a week.
• Clean Peloris as indicated.
• Clean bench areas in Histology department.
• Dump, discard tissues once a week
• Discard biohazard (red bag) garbage.
• Inspect once a week eye wash station and chemical shower.
• Document reagents received in the reagent log book.
• Change reagents on Stainer as scheduled/ determined by department supervisor.
• Change reagents on processor as scheduled/ determined by department supervisor.
• Assist the department with disposing of old blocks and slides in accordance with CAP guidelines.
• Dispose of waste in accordance with department and state, local, and federal regulations.
• Disposes of hazardous chemical waste per regulatory guidelines.
• Assist in gathering specimens and preparing the blocks and/or slides for send outs.
• Document supplies received to ensure it correlates with supplies orders.
• Ensure supplies are stocked.
• Maintains strictest confidentiality.
• Complies with all State, Federal, professional regulations as well as company and departmental rules, polices, and procedural manuals.
• Adherence to CAP, CLIA, State Regulations, HIPAA, Safety and OSHA Regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent

Experience:

Minimum of One (1) year experience as a Laboratory Assistant preferred.

Requirements:

• Successful completion of a pre-employment visual color discrimination test (ISHIHARA TEST)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of medical terminology to communicate with laboratory staff.
• Knowledge of safety requirements and recognize hazardous conditions.
• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Skill in using computer programs and applications.
• Ability to listen, read, understand, and follow oral, and written instruction.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with employees, physicians, vendors, clients, and external agencies
• Ability to identify and resolve problems.

Equipment

• Computers, computer programs, information system, scanners, forceps, rulers, tissue dyes, scalpel or razor blades, slide rack, tissue processor, drying ovens, automatic strainers, cover slippers, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Environmental Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Laboratory/Office work environment with exposure to various chemicals and equipment. Prolonged sitting, frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping and lifting up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Safety equipment and personal protective equipment provided and required.
• Requires normal range of hearing and manual dexterity sufficient to operate office and laboratory equipment. On-call status after normal hours of operations. Some travel required (conferences, client prospective client visits). Laboratory Setting; exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, blood borne pathogens, chemical hazards and sharp instruments.

HIPAA/PHI Security Level: HIGH (Low, Medium, or High)

Indicate the security access level of Protected Health Information (PHI) as necessary to perform essential key responsibilities of the position (access, utilize, disclose, store, and/ or dispose of PHI).

1. Low –information access is of general nature representing summary type data rather than specific identifiable demographic or sensitive data.

2. Medium – information access is specific to an individual’s demographics and service information (type of service, services received, dates of service, and provider of service).

3. High – information access is detailed and sensitive to an individual’s demographics, service information, and personal medical history (past/present medical conditions, specifics of medical diagnosis or tests, treatment plans, and family history).

All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of education, knowledge, skills and/or experience necessary to proficiently perform the job. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Life insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Night shift

Application Question(s):

• Requires successful completion of a pre-employment visual color discrimination test (ISHIHARA TEST)
• Requires knowledge of Medical Terminology

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Laboratory Assistant: 1 year (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Night Shift (Required)

Work Location: In person