Laboratory Assistant

Department/Skill highlights

• Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL, Day Shift, 80 hrs/2 wks

Experience a rewarding and fulfilling career with Mercyhealth. Mercyhealth is committed to offering our partners a best place to work. Our unique workplace Culture of Excellence is built upon:

• Employee engagement, empowerment and growth
• Teamwork toward our common goal – providing exceptional health care services with a passion for making lives better
• An atmosphere of caring and quality that cascades throughout the organization

Essential duties and Responsibilities

• Proficient with Hospital Information System (HIS) and Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) to release orders or register patients as needed. Assess orders for special collection requirements and patient preparation. Documents appropriate diagnosis code when indicated. Resolve unusual or unclear test orders by contacting the physician, nurse or reference laboratory and documents actions taken. Research tests not orderable in the LIS for specimen requirements and appropriate billing information including price and CPT codes. Utilize Billing Information Systems and Reference Lab Information Systems to research requests and resolve requests. Refer all unresolved issues to the appropriate supervisor.
• Accept specimens from a variety of internal and external customers; accurately identify patients, samples and orders using two patient identifiers. Sort samples; resolve specimen identification or requisition issues. Assure appropriate processing of samples including assuring patients are registered appropriately as dictated by insurance according to regulatory requirements and tests are ordered appropriately.
• Accession collected specimens using LIS, centrifuge and aliquot specimens as needed and deliver to the appropriate section in the laboratory. Appropriately notify testing personnel of stat requests. Utilize LIS to appropriately receive specimens; package and track specimens for transportation to reference laboratories. Possess knowledge of insurance processes specific to reference laboratories to assure billing is done in accordance with government regulations. Possess knowledge of processing and packaging of samples to reference laboratories.
• Answer and screen telephone calls in a professional and helpful manner. Call critical results to the appropriate licensed caregiver and chart reports as needed. Review order monitors and investigate the collection summary report using the established guidelines.
• Assist with inventory and maintenance of supplies at an appropriate level; assist with training of new partners. Performs routine maintenance, QA and QC appropriate to the in the work area of responsibility. Additional duties as assigned.
• The Lab Assistant working in Histology files slides and blocks; assists with Bone Marrow Procedures; assists with Frozen Sectioning; Scans Reports into the patient chart; assists with statistics for QA and QC processes; tracks and organizes paper work and lot numbers on IHC reagents; stocks supplies as they are received; presents finished cases/slides to pathologists; organizes consults and referrals; organizes specimens for grossing; prints cassettes and slides; organizes slides & insert into slide dryer for overnight drying; discards tissues in the appropriate manner and time interval; retrieves slides/blocks from the morgue as needed; performs equipment maintenance; organizes retro review; contacts remote sites with patient ID discrepancies.
• The Lab Assistant working in Cytology assists the cytology department with non-technical duties and processes gyn and non gyn cytology specimens; maintains the slide and requisition filing system; operates and maintains the Thin Prep T3000; operates and maintains the Thin prep T2000; operates and maintains the Cytospin; operates and maintains the Thin Prep Imaging system; prepares gyn specimen aliquots; performs Glacial acetic acid washes as indicated; maintains the automatic staining equipment; prepares and maintains cytology departments working solutions.
• The Lab Assistant working in Microbiology processes samples from all body sites and plates the specimens to the appropriate media; maintains organism stocks and subs QC isolates; performs QC and QA for media, prepares kits and media, kit tests and other test products; maintains automatic staining equipment and autoclave; performs weekly autoclaving; performs kit testing on patient specimens; prepares miscellaneous testing supplies such as AFB fixative, 2ml water tubes for reducing substance testing; defrosts the -20C freezer; stocks supplies and organizes storage areas; maintains and files manual test reports; loads specimens in BactiAlert and processes positive Blood cultures; monitors, records temperatures and takes appropriate action as necessary; maintains C02 tanks; cleans microscopes, incubators and centrifuge.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent. Prior laboratory or science related field experience preferred.

Special Physical Demands

The Special Physical Demands are considered Essential Job Function of the position with or without accommodations.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; sit, walk; bend over; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. Good eye/hand coordination and close vision required. Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds.