Join a dedicated healthcare team in the heart of the Midwest region, where your role as a Laboratory Assistant I is vital to supporting life-saving diagnostics. This position involves performing specific pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical tasks with precision and care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prioritize and process incoming specimens following strict safety guidelines.
• Review pending logs throughout and at the end of shifts to ensure accuracy.
• Verify physician orders and specimen integrity, generating and attaching labels correctly.
• Distribute specimens promptly, alerting technologists to STAT orders and ensuring turnaround times are met or exceeded.
• Resolve processing conflicts, coordinate re-collections when necessary, and manage workload priorities.
• Perform microbiology setups during evening or weekend shifts as assigned.
• Handle specimen processing inquiries via phone, relaying messages or providing status updates.
• Conduct quality control checks and report any irregularities to supervisors.
• Collect chain of custody drug screens and follow glucose tolerance testing protocols.
• Review and accession specimens accurately, maintaining inventory and ordering supplies as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of work and storage areas, including equipment and phlebotomy carts.
• Collect specimens using venipuncture, capillary puncture, or arterial methods with minimal patient discomfort, adhering to strict protocols.
• Ensure blood culture contamination rates remain below 3% and document specimen comments appropriately.
• Practice excellent safety and hand hygiene standards.
• Provide clear instructions to patients regarding specimen collection and dietary restrictions.
• Foster a respectful and dignified environment for patients and coworkers alike.

Education

High school diploma or GED is required.

Experience

At least one year of experience as a phlebotomist or laboratory assistant is required.

Certification/License

Certification is not mandatory, but PBT (ASCP) certification is preferred.

Mental and Physical Requirements

This role requires close mental and visual attention for short periods, with approximately 50% of the time spent standing and walking throughout the department. Ability to lift or carry up to 20 pounds is necessary.

Working Conditions

Expect regular exposure to infectious materials in an air-conditioned environment with moderate noise levels. Flexibility to work various shifts, including evenings and weekends, is required.