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 a variety of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical laboratory tasks with precision and care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prioritize and process incoming specimens following strict safety protocols.
• Review and verify physician orders and specimen integrity.
• Generate and accurately label specimen samples, ensuring proper identification.
• Distribute specimens promptly, communicating urgent orders to technologists to meet or exceed turnaround times.
• Resolve processing conflicts and coordinate specimen recollection when necessary.
• Perform microbiology setups during second or third shifts as assigned.
• Handle specimen processing inquiries and relay messages effectively.
• Conduct quality control checks and report any irregularities to supervisors.
• Collect chain of custody drug screens and manage glucose tolerance testing according to guidelines.
• Review specimen types, volumes, storage, and accession accordingly.
• Maintain inventory of reference laboratory supplies and coordinate reordering.
• Manage specimen batches for pickup and reception from outreach laboratories.
• Keep work areas clean and organized, including equipment and phlebotomy supplies.
• Collect specimens using venipuncture, capillary puncture, or arterial methods with minimal patient discomfort, adhering to protocols.
• Ensure blood culture contamination rates remain below 3%.
• Follow safety and hand hygiene protocols consistently.
• Provide clear instructions to patients regarding specimen collection and dietary restrictions.
• Foster a respectful and dignified environment for patients and coworkers.

Education

High school diploma or GED is required.

Experience

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

Certification/License

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

Mental and Physical Requirements

Requires close mental and visual attention for short periods. Approximately 50% of the time is spent standing and walking throughout the department and facility. Must be capable of lifting or carrying up to 20 pounds.

Working Conditions

Exposure to infectious materials is constant. Work environment is air-conditioned with moderate noise levels. Flexibility to work various shifts is required.