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 during and at the end of shifts to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Verify physician orders and specimen integrity, generate and attach labels correctly, and distribute specimens promptly.
• Communicate effectively with technologists regarding STAT orders and resolve any processing conflicts, coordinating re-collections when necessary.
• Perform microbiology setups during second or third shifts as assigned.
• Answer specimen processing inquiries and relay messages to technologists.
• Conduct quality control procedures and report any discrepancies to supervisors.
• Collect chain of custody drug screens and follow protocols for glucose tolerance testing.
• Review specimens for proper type, volume, storage, and accession accordingly.
• Manage inventory of reference laboratory supplies and coordinate reordering to maintain adequate stock.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of work areas, equipment, and supplies.
• Collect specimens using venipuncture, capillary puncture, or arterial collections with minimal patient discomfort, adhering to strict protocols for patient identification and specimen handling.
• Ensure blood culture contamination rates remain below 3% and document specimen comments as needed.
• Follow safety practices and hand hygiene protocols consistently.
• Provide clear instructions to patients regarding urine collection and dietary restrictions.
• Foster a respectful and dignified environment for patients and coworkers alike.

Education

High school diploma or GED required.

Experience

Minimum of one year experience as a phlebotomist or laboratory assistant preferred.

Certification/License

Certification is not required; however, 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 able to lift and carry 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 necessary.