Join a dedicated healthcare team serving the heart of the Midwest region. This role as a Laboratory Assistant I involves performing essential pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical laboratory tasks with precision and care.

General Summary

The Laboratory Assistant I prioritizes specimen processing according to safety guidelines, ensuring accuracy and timely distribution. Responsibilities include reviewing orders, generating and attaching labels, and communicating with technologists to meet or exceed turnaround times.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prioritize and process incoming specimens following department safety protocols.
• Review pending logs during and at shift end to ensure completeness.
• Verify physician orders and specimen integrity.
• Generate and attach accurate labels to specimens, confirming patient identity.
• Distribute specimens promptly, notifying technologists of urgent orders.
• Resolve processing conflicts and coordinate specimen recollection when necessary.
• Perform microbiology setups during second or third shifts as assigned.
• Answer specimen processing inquiries and relay messages appropriately.
• Conduct quality control checks and report any irregularities to supervisors.
• Collect chain of custody drug screens and follow glucose tolerance testing protocols.
• Review specimen types, volumes, storage, and accession accordingly.
• Manage inventory of reference laboratory supplies and coordinate reordering.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of work and storage areas.
• Collect specimens via venipuncture, capillary puncture, or arterial collections with minimal patient trauma.
• Adhere to collection protocols, including patient identification and order of draw.
• Ensure blood culture contamination rates remain below 3%.
• Follow safety practices and hand hygiene protocols consistently.
• Provide patient instructions for urine collection and dietary restrictions as needed.
• Foster a respectful and dignified environment for patients and coworkers.

Education

High school diploma or GED required.

Experience

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

Certification/License

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

Mental/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 or 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 any shift as needed.