JOB SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Pre-analytical and/or General/ Technical Supervisor, the Pre Analytic Assistant I, will cover a range of duties that span across internal and external locations of the laboratory facility. Pre-analytic Assistant is responsible for processes which occur prior to the testing, such as patient preparation, specimen collection, identification, preservation, transportation and processing. Assistants provide general support functions within the pre-analytic and analytic laboratory departments such as clerical and laboratory assistant duties to support overall operation of the lab.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Daily sorting specimens that arrive at laboratory, accessioning specimens into LIS, and problem solving sample issues, centrifugation and specimen storage, pouring-off and processing of clinical and toxicology specimens.
• Develop an understanding of how Pre-Analytic functions impact the workflow and result quality of the analytic department;
  • Data entry including organizing of patient requisitions, accessioning samples into the laboratory information system and double checking work for accuracy.
  • Receive specimens, verify types and quantity, accession, sort, rack, process, centrifuge, deliver and store specimens by department or rack as instructed by supervisor.
  • Understand technical and non-technical procedures required to process and forward accessioned specimens to the designated laboratory location for testing based on standard operating procedures.
  • Monitor and process incoming specimens from all sources (e.g. couriers, phlebotomists); identify issues (e.g. incorrect specimen types missing information) and resolve or forward information in support of timely problem resolution;
  • Verify and enter patient demographics, patient consents and insurance information with manual requisitions along with collected and received time/date information.
  • Order tests as per request.
  • Operate within the client order entry system and the laboratory information system to process, accession and proceed with sample testing.
• Assist in receipt of supplies in receiving area;
  • Take inventory, stock, order and stock supply items as directed by supervisors for the pre-analytical department
• Learn and demonstrate ability to follow all established and new policies, procedures and protocols pertaining to job duties and assignments;
  • Adhere to standard laboratory safety and quality policies as directed and written in departmental manuals including but not limited to adhere to engineering controls and personal protective equipment.
  • Understand and adhere to compliance policies related to test orders.
• Develop ability to research test order information in computer system or the directory of services for send-out tests.
  • Answer phones and handle incoming/outgoing faxes.
  • Document and forward all problem requisitions/specimens to the department supervisor or designee.
• Clean and decontaminate department furnishings (phones, counters, floors, etc.) as assigned by supervisors;
• Maintain an organized workstation
• Decontaminate equipment returned from clients
• Perform daily temperature checks, maintain centrifuge logs and store supplies/reagents as directed by supervisors;
• Adhere to company’s attendance policies;
• Complete all required written documentation such that it is understandable to others, legible and within the assigned time frame
• Report to work on time as scheduled and follow attendance guidelines
• Observe safety and blood-borne pathogen precautions maintaining proper handling of bodily fluids including blood, urine, feces, etc. at all times
• Adjust to an increase or fluctuation of workloads
• Train and educate new employees on protocols and policies
• Participates in continuing education activities
• Support department’s performance in the event of coworker absence
• Clerical and other duties as assigned.
• Send Outs/Client Supply/Finance Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The Send Out / Referral / Client Supply is responsible for all duties designated under Lab Assistant as well as those listed below:
  • Understand technical and non-technical procedures and specimen requirements necessary to process specimens to forward to referral laboratories;
  • Maintain competency in DOT-regulated shipping procedures for patient samples and other materials;
  • Assist in receipt of supplies in receiving area, and provide to the correct lab department in a timely fashion.
• Develops and maintains knowledge relative to send-out processes for all reference labs utilized;
  • Follow SOP for send-out samples.
  • Check requisitions for accuracy and correct sample transport conditions.
  • Assist with daily reference laboratory results and pending lists; For those exceeding turn-around time (TAT) expectations, inquire and resolve issue then notify team of outcome as instructed.
  • Verify daily that individual referral tests accession correctly interfaces into the laboratory information system(s).
  • Accession, process and prepare specimens sent to reference laboratories in a timely manner. Other duties may be assigned.
• Inspection/Audit/Surveyor: Expectation is labs should be prepared and operate on a day to day basis to result in no deficiencies on any scheduled, random or unannounced inspection from any accrediting agency including but not limited to CLIA, COLA, OSHA, Department of Health, State, etc. Participate in required reciprocal Inspections as needed and/or requested by the Technical Supervisor.

Education:

• High School or Equivalent (GED)

Experience:

• Minimum 0 to 3-year of clinical laboratory experience. 

Professional License: None

Skills:

• Ability to communicate in English, written and verbally, with peers and management.
• Ability to create and present presentations to small and large groups
• Ability to work with Microsoft Office Products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Adobe Acrobat,
• Ability to perform, create and interpret statistical data for validations, correlations, etc.
• Basic math skills; Ability to create and work with statistical data
• Ability to quickly learn proprietary software programs
• High degree of confidentiality.

Work Environment and Physical Demand:

• Potential exposure to blood and body fluid: Category I – Performs tasks which involve exposure to blood, body fluid, or tissue
• General office and lab environment. No special physical demands required.
• Willing to work a flexible schedule as needed.
• Some travel to customer sites or partners may be required (<10%).