Provide Clerical/Administrative Support
- Answer telephone calls
- Scan documents (scan requisitions and worksheets); organize and file test reports and documents
- Manage inventory: unpack shipments, stock lab supplies, reconcile invoices
Accessioning, Specimen Processing and Distribution
- Track specimens to receive and send specimens between departments.
- Accession, process and distribute patient samples within the laboratory consistent with accuracy and quality assurance goals of the laboratory.
- Access and navigate the Pathology Document Control System, Hospital Information System (HIS), and Laboratory Information System (LIS) to accession patient specimens, requesting additional information from appropriate resources.
- Assist in Problem solving (duplicate tests, missing samples, incorrect samples and missing information); call on unacceptable specimens (clotted, hemolyzed, wrong container etc.).
- Clarify orders with Clinician/Nurse/Clinic medical staff when necessary.
- Work with other laboratory personnel to process patient casework with optimal efficiency and accuracy (e.g. basic sample preparation and setup of assays or loading automation lines).
Maintain and Operate Instruments*/Laboratory Support
- Perform and document daily maintenance as specified in instrument procedures.
- Analyze patient samples as specified in the test procedure.
- Enter test results into laboratory databases.
- Ensure continuous operation by routinely monitoring the status of reagents, parts and supplies using the Visual Inventory System.
- Monitor error codes and perform basic troubleshooting. Notify a supervisor or senior operator if unable to resolve an instrument problem. Document problems, action taken and outcomes in instrument log books.
- Maintain work area in a well-stocked, clean condition.
Perform Testing*
- Analyze patient samples (automated or manual) and report test results consistent with accuracy and quality assurance goals of the laboratory.
- Perform analysis of quality control material with documentation of completion and of action taken for out-of-range values.
- Accurately transfer off-line patient data from worksheets and instrument printouts to the computer
Professional Development
- Fulfill departmental continuing education requirement.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Specimen Processing Area Skills:
- Understand and perform procedures for appropriate processing of microbiologic specimens.
- Answer phone calls: retrieve voice mail messages, give accurate and appropriate information concerning specimen requirements and transport, answer questions, direct complex issues to the appropriate technologist or administrator, take messages and document staff call ins.
- Clarify orders with Clinician/Nurse/Clinic medical staff when necessary.
- Follow all laboratory safety procedures for the handling and disposal of biological specimens and biohazardous waste.
- Receive and plate specimens in Soft Lab ? MIC LIS; checking specimen for mislabel, acceptable source and transport type. Accurately label appropriate media for specimen set ups. Set up specimens using sterile technique in Biological safety cabinet and incubate plates according to laboratory procedure.
- Perform rapid antigen tests per laboratory procedures. Perform and record quality control.
- Stock media, store specimens, clean and disinfect work areas as needed and at least once per shift.
AFB Processing Area Skills:
- Check in specimens, label tubes and slides.
- Process and inoculate specimens for acid fast culture, including special handling and re-decontamination.
- Load culture bottles and stain AFB smears according to laboratory procedure.
- Clean and disinfect area.
Media Receiving Area Skills
- Inventory Management
- Media quality control
OPE Processing Area Skills
- Check in specimens
- Process samples according to SOP
- Make and stains slides according to SOP