Assistant II, Laboratory

Kaiser Permanente; Duluth (GA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Permanente is seeking a Laboratory Assistant II to perform venipuncture, manage specimens, and provide excellent customer service at the Duluth facility. The role requires independent work as the only laboratory staff onsite, proficiency with the LIS (Cerner) and HealthConnect/EPIC, and adherence to HIPAA and regional policies.

Essential duties include collecting specimens across age groups, ensuring proper storage and handling, maintaining supplies, and assisting with training new staff.

Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years of experience as a Laboratory Assistant.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the onsite laboratory liaison for the facility: working lab independently.
• Collect laboratory specimens: Perform venipuncture proficiently on all age groups.
• Deliver great customer service: Show care and respect for members at all times, resolving issues or finding someone who can.
• Greet members promptly using good customer service skills and exhibit competency in Cerner and HealthConnect/EPIC.
• Process specimens: Handle STATs and time‑sensitive specimens promptly.
• Be informed/provide information: Complete mandatory training and participate in inspections.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication

Critical thinking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Cerner

HealthConnect/EPIC

Job description

Job Summary

A Laboratory Assistant II is responsible for the proper collection and processing of laboratory specimens under the direction of the Laboratory Manager, Assistant Manager, Laboratory Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, Medical Technologist II, Medical Technologist/Technician and/or Lead Lab Assistant. He/she is expected to be proficient in the use of the laboratory information system and KPHC/EPIC to manage test pending lists/test reports (i.e., filing, distributing, faxing) and to maintain supplies associated with laboratory functions. Must demonstrate excellent customer service skills, teamwork, professionalism, good judgment, critical thinking, and organizational skills. Works independently as the only laboratory staff onsite at assigned facility.

• Serves as the onsite laboratory liaison for the facility: working lab independently. Record temperatures, troubleshooting when out of range, recording action. Equipment maintenance. Assists with training new lab employees and nursing staff.
• Collect laboratory specimens: Perform venipuncture proficiently on all age groups. Escort members for urine specimen collection to the rest room and explain collection procedure. Follow department policies/procedures for specimen collection, including Standard Precautions. Maintain a professional demeanor/appearance per regional policy while collecting specimens. Research and collect appropriate specimen for the test requested. Address members properly, collecting specimens efficiently with compassion. Clearly explain, ensure understanding of collection/storage instructions for patient take home tests. Promptly respond to requests for venipunctures to be performed in areas outside of the lab. Be familiar with emergency codes and be able to execute appropriate emergency procedures. Protect PHI per HIPAA, including shred or properly dispose of all unused labels. Keep work area/ phlebotomy room clean/stocked with in date supplies, complete checklist.
• Deliver great customer service: Show care and respect for members at all times, resolving issues or finding someone who can. Establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external customers. Prioritize work to meet member/customer needs, e.g., update members of any delay or extended wait time, and verify check-in/walk-in for lab. Consistently displays good communication skills.
• Greet members promptly using good customer service skills (make eye contact, smile). Exhibit competency in Cerner, the laboratory information system. Exhibit competency in HealthConnect/EPIC. Maintain a professional demeanor/appearance per regional policy at all times. Use good telephone etiquette (give name, location). No eating, drinking, chewing gum, or applying makeup, no cell phone usage in patient care and testing area. Process all orders/accurately. Monitor the waiting area for members waiting, using the Caution List. Protect PHI per HIPAA. Keep lab area neat, clean, and stocked with in date supplies & patient instructions.
• Process specimens: Process STATS, coagulation, and other time sensitive specimens immediately. Notify technologist when stats are brought into technical area. Follow through with add-on requests. Follow department policies/procedures for processing specimens. Monitor pending functions/list daily to ensure all collected specimens have been processed. Keep accession area clean/stocked with in date necessary/appropriate supplies, complete checklist. Other duties as assigned.
• Be informed/provide information: Complete all mandatory training, policy/procedure review and competency requirements. Assist with preparation of facility lab, participate in internal DHR inspections, being prepared to answer inspectors questions. Attend department and facility meetings as well as applicable in-service education programs. Responsible for reading and complying with information communicated in Laboratory Newsletters, and Cerner pop-ups. Document quality issues and communicate to supervisor.

Job Summary

A Laboratory Assistant II is responsible for the proper collection and processing of laboratory specimens under the direction of the Laboratory Manager, Assistant Manager, Laboratory Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, Medical Technologist II, Medical Technologist/Technician and/or Lead Lab Assistant. He/she is expected to be proficient in the use of the laboratory information system and KPHC/EPIC to manage test pending lists/test reports (i.e., filing, distributing, faxing) and to maintain supplies associated with laboratory functions. Must demonstrate excellent customer service skills, teamwork, professionalism, good judgment, critical thinking, and organizational skills. Works independently as the only laboratory staff onsite at assigned facility.

Essential Responsibilities

• Serves as the onsite laboratory liaison for the facility: working lab independently. Record temperatures, troubleshooting when out of range, recording action. Equipment maintenance. Assists with training new lab employees and nursing staff.
• Collect laboratory specimens: Perform venipuncture proficiently on all age groups. Escort members for urine specimen collection to the rest room and explain collection procedure. Follow department policies/procedures for specimen collection, including Standard Precautions. Maintain a professional demeanor/appearance per regional policy while collecting specimens. Research and collect appropriate specimen for the test requested. Address members properly, collecting specimens efficiently with compassion. Clearly explain, ensure understanding of collection/storage instructions for patient take home tests. Promptly respond to requests for venipunctures to be performed in areas outside of the lab. Be familiar with emergency codes and be able to execute appropriate emergency procedures. Protect PHI per HIPAA, including shred or properly dispose of all unused labels. Keep work area/ phlebotomy room clean/stocked with in date supplies, complete checklist.
• Deliver great customer service: Show care and respect for members at all times, resolving issues or finding someone who can. Establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external customers. Prioritize work to meet member/customer needs, e.g., update members of any delay or extended wait time, and verify check-in/walk-in for lab. Consistently displays good communication skills.
• Greet members promptly using good customer service skills (make eye contact, smile). Exhibit competency in Cerner, the laboratory information system. Exhibit competency in HealthConnect/EPIC. Maintain a professional demeanor/appearance per regional policy at all times. Use good telephone etiquette (give name, location). No eating, drinking, chewing gum, or applying makeup, no cell phone usage in patient care and testing area. Process all orders/accurately. Monitor the waiting area for members waiting, using the Caution List. Protect PHI per HIPAA. Keep lab area neat, clean, and stocked with in date supplies & patient instructions.
• Process specimens: Process STATS, coagulation, and other time sensitive specimens immediately. Notify technologist when stats are brought into technical area. Follow through with add-on requests. Follow department policies/procedures for processing specimens. Monitor pending functions/list daily to ensure all collected specimens have been processed. Keep accession area clean/stocked with in date necessary/appropriate supplies, complete checklist. Other duties as assigned.
• Be informed/provide information: Complete all mandatory training, policy/procedure review and competency requirements. Assist with preparation of facility lab, participate in internal DHR inspections, being prepared to answer inspectors questions. Attend department and facility meetings as well as applicable in-service education programs. Responsible for reading and complying with information communicated in Laboratory Newsletters, and Cerner pop-ups. Document quality issues and communicate to supervisor.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum two (2) years of experience as a Laboratory Assistant.

Education

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• Basic Life Support required at hire.

Additional Requirements

• Must demonstrate good customer service skills.
• Must be able to work independently.
• Must have a history of punctuality.
• Must have a history of good attendance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum one (1) year of customer service experience.
• Completion of a phlebotomy training program.

Notes

• Emp will support the GW Location and surrounding MOBs as needed. 100% travel in the float pool Last minute assignments.

Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.

Primary Location: Georgia,Duluth,Gwinnett Medical Offices I

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Shift: Day

Workdays: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun

Working Hours Start: 08:00 AM

Working Hours End: 08:00 PM

Job Schedule: Full-time

Job Type: Standard

Worker Location: Onsite

Employee Status: Regular

Employee Group/Union Affiliation: GTC|UFCW|Local 1996

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Department: Regional Office - 9 Piedmont - Primary Care - APC Float - 2808

Pay Range: $24.13 - $31.16 / hour

Kaiser Permanente strives to offer a market competitive total rewards package and is committed to pay equity and transparency. The posted pay range is based on possible base salaries for the role and does not reflect the full value of our total rewards package. Actual base pay determined at offer will be based on labor market data, internal alignment, and a candidate's years of relevant work experience, education, certifications, skills, and geographic location.

Travel: Yes, 100 % of the Time

Work Setting: Onsite

Worker location must align with Kaiser Permanente's Authorized States policy.

Kaiser Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.