Clinical Lab Assistant 1 at Kaiser Permanente Clinic

Renown Health; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Renown Health in Reno is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to perform basic lab support tasks, including specimen collection, labeling, data entry, and patient data gathering under supervision. The role supports specimen processing, LIS use, and supply management in a 24/7 clinical laboratory environment.

The ideal candidate has phlebotomy experience, an English-literate background, and a Nevada license or eligibility.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required and English literacy must be sufficient to perform duties safely.
• General laboratory experience or phlebotomy experience is preferred.
• Requires current State of Nevada license for Laboratory Assistant or eligibility during training period.
• Valid Nevada or California driver’s license and ability to meet DMV criteria.
• Certifications: AMT, ASCP, ACA, NCCT, NHA, NPA.
• Completion of EKG monitor class within 4 months of hire (where applicable).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, Word) and ability to complete online training.

Responsibilities

• Collect blood specimens including venipuncture and capillary collections in a clinical setting.
• Receive, process, store, and deliver samples; prepare shipments for reference labs.
• Operate Lab Information System for test status, registration, scheduling, and order entry.
• Gather patient demographics, insurance, and clinical data for accurate records and reimbursement.
• Order, receive, and manage inventory for the clinical lab.
• Answer phones and provide general customer support.
• Drive company vehicles to provide lab services as needed.
• Set up microbiology culture and assist with EKGs and Histology tasks.

Skills

Phlebotomy

Laboratory experience

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

Word

Job description

Position Purpose

To perform basic laboratory support duties including specimen collection, labeling, and data entry under direct supervision.

Nature and Scope

The primary responsibility for this position will vary and may include any (or a combination of all) of the following:

1. Collect Blood Specimens: Proficiently collects blood specimens in a timely manner as specified by laboratory policies and procedures in accordance with federal and state regulations. Technical proficiency includes but not limited to venipuncture, capillary, arterial collections, including for pediatric and critical care patients.
2. Sample Processing: Receive, prepare, process, store, and deliver samples to appropriate departments. Prepare shipments for reference labs.
3. Lab Information System: Use the system to check test status and assist nursing personnel. Handle registration, scheduling, order entry, and reception functions.
4. Healthcare Access: Expedites and provides healthcare access through the accurate gathering of demographic, sponsorship or guardian data, insurance, clinical, financial, and statistical information from a variety of sources, i.e. patients, patient's families, providers, provider office staff, county and/or governmental agencies, CMS, FMS, etc. to gather and verify patient information, insurance details, and ensure reimbursement for services.
5. Supply Management: Order, receive, and manage inventory for the clinical lab.
6. Support Tasks: Answer phones, collect non-blood specimens, perform special procedures, and provide customer support.
7. Additional Duties: Drive company vehicles for lab services, perform microbiology culture setups, EKGs, and assist in Histology.
8. Cost-Center Specific Duties:
9. Driving: You may need to drive company vehicles to provide lab services to Renown Health patients (200295 and 200288).
10. Microbiology: Set up and stain microbiology cultures (200287 only).
11. EKGs: Perform twelve-lead EKGs (400288 only).
12. Histology Support: Assist with office work and minimal bench tasks in Histology (200290 only).
13. 24/7 Support: Be prepared to work in a 24/7 operation, aiding in patient diagnosis and treatment. You should be technically proficient in stressful situations like trauma or code blue.

Renown Health Clinical Laboratory is a 24-hour/7-days a week operation, providing laboratory services to an inpatient and outpatient population of all ages.

This position is challenged to diagnose and treat human responses to health problems. The incumbent must provide optimal patient care through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients and families.

The major challenge in this position is to perform and ensure quality and timely specimen collection, specimen transport, specimen preparation, computer entry, reception, telephone answering, report handling, and many other miscellaneous clerical duties. Customer service expectations are surpassed through appropriate use of interpersonal skills, organization of workload, observation of all policies, control procedures, proper patient identification, and proper attention to personal appearance. Patient issues (concerns, problems, requests) must be clearly reported to nursing and/or medical staff through direct communication.

Must be able to communicate with a diverse patient population and their family when performing bedside procedures. Must be able to always approach and interact with customers in an age-appropriate manner. Positive customer service behaviors are always expected.

Must be knowledgeable of and observe all safety requirements in a laboratory and hospital. A comprehensive knowledge must be maintained in all procedures for which performance is required. Competency in work‑related skills must be demonstrated annually.

The incumbent uses professionalism and diplomacy with interacting with patients of all ages, their families, physicians, physician office staff and other health care providers in the accurate collecting of demographic, clinical, and financial information in person or via telephone interviews.

This position does provide patient care.

Disclaimer

The foregoing description is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Minimum Qualifications

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

• Education: Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform job duties safely and effectively. High School Diploma or GED
• Experience: General laboratory experience or phlebotomy experience is preferred.
• License(s): Requires current State of Nevada license for Laboratory Assistant or an application must be submitted during the six‑month interim/training period. Failure to apply for and/or receive a license by the seventh month will result in termination. Incumbent may also possess an active Point of Care licensure, which would take the place of a State of Nevada license for Laboratory Assistant.
• Valid State of Nevada or California driver's license and ability to pass Renown Health's Department of Motor Vehicle Report criteria. (Does not apply for cost centers 105701, 200287, 200289, 200290, 200295- Roseview SDS only, 400288, 400289)
• Certification(s):
  • (a) The American Medical Technologists (AMT)
  • (b) The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
  • (c) The American Certification Agency for Healthcare Professionals (ACA)
  • (d) The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
  • (e) The National Healthcare Association (NHA)
  • (f) The National Phlebotomy Association (NPA)
• Completion of EKG monitor class within 4 months of hire (400288 only).
• Computer / Typing: Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and Word and have the ability to use the computer to complete online learning requirements for job‑specific competencies, access online forms and policies, complete online benefits enrollment, etc.