Clinical Lab Assistant - Phlebotomist - UNM Cancer Center, (1554)

TriCore Reference Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 24,796 - 30,307; Part time

Job summary

TriCore Reference Laboratories is seeking a Clinical Lab Assistant - Phlebotomist for the UNM Cancer Center. The role supports patient care through phlebotomy and a range of lab duties with on-site supervision and potential paid apprenticeships for less experienced candidates.

Hours are scheduled Monday to Friday with additional shifts as needed. Immunization and driving requirements apply, and multiple modalities may be performed as determined by the department leadership.

Qualifications

• H.S. diploma or equivalent required.
• PBT (ASCP) or equivalent certification preferred.
• Completion of a relevant CLA program preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs duties in a professional and courteous manner.
• Maintains supplies and inventory necessary to perform departmental functions.
• Observe students and/or new staff as needed.
• Exhibits basic problem-solving skills to ensure patient care service levels.
• Responsible for on-call responsibilities during scheduled hours by location.
• Demonstrates effective telephone and verbal communication skills.
• Maintains confidentiality of information.
• Participates in on-call coverage and holidays/weekends as needed.
• Performs clerical functions and documentation when required.

Skills

Professional communication

Basic PC skills

On-call responsibilities

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

PBT (ASCP) or equivalent certification

Clinical Lab Assistant program completion

Job description

Schedule: Monday - Friday 0700-1100 with holidays and other shifts as needed.

Location: UNM Cancer Center

Salary/Hourly: Hourly Position

Clinical Lab Assistant - Phlebotomist - UNM Cancer Center, (1554)

JOB SUMMARY: The Clinical Lab Assistant Phlebotomist is able to work independently and with minimal supervision and/or oversight. Successful candidates have the experience and skillset to perform one or more identified modalities. Compensation is dependent on the number of modalities performed. Candidates without experience may be considered for a paid apprenticeship level. Regular in‑person attendance during scheduled work hours is essential.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Performs duties in a professional and courteous manner.
2. Maintains supplies and inventory necessary to perform departmental functions.
3. Observe students and/or new staff as needed.
4. Exhibit basic problem‑solving skills to ensure exceptional customer and patient care service levels.
5. Responsible for hospital communication responsibilities as assigned, including on‑call responsibilities during scheduled hours (cell phone) by location.
6. Demonstrates effective telephone and verbal communication skills.
7. Actively demonstrates professional judgment when dealing with clients, patients and co‑workers.
8. Perform clerical functions as needed by the department, including, but not limited to documenting critical communication such as call‑ins in the absence of a supervisor.
9. Responsible for maintaining levels of confidentiality associated with position and access to personal and confidential information.
10. Participate in and maintain coverage levels for on call as needed/required to meet service levels.
11. Participate in coverage for holidays, evenings, and weekends as needed or required.
12. Basic PC skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM EDUCATION:

• H.S. diploma or equivalent.

PREFERRED:

• PBT (ASCP) or equivalent certification.
• Completion of a relevant Clinical Lab Assistant or comparable program.

IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS:

Prove Immunity to Hepatitis B, or be immunized, or sign a waiver refusing Hepatitis immunization. Provide documentation of a PPD test conducted not more than 90 days prior to date of hire, or have a PPD test conducted through TriCore.

In departments/locations with direct patient contact: Prove immunity or be eligible to receive rubella, rubeola and varicella immunization.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Valid driver's license. Good driving record. Must be insurable by lab insurance carrier as required by location.
2. Eligible to work in a health care facility as provided by the New Mexico Caregivers Criminal History Screening Act or other applicable law.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

• Candidates with no training or experience may be considered for an apprenticeship.
• Selected candidates will be placed into CLA Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 based on the number of modalities (listed below) completed on a regular basis. Assigned modalities are determined by the department leadership.

Modalities:

1. Check‑in and Order Entry/Reconciliation – (Modality per system – Clinical, Anatomic, Research, Referral Testing) Including, but not limited to:
   • Identifying patient in system
   • Reconciling electronic orders
   • Manual Entry when necessary
   • Insurance/payment when necessary
2. General Phlebotomy (ages 10 and above) includes vacutainer, butterfly and syringe collections.
3. Special Collections and/or external shipping certification. Special Collections include but are not limited to arterial blood gas, pediatric and infant draws, sweat collection, breath collections, occult health/drug screen collections, MRSA and Covid collections, therapeutic phlebotomies).
4. Assisting provider‑performed procedures, including but not limited to FNA, Bone Marrow, EBUS, Bronchial lavage.
5. Specimen Processing (includes specimen receipt, specimen sorting, specimen delivery/loading, decanting and retrieval for send‑out testing and surgical sample triage, specimen storage and disposal functions).
6. Non‑conformity investigation/Problem Resolution (examples Problem Desk aka Portal, TLC, NCE responses, client service) includes proper documentation.
7. Lab Equipment Maintenance and/or support (superuser), to include chemical and biohazard waste management for non‑testing instrumentation (cryostats and stainline).
8. Sample Testing (waived to moderate) including appropriate instrument maintenance, including biohazard disposal, and QC.
   • Reviews results to see if they are within defined parameters. Identifies and resolves technical specimen problems. Report out results.
   • Identifies, researches and resolves specimen, QC, or instrument problems.
9. Consistent training and/or assisting in competency assessments of modalities to employee and/or students with completing initial training documentation. This may include N95 FIT testing.
10. Department specific skilled technical assistance:
    • BB‑Product prep: irradiating units, thaw cryo and plasma, splitting plasma and platelets
    • Infectious Disease – Planting patient specimens that includes: Tissue and Bone processing (grinding and cutting), Plate inoculation, Knowledge of anaerobic versus aerobic incubation requirements
    • Genetics and Cytometry – Nucleic acid extraction, cell culture and harvesting, renal transplant kit oversight and patient testing scheduling and monitoring
    • Histology and Cytology – Cytology specimen processing, slide preparation and staining, Histology specimen processing, including bone marrow grossing and knowledge of processing for each tissue type.
    • TRI Honest Broker
11. Department specific clerical or support functions:
    • Organization of AP/HP cases and slide distribution
    • FFPE block and slide filing and material retrieval
    • Consult case management (ordering, material retrieval, billing, client on the fly, report upload)
    • Client material return
    • Unit allocation & issue: cryo, plasma, platelet, bone and tissue
12. Skilled Inventory management: (ordering, receiving, monitoring par levels, end of month reconciliations, includes blood supply, reagents, supplies TriBuy training and competency)

TriCore is New Mexico’s largest laboratory, employing more than 1,400 individuals who serve in a broad range of positions. We are dedicated to improving the quality of care for our communities, and also our employees. We foster a culture of integrity, are dedicated to excellence, and are looking for passionate individuals with a desire to have an impact in patient care, the core of our strategy. We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurances, 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching, PTO, and paid holidays, as well as opportunities for continuous learning, education assistance, wellness programs, career advancement, and the ability to share in our genuine commitment to the health of our communities. We offer a variety of shifts at multiple locations.