Clinical Lab Support Tech II

University of Rochester; United States; On-site; USD 28,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Rochester's UR Medicine Microbiology department is seeking staff to perform a range of technical lab tasks. The role involves handling specimens, data entry into LIS and EMR, and ensuring specimen integrity per established procedures.

Candidates should have a high school diploma with related lab experience or relevant certification, and be capable of traveling between testing locations as needed. The position is regular but per diem in schedule with day shifts.

Qualifications

• High school diploma plus 1 year related healthcare or lab experience.
• Successful completion of an approved educational program (e.g., WEMOCO or BOCES).
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Performs technical assignments involving sequences of related operations and processes specimens, following procedures to maintain integrity.
• Trains new or less experienced staff as needed.
• Enters patient demographics and insurance information into LIS and EMR; ensures required fields are complete.
• Follows all procedures and uses judgment to ensure proper practices.
• Travels between testing locations as needed.

Skills

Multitasking

Specimen preparation

Interpreting requisitions

Confidentiality/HIPAA

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma

Related lab certification (WEMOCO/BOCES)

Job description

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location

211 Bailey Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14586

Opening:

Worker Subtype: Regular

Time Type: Time as Reported / Per Diem

Scheduled Weekly Hours: As Scheduled

Department: 500232 Microbiology SMH

Work Shift: UR - Day (United States of America)

Range: UR URCA 205 H

Compensation Range: $20.30 - $27.41

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of technical assignments involving sequences of related operations. Exercises moderate skill, judgment, and a knowledge of the terminology and common procedures and practices of a technical field. Processes information involving laboratory specimens, patient demographics, patient billing information for computing activity, and operating pre-analytical automation. Follows written procedures and uses judgment to ensure appropriate practices are followed. Identifies and processes specimens while maintaining specimen integrity for laboratory testing. Trains new or less experienced staff, as needed. Travels between testing locations, as needed.

Essential Functions

• Enters patient demographic and insurance information efficiently and accurately. Enters information into the electronic medical record. Ensures completion of all required fields. Understands required information on requisitions.
• Follows all procedures.
• Logs patient and test information from requisitions into the Laboratory Information System (LIS). Understands how to utilize UR Medicine Labs Test Menu and verifies that acceptable criteria are met. Understands how to read requisitions from different sources. Recognizes unacceptable specimen criteria and enters the problem test so that proper resolution can be made.
• Receives pre-accessioned specimens into the LIS from varying sources. Reconciles batch manifests and accounts for all specimens. Identifies specimen requirements and documents discrepancies or unacceptable criteria in the LIS.
• Identifies specialized testing requests and prioritizes specimens to meet the requested turnaround time (TAT). Triages samples received through the chute or drop-off window.
• Utilizes judgment, prioritization, and UR Medicine Test Menu to prepare specimens and determine stability, volume, need for centrifugation, and type of aliquotting technique to ensure the integrity of the specimen.
• Utilizes judgment and prioritization to distribute specimens to the appropriate department for prompt analysis.
• Utilizes judgment and discretion to determine specimen priority and volume of samples placed on the line. Maintains proficiency in operational systems and middleware while monitoring operations of each module on the automation line. Determines if manual intervention is required if an error occurs on the automation line.
• Receives phone inquiries from providers, physicians, customers, and internal lab personnel. Assesses the urgency of a situation and determines the appropriate routing. Investigates problem specimens that result in calling the provider for a resolution. Utilizes LIS for inputting complaints, documenting specimen requests, and addressing specimen integrity issues.
• Provides training for other laboratory personnel on all aspects of department-specific work as needed and under the direction of area leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience

High school diploma and 1 year of related experience or certification in a related field such as medical laboratory assisting or successful completion of an approved educational program (e.g WEMOCO or BOCES) required. 12 months related work experience in a health care setting or customer service field, including other lab divisions within UR Medicine such as Client Services, Phlebotomy, Clinical Trials, or similar roles; or 12 months successful performance as temporary employee (e.g. Strong Staffing) required. Or equivalent combination of education and experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to prioritize and maintain focus while performing multiple tasks required.
• Understands specimen preparation, requirements, and operations of equipment required.
• Interpreting requisitions and physicians' scripts required.
• Professional discretion with confidential patient results required.
• Adherence to all Laboratory Safety procedures and HIPAA