Lab Assistant

The University of Kansas Health System; Great Bend (KS); On-site; USD 33,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Health System, Lab Assistant at St Rose Medical Pavilion, provides pre-analytical support in the core laboratory, handling specimens from on- and off-campus locations, ensuring proper labeling and routing to the appropriate department.

You will perform inventory tasks, assist with PPE compliance, and support STAT work while maintaining safety and accuracy in daily operations.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• 1+ year in clinical laboratory specimen processing preferred.
• Experience with hospital LIS data entry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receives specimens into the laboratory via pneumatic tube or hand delivery.
• Ensures proper labeling and positive patient identification for all specimens.
• Distributes specimens to the appropriate department; expedites STAT specimens.
• Performs data entry in the Laboratory Information System per policies.
• Disposes of biohazardous materials following safety procedures.
• Maintains inventory and assists with supply orders and MSDS uploads.

Skills

Lab operations

Specimen handling

Data entry

PPE usage

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Laboratory Information System (LIS)

Pneumatic tube system

Job description

Position Title

Lab Assistant

St Rose Medical Pavilion

Position Summary / Career Interest:

The Lab Assistant is responsible for performing pre-analytical laboratory functions such as specimen receipt from on and off campus locations, either hand-delivered or sent via pneumatic tube; transporting specimens to other sections in the laboratory for testing and communication with other staff, in one or more areas of the clinical laboratory, including: Microbiology, Specimen Collection & Processing Department, and Cytology.
This position performs inventory management functions and other non-specimen, pre-analytical tasks, such as assisting with cleaning non-testing equipment, eyewash safety checks, etc.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Receives specimens into the laboratory either through the pneumatic tube system or hand delivered to the core laboratory for testing.
• Ensures specimens received are properly labeled with positive patient identification, have correct volume and have been centrifuged (if needed) prior to delivery.
• Distributes specimens to the appropriate department. Sorts specimens by priority, location and tube type, and ensures STAT specimens received from the Emergency Department, Codes, Surgery and Intensive Care Units are expedited through the system.
• Performs data entry in Laboratory information system according to hospital and laboratory policies and procedures, as well as compliance requirements Provides patients (and/or care provider) with instructions and necessary materials, if required, for specimen collection.
• Disposes of biohazardous materials, and other potentially hazardous materials according to policy and strictly adheres to safety and infection control procedures
• Communicates specimen problems to Specimen Processing Specialist.
• Communicates non-specimen problems to department supervisor.
• Assists with troubleshooting delays in STAT specimens getting loaded on the automation line or getting delivered to the individual testing department.
• Understands the importance of all pre-analytical variables including, but not limited to: positive patient identification, correct container type, specimen conditions and integrity and how they affect laboratory results.
• Performs inventory management functions for other sections in the Core Laboratory, such as receiving vendor supply orders, verifying accuracy of packing slip with order slip, placing supply and reagent orders in proper location ensuring short dates are used first.
• Maintains chemical inventory for department and ensures that most current MSDS is uploaded into online system as assigned.
• Fills outside supply orders for off-campus clinics and prepares for shipment.
• Uses and wears PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as necessary to perform job safely and minimize risk.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• High School Graduate or GED.

Preferred Education and Experience

• 1 or more years of experience in clinical laboratory specimen processing and hospital/laboratory information systems data entry.

Time Type:

Full time

Important information for you to know as you apply:

• The health system is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally-protected status. See also Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

• The health system provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need to request reasonable accommodations for your disability as you navigate the recruitment process, please let our recruiters know by requesting an Accommodation Request form using this link [e-mail].

• Employment with the health system is contingent upon, among other things, agreeing to the health-system-dispute-resolution-program.pdf and signing the agreement to the DRP.