Lab Assistant

Ochsner Clinic Foundation; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner Clinic Foundation is seeking a dedicated laboratory support professional to perform phlebotomy and specimen processing within a hospital setting. You will handle specimen accessioning, labeling, and timely delivery to testing departments, while performing waived and moderately complex testing and ensuring quality control.

The role requires adherence to regulations and patient privacy standards. Education includes a high school diploma or equivalent, with preferred formal phlebotomy

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Formal phlebotomy training preferred.
• 1 year hospital-based phlebotomy experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform specimen collection following department protocols and meet turnaround time goals.
• Process orders accurately including accessioning and delivery to testing departments; handle add-ons and reconciliation of pending reports.
• Perform waived and moderately complex testing with quality control and document corrective actions as needed.
• Order and stock supplies to maintain par levels; manage printer ribbons and labels as needed.
• Adapt communication and approach to the patient population while respecting privacy.
• Other related duties as required.

Skills

Phlebotomy

Specimen collection

Quality control

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Formal phlebotomy training

Tools

Laboratory Information System (LIS)

Centrifuge operation

Job description

Exceptional care starts with exceptional people.

For us, this is more than a job- it's a calling. It's waking up each day, looking for ways to make a difference with a compassionate, inclusive and talented team. Ochsner empowers you to discover your passion, reach your potential, and Pursue Your Purpose. Exceptional care starts with exceptional people and teams. Together we are leading the way.

This job performs various laboratory functions which support the department which may include phlebotomy; specimen receiving and processing into the LIS; centrifugation; aliquoting, labeling and distribution of specimens to the appropriate test sites. Performs waived and moderately complex procedures; maintain and monitor equipment; and perform appropriate quality control. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Ochsner's discretion.

Education

• Required - High School diploma or equivalent
• Preferred - Formal phlebotomy training

Work Experience

• Required - None
• Preferred - 1 year hospital based phlebotomy experience

Certifications

• Required - Louisiana License as a Laboratory Assistant or Laboratory Assistant Trainee: The Laboratory Assistant Trainee license will only be valid for this position during the first 180 days from the date of hire
• Louisiana License as a Laboratory Assistant must be acquired and submitted to laboratory management within 180 days from date of hire

Job Duties

• Performs specimen collection in accordance with department protocols while meeting established turn around time goals
• Processes orders accurately and timely including specimen accessioning and delivery to testing departments, order transcription, add-on tests, specimen rejection, and reconciliation of pending reports
• Performs waived and moderately complex testing with minimal errors within established time frames; Performs microbiology set ups per protocols . Escalates issues appropriately. Correctly performs and documents quality control and ensures appropriate documentation of corrective action; Promptly and accurately submits performance improvement data including SOS reports
• Orders, inventories and stocks supplies to ensure appropriate par levels are maintained and emergency orders are minimized; changes printer ribbons and labels as needed
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to: respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
• Other related duties as required.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

Complies with the Ochsner Health System Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.

Ochsner is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg co