Lab Assistant - Core Laboratory

Detroit Medical Center; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 24,796 - 35,817; Part time

Job summary

Detroit Medical Center is seeking a part-time Lab Services professional to support processing and analysis of patient specimens in a fast-paced laboratory environment. You will perform pre- and post-analytical tasks, manage specimens, and ensure data accuracy while maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

You will interact with patients and healthcare staff, adhere to procedures, and contribute to a reliable lab workflow.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent education required.
• Six months experience in medical training, and/or certification in a health care environment or related science field (e.g. Lab Assistant, Medical Assistant, Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomist or Health Science studies).
• Basic studies in medical terminology or a related health science field preferred.
• Customer service experience in a service environment preferred.
• For Phlebotomists—Phlebotomy Certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prioritizes incoming specimens; processes patient specimens in accordance with department safety and OSHA guidelines.
• Ensures stats and other critical tests are accurately and immediately processed.
• Documents specimen problems and refers to supervisor or other lead designee.
• May draw blood samples from patients based on physicians order and in accordance with departmental safety and OSHA guidelines; verifies patients identification and collects insurance information.
• Generates and attaches labels to specimen/blood samples; may perform specimen processing and aliquoting according to pre-established test requirements.
• Ensures specimen integrity by verifying patient identification and ensures the sample submitted is appropriate given the requested test.
• Sorts, racks, and delivers specimens to appropriate testing laboratory.
• Accurately enters and reviews laboratory test data in the laboratory computer system; detects and corrects errors according to laboratory policies and quality standards.
• Communicates with patients to explain procedures and/or answers routine questions from physicians, nurses, or other appropriate healthcare professionals.
• Maintains a neat and clean work area; stocks storage area with supplies and inventories as necessary.
• Cleans glassware, equipment, and small instruments.
• May perform transportation duties; time stamps or computer verifies all laboratory requests; may order tests in the system.
• May conduct routine inspection, maintenance and quality control checks on equipment; reports unusual findings timely to supervisor or lead designee.
• May prepare the patient for and/or administer tolerance tests or other tests specific to assigned area.
• Performs a variety of clerical duties such as answering the telephone, scheduling appointments, maintaining records, or relaying a message to the appropriate personnel.
• Self-monitors their individual work behavior and performance to make improvements. Communicates training and development needs to management.
• Complies with departmental safety policies and procedures and OSHA guidelines, including the use of applicable personal protective equipment.
• Responsible to check organizational communication daily (i.e. Outlook, laboratory software, posted notices, etc.)
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job description

Benefit Statement

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off (PTO)
• Career development and continuing education opportunities
• Health savings accounts, healthcare dependent flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance program, Employee discount program
• Voluntary benefits include pet insurance, legal insurance, accident and critical illness insurance, long-term care, elder childcare, auto, home insurance

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location and is determined by employment status.

Job Description

Under general supervision and according to specific and detailed procedures, accurately performs specific pre-analytical and post-analytical tasks. Processes information by compiling, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data with attention to detail. Interacts with patients and other health care professionals, and responds to routine inquiries. Inspects and maintains work area, instruments, and supplies. Promotes DMC values by demonstrating behaviors supportive of building a High Reliability Culture committed to Safety for Life, Health for Life, Customer Service, Community Welfare, Excellence, Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Innovation, Teamwork and Effective Resource Use.

• Prioritizes incoming specimens; processes patient specimens in accordance with department safety and OSHA guidelines. Ensures stats and other critical tests are accurately and immediately processed. Documents specimen problems and refers to supervisor or other lead designee.
• May draw blood samples from patients based on physicians order and in accordance with departmental safety and OSHA guidelines (e.g. utilizes protective equipment such as gloves, coats, and shields); verifies patients identification and collects insurance information.
• Generates and attaches labels to specimen/blood samples; may perform specimen processing and aliquoting according to pre-established test requirements.
• Ensures specimen integrity by verifying patient identification and ensures the sample submitted is appropriate given the requested test. Sorts, racks, and delivers specimens to appropriate testing laboratory.
• Accurately enters and reviews laboratory test data in the laboratory computer system; detects and corrects errors according to laboratory policies and quality standards.
• Communicates with patients to explain procedures and/or answers routine questions from physicians, nurses, or other appropriate healthcare professionals (e.g. date or time of drawing patients blood or gathering specimens, verifying a request, etc.)
• Maintains a neat and clean work area; stocks storage area with supplies and inventories as necessary. Cleans glassware, equipment, and small instruments.
• May perform transportation duties (e.g. delivers specimens and reports); time stamps or computer verifies all laboratory requests; may order tests in the system.
• May conduct routine inspection, maintenance and quality control checks on equipment (e.g. records temperatures). Reports unusual findings timely to supervisor or lead designee.
• May prepare the patient for and/or administer tolerance tests or other tests specific to assigned area.
• Performs a variety of clerical duties such as answering the telephone, scheduling appointments, maintaining records, or relaying a message to the appropriate personnel.
• Self-monitors their individual work behavior and performance to make improvements. Communicates training and development needs to management.
• Complies with departmental safety policies and procedures and OSHA guidelines, including the use of applicable personal protective equipment.
• Responsible to check organizational communication daily (i.e. Outlook, laboratory software, posted notices, etc.)
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent education required.
• Candidate must have six (6) months experience in medical training, and/or certification in a health care environment or related science field (e.g. Lab Assistant, Medical Assistant, Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomist or Health Science studies).
• Basic studies in medical terminology or a related health science field preferred.
• Customer service experience in a service environment preferred.
• For Phlebotomists—Phlebotomy Certification is preferred.

Facility Description

DMC University Laboratories (DMCUL) is a regional, integrated laboratory system providing services to the eight hospitals of Detroit Medical Center. DMC University Laboratories evolved in 1993 and is comprised of Core Laboratories, Specialty Laboratories, two rapid response hospital laboratories, Centralized Stat Lab, Centralized Blood Bank Lab, and full-service outreach infrastructure which includes patient service centers, remote ambulatory laboratories, marketing staff, courier system and billing department. The DMC University Laboratories service area covers the entire Southeast Michigan market, and is growing at a rapid pace with the following outstanding features: Test menu of over 1,000 tests, which includes high-end specialty tests. Less than 1% of our tests are sent to outside reference laboratories. Provide reference laboratory services to many of the other healthcare systems in southeastern Michigan and several out-of-state facilities.

EEO Statement

Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected status. Tenet will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Tenet participates in the E-Verify program.

Job: Lab Services
Primary Location: Detroit, Michigan
Facility: DMC University Laboratories, Inc.
Job Type: Part Time
Shift Type: Evening
Shift Begin: 2:00 PM Shift End: 10:30 PM