Lab Specimen Processor - Microbiology

Wellstar Health System; Marietta (GA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellstar Health System is seeking a dedicated Laboratory support professional at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, GA. The role focuses on processing specimens, supporting microbiology and blood bank tasks, and providing courteous service to patients and health care providers.

The position requires attention to detail, effective communication, and a commitment to quality as part of a full-time evening shift.

Qualifications

• Experience in clinical laboratory operations preferred.
• Ability to handle specimens and use LIS/HIS systems.
• Strong patient-focused customer service.

Responsibilities

• Specimen Receipt and Processing: check quality, prepare for testing and lab transport.
• Microbiology Processing: assist in specimen handling and media preparation.
• Blood Bank Processing: prep and manage transfusion-related products.
• Customer Service Support: communicate with patients and providers per protocol.

Skills

Lab support

Customer service

Attention to detail

Tools

LIS/HIS systems

Lab automation

Job description

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Work Shift

Evening (United States of America)

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Laboratory Manager or designee, performs technical and non-technical duties within the Laboratory service areas on the hospital campus. Duties included, but not limited to:
HIS/LIS data entry, troubleshooting and laboratory technical support functions
Customer Service for all patients and health care providers.
Specimen receipt and processing including preparing specimens for transport to reference labs, microbiology processing, loading samples on lab automation and preparing samples for the technical staff.
Pre-Analytical and specimen storage robot operation
Assist in multiple areas as workload and staffing changes.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 2:30 pm - 11pm e/o weekend

Location: Kennestone Hospital

Full time

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Specimen Receipt and Processing
  • Check all specimens arriving in the lab for sufficient quality and quantity.
  • Cancel unacceptable specimens after notifying RN and documenting in the LIS.
  • Centrifuge, decant or split specimens as needed; combine orders as needed. Take to the testing areas in a timely fashion. Pull samples as needed for lab pending lists.
  • Measure and aliquot 24 hr urine samples and enter required information in the LIS.
  • Via tracking and pending logs, prepare specimens for transport to reference labs.
  • Check accuracy of outpatient orders and resolve discrepancies, correcting orders as needed.
  • Check physician, drop off specimen and Home Health orders for accuracy in HIS/LIS.
  • Resolve any insurance/billing problems noted with PAS or Outreach staff.
• Microbiology Processing (if Required)
  • a) Performs all aspects of specimen processing including reporting and resolving specimen problems
  • b) Prepares media and supplies for transfer to sister hospitals as needed.
  • c) Serves as expert for ordering and processing Microbiology specimens. Follows up with and is the contact for processors at sister hospitals
  • d) Maintains and sets up organisms for media QC
  • e) Key Operator for the appropriate instrumentation
  • f) Weekly and monthly maintenance of processing equipment (centrifuges, stainer, cytofuge)
  • g) Trains new employees on processing
• Blood Bank Component Processing (if Required)
  • a) Works independently preparing products for transfusion medicine, maintaining blood bank equipment, answering calls related to patient care. Prepares all products using good lab technique and adheres to established procedures.
  • b) Performs all routine preparation and issuing of products per protocol.
  • c) Performs all lab supplementary tasks for maintenance, safety, logs all required activities to track workload, work in progress, pending logs and amended information.
  • d) Effectively communicates all information to appropriate personnel as required by policy and procedure. Participates in shift to shift hand-off communication.
  • e) Uses LIS and HIS when needed to perform job duties, as resources, and to assist in moving specimens within blood bank.
  • f) Perform STAT duties as needed. Handle emergency products efficiently and appropriately
• Customer Service Support
  • Complies with AIDET standards always
  • Communicate effectively and courteously with all outpatients, visitors and hospital personnel as they arrive in the lab or when on patient care areas, making a good, competent impression our priority.
  • Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality always.
  • Receive incoming calls; resolve or route as appropriate.
  • Resolve patient / patient care provider complaints; understand when to refer to supervisor.