LABORATORY ASSISTANT

Care Resource; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Care Resource in Fort Lauderdale, FL is seeking a Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomy technician to verify patient identities, perform venipuncture and collect specimens, and prepare them for in‑house testing. The role includes clerical tasks, labeling, and ensuring sample integrity while following HIPAA and CLIA guidelines.

You will interact with providers, manage specimen documentation, and assist with QA, training, and inventory.

Qualifications

• 2 years: Laboratory activities at a medical practice or community health center.
• OSHA Certification is required.
• Biomedical Waste Cert is required.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Verify patient identifiers and collect blood samples using venipuncture, fingersticks, or heel sticks.
• Prepare specimens for inhouse testing and ensure proper labeling and labeling accuracy.
• Document and scan venipuncture paperwork; ensure lab requisitions in EHR are accurate.
• Maintain specimen integrity, follow aseptic technique, and uphold HIPAA and CLIA standards.

Skills

Venipuncture

Specimen labeling

Quality control

HIPAA compliance

Communication

Education

High School or better

Job description

• Verifies patient by confirming two (2) patient identifiers (i.e. Name & Date of Birth).
• Performs clinical intake prior to lab procedures.
• Complete venipuncture questionnaire with patient prior to obtaining blood samples.
• Scan all venipuncture documents within 24 hours of blood draw.
• Verifies lab requisitions placed in Electronic Health Record (EHR) by providers.
• Identify and separate frozen orders from master requisition and create new accession (frozen) where applicable.
• Explain venipuncture procedure to patient.
• Select blood sample collection tubes and use in appropriate order of draw.
• Obtain blood sample(s) by performing venipunctures, fingersticks, heel sticks or PKUs on infants/newborn.
• Ensure accuracy of preprinted requisitions and labels prior to and post collections by PCAs/Medical Support staff.
• Ensure accurate labeling of all specimens delivered to the Lab by PCAs/Medical Support staff.
• Ensure PCAs/Support staff accurately identifiy collected specimens by clearly initialing all labels attached to tubes/containers.
• Ensure referring provider matches ordering provider.
• Ensure the application of venipuncture charges to system
• Maintain specimen integrity by using aseptic technique, following department procedures, observing isolation procedures.
• Confirm timely collection of specimens placed outside in after-hours boxes for Quest/LabCorp. Check boxes every morning.
• Performs all CLIA waived inhouse testing as requested by providers (With the exception of urine drug screens).
• Maintain credibility of inhouse waived testing result(s) by performing recommended quality controls
• Maintain quality results by following department protocol/procedures and accurately recording results in quality-control log;
• Scrub Lab schedule the day prior to lab appointments for patients falling within the recommended age group for “FIT Test”, offer and perform on their arrival.
• Introduce any seasonal vaccines, i.e., influenza to patients with lab appointment, then task assigned PCA for administration.

CLERICAL/ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

• Check Lab schedules to ensure Provider(s) order the day prior to patient(s) appointment
• Maintain inventory control of laboratory supplies & equipment
• Generate and resolve TNP/TIQ reports daily
• Check Laboratory inventory and discard expired items.
• Clean and maintain work area and all laboratory equipment and supplies
• Organize and prioritize work for timely completion
• Ensure updated calibration of all lab equipment

Quality Assurance/Compliance

• Ensures medical laboratory operations fully comply with Agency and HIPAA requirements.
• Maintain strict level of confidentiality relating to laboratory results and records
• Comply with professional standards, health center policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and JCAHO standards.
• Ensure online trainings are current as required (i.e. MyLearningPointe and other trainings).
• Assists supervisor in the training of new staff (peers).
• Ensure the timely submission of monthly QA assessments to Laboratory Compliance Manager.

Culture of Service: 3 C’s

Compassion

Greets internal or external customers (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) with courtesy, making eye contact, responding with a proper tone and nonverbal language.

Listens to the internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) attentively, reassuring and understanding of the request and providing appropriate options or resolutions.

Competency

Provides services required by following established protocols and when needed, procure additional help to answer questions to ensure appropriate services are delivered

Commitment

Takes initiative and anticipates internal or external customer needs by engaging them in the process and following up as needed

Prioritize internal or external customer (i.e. patient, client, staff, vendor) requests to ensure the prompt and effective response is provided

Safety

Ensures proper handwashing according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Understands and appropriately acts upon the assigned role in Emergency Code System.

Understands and performs assigned roles in the organization’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).

Contact Responsibility

The responsibility for external contacts is frequent and important.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the following physical and sensory activities: constant standing, talking in person, talking on the phone, hearing/ visual acuity and exposure to blood borne pathogens and hazardous materials. Frequent, walking, sitting and bending. Work is performed in office and laboratory setting.

Other

Participates in health center developmental activities as requested.

Other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

No . Own transportation required

Qualifications

Skills

Required

Achievement Expert

Caring Expert

Checking for Accuracy Expert

Expert

Comforting Expert

Commitment Expert

Compassion Expert

Conceptual Thinking Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Cooperation Expert

Coordination Expert

Expert

Critical thinking Expert

Customer Service Expert

Documentation Expert

Integrity Expert

Interpersonal Skills Expert

Microsoft Office Expert

Multitasking Expert

Expert

Expert

Problem solving Expert

Quick Thinking Expert

Self-motivation Expert

Telephone Expert

Verbal Communication Expert

Expert

Preferred

Advanced

Advanced

Behaviors

Preferred

Team Player : Works well as a member of a group

Detail Oriented : Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Preferred

Ability to Make an Impact : Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Self-Starter : Inspired to perform without outside help

Education

Required

High School or better.

Technical/other training or better.

Experience

Required

2 years: Working in laboratory activities at a medical practice or community health center are required

Licenses & Certifications

Required

OSHA Certification

Biomedical Waste Cert

Equal Opportunity Employer
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