Laboratory Assistant

HCA Florida West Hospital; Pensacola (FL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan with employer match

Tuition assistance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

HCA Florida West Hospital is seeking a Laboratory Assistant / Lab Assistant / Phlebotomist to join the clinical team in Pensacola, FL. The role includes specimen collection, processing, registration, and clerical support under supervision.

Responsibilities include venipuncture/finger sticks, LIS entry, QA-related tasks, and ensuring accurate specimen labeling and timely processing for referrals.

Qualifications

• Teamwork and customer service are essential in a fast-paced lab environment.
• Proficient communication with staff, physicians, and patients.
• Experience with registration, clerical duties, and specimen processing preferred.
• Awareness of privacy and security policies required.
• Ability to follow safety policies and procedures and participate in annual training.

Responsibilities

• Perform specimen collection and processing per procedures.
• Demonstrate venipuncture and finger-stick proficiency across age groups.
• Document specimen collection and test orders accurately.
• Educate patients/families about collection procedures.
• Manage clerical tasks including phones, faxing, and courier communications.
• Operate LIS and ensure proper specimen labeling and tracking.
• Prepare specimens for transport and referral testing within turnaround times.
• Participate in QA and maintenance as assigned.
• Troubleshoot specimen problems and communicate with teams.
• Maintain clean work area and adhere to safety regulations.

Skills

Teamwork

Customer service

Communication

Disaster readiness

Privacy & Security awareness

Prioritization

Clerical duties

Education

Vocational/Technical degree (Preferred)

1-3 years clinical lab experience

Job description

HCA Florida West Hospital 8383 North Davis Highway Pensacola, FL 32514

Experience the HCA Healthcare difference where colleagues are trusted, valued members of our healthcare team. Grow your career with an organization committed to delivering respectful, compassionate care, and where the unique and intrinsic worth of each individual is recognized.

Laboratory Assistant

Lab Assistant / Phlebotomist

performs any three of the following non-technical functions under the supervision of the department supervisor, manager or director. They collect specimens, process specimens, submit and monitor specimens submitted to the referral laboratories and patient registration. Performs duties consistent with written procedures and regulatory requirements. Supports the department in achieving department goals for service, quality, regulatory compliance, financial performance, patient satisfaction, healthy work environment, and integration of intra and inter-departmental activities.

What you will do in this role:

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of specimen collection and testing requirements as well as specimen rejection criteria
• Demonstrates proficiency in venipunctures and/or finger sticks on pediatric, neonatal, adults and geriatric patients 3. Demonstrates proficiency in heel sticks on infants (as patient population requires)
• Utilizes supplies appropriately
• Follows established procedures for patient identification and specimen collection-based test orders
• Completes appropriate specimen collection documentation
• Educates patient and/or family regarding specimen collection procedures prior to obtaining specimen
• Uses computer information system relative to job functions
• Responsible for clerical duties (i.e., faxing, phones, pneumatic tube system, reports)
• Demonstrates ability to deal with priorities first and plans for completion of duties
• Reviews Outstanding Specimen Report (OSR) and pending specimen collections/accessioning issues; takes action as appropriate
• Receives laboratory specimens into the laboratory information system
• Performs registration and order entry procedures, as requested, with accuracy, and in a timely manner
• Labels specimens and aliquots according to established protocols and according to testing ordered
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of specimen collection and testing requirements as well as specimen rejection criteria
• Centrifuges and aliquots specimens appropriately, based on specimen type and tests ordered.
• Prepares specimens to be ready for courier pick-up and includes special instructions as requested by physician orders
• Discards laboratory specimens according to established schedule
• Performs periodic preventive maintenance and quality assurance procedures as assigned
• Collects chain-of-custody drug collections according to establish policy (as laboratory may require)
• Keeps appropriate records/documentation relating to specimen problems and other problems encountered, takes corrective action as necessary to ensure validity and accuracy of testing
• Cleans the area upon emergency spills of specimens
• Assesses specimen requirements for referral testing and troubleshoots any specimen requirement and/or referral testing specimen or order entry issues.
• Processes, sorts, and prepares specimens for submission to referral laboratories for testing in accordance with specimen requirements for tests ordered.
• Regularly monitors and reviews the status of referred testing to assure that results are received and made available to physicians within established turnaround times.
• Reviews Outstanding Specimen Report (OSR) and pending referral testing issues; takes action as appropriate
• Communicates and troubleshoots any problem specimens in a timely manner.

What Qualifications you will need:

• Ability to interact with co-workers in a team environment, promoting a harmonious and cooperative working environment.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service practices in all interactions.
• Effectively communicate with all personnel to exchange accurate and timely technical information.
• May assist in communication to customers, floors, physicians regarding problem and/or pending specimens.
• Requires 2 + years’ experience performing registration, clerical duties, and sending out of specimen processing 6. Follows safety policies and procedures
• Protects sensitive and confidential information by actively participating in the Privacy & Security Awareness program
• Adheres to company policies and standards regarding security
• Completes assigned courses and training on an annual basis
• Available to work during disasters

Education & Experience

• Vocational/Technical Degree Preferred
• 1-3 years in a clinical laboratory setting preferred

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE:

• Phlebotomy, Medical Assistant, Paramedic or EMT certification preferred

Benefits

HCA Florida West Hospital, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

• Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
• Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
• Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
• Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
• Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

HCA Florida West Hospital is a 515-bed facility. We are proud to be the area's leading health care facility in quality outcomes performance. We are the area's first Accredited Chest Pain Center and Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. Our hospital is the first in the state of Florida to have earned Atrial Fibrillation with Electrophysiology Services Accreditation. We have an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. We provide a specialized Emergency Department tailored to the needs of seniors and children. We have a Kid’s ER dedicated to our youngest patients. We are the area’s only comprehensive CARF-accredited physical rehabilitation hospital. Our facility has a behavioral health facility. We offer services including cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, oncology, and orthopedics. Other services that we offer include robotic-assisted surgery, critical care, and neurology/neurosurgery. We also offer urology, gastroenterology, obstetrics, and pulmonary and rehabilitative medicine.

HCA Healthcare has been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute more than ten times. In recent years, HCA Healthcare spent an estimated $3.7 billion in cost for the delivery of charitable care, uninsured discounts, and other uncompensated expenses.

“There is so much good to do in the world and so many different ways to do it.”- Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr.

HCA Healthcare Co-Founder

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.