Laboratory Assistant I

Park Nicollet Health Services; Saint Louis Park (MN); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Park Nicollet Methodist is hiring for a Laboratory Assistant to provide a wide range of lab services including specimen collection, phlebotomy, processing, and reception duties. The role supports efficient workflow and serves as a resource for staff on specimen handling.

Qualified candidates have strong customer service skills, the ability to work independently, and good organizational abilities to meet time-sensitive requests. Experience in a medical setting is preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong customer service skills and ability to work independently.
• Ability to meet time-sensitive requests and adapt to short notice.
• Knowledge of age-related growth and development to provide safe service.
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Performs laboratory specimen processing and phlebotomy using standard techniques.
• Processes registration, reception duties, and ordering per policy.
• Delivers specimens to appropriate departments and maintains workflow efficiency.
• Answers questions from hospital staff about specimen handling and processing.

Skills

Customer service

Independent work

Problem solving

Time management

Organizational skills

Age-appropriate care

Education

Applied science degree desirable

1 year hospital experience desirable

ASCP certification (phlebotomy) preferred

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Park Nicollet Methodist is hiring for a Laboratory Assistant.

POSITION SUMMARY STATEMENT

The Lab Assistant will provide a wide range of laboratory services including specimen collection, client service and reception desk duties, ordering/scheduling/billing functions, laboratory testing, phlebotomy, dispatching, specimen processing, centrifuging, delivery of specimens to appropriate lab/department and assuring proper efficiency and workflow management. Position will also serve as a resource for questions from hospital and clinic staff regarding specimen handling and processing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination: NA
• Licensure/ Registration/ Certification: NA
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Strong customer service skills, ability to work independently, good problem‑solving skills.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of age‑related growth and development principles necessary to provide appropriate service and assure safety of patients.
  • Demonstrates strong organizational skills with the ability to meet time sensitive customer requests and changes on short notice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education, Experience or Equivalent Combination:
  • Experience in a medical related field or an applied science degree is desirable.
  • One year hospital experience preferred.
• Licensure/ Registration/ Certification:
  • ASCP certification for phlebotomy preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • NA

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

General

• Models and promotes the Head + Heart, Together behaviors. Provides feedback to staff and manager, including recognition and correction.
• Serves as a PNHS customer liaison and champion for the Laboratory. Promotes a positive response to questions and problem resolution.
• Communicates effectively with lab teams through email, huddles, rounding and meetings.
• Interacts with the Supervisors and Team Leads daily to report issues and concerns involving Lab Assistants and customers.
• Attends and/or completes all assigned PNHS mandatory training and Laboratory specific competency testing as scheduled.
• Participates in completion of performance appraisals using the automated electronic system to provide input for self, peers, staff, and leaders.
• Pathway team members must have a valid driver’s license and be able to drive to patient or client locations as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Lab Assistant I
• Processes laboratory specimens, which may include centrifuging, pipetting, labeling, and aliquoting using laboratory equipment and methods. The product is a specimen that is ready for testing and is distributed to the correct testing area.
• Performs patient phlebotomy on patients of all ages in accordance with laboratory policy, verifying that correct patient identification is carried out through all stages of sample collection and processing.
• Performs patient reception and registration duties, along with ordering, in accordance with written policies and procedures.
• Uses pneumatic tube system for specimen receipt and blood component distribution.
• Deliver specimens to appropriate departments within the lab and load specimens onto automated sample management systems.
• Takes responsibility to monitor, identify, and resolve any possible conflicts in phlebotomy and specimen processing services and/or refer conflicts to direct supervisor.
• Performs a limited menu of waived laboratory tests.
• Job description rankings/percentages are intended to reflect normal averages over an extended period of time, and are subject to daily variances. Quality and efficiency standards should at no time be compromised to meet the average expectations expressed above. Job descriptions are subject to change to accommodate organization or department needs.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS

VALUES

• Excellence: We strive for the best results and always look for ways to improve.
• Compassion: We care and show empathy and respect for each person.
• Partnership: We are strongest when we work together and with those we serve.
• Integrity: We are open and honest, and we keep our commitments.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Complies with safety instructions, observe safe work practices, provides input on safety issues, and promotes a safe work environment.
• Maintains regular and timely attendance.
• Protects confidentiality.
• Demonstrates participation in and support of the organization's Corporate Integrity Program by participating in compliance‑related education and training and complying with the organization's policies and procedures.
• Timely completion of all mandatory education and organizational requirements (i.e., licensure/certification, Employee Health and Wellness requirements, annual training, etc.).

POPULATION SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Yes

No

DOES THIS EMPLOYEE HAVE DIRECT PATIENT CONTACT?

x

Departments will need to determine the appropriate competencies in their areas for their specific patient populations documented in the essential duties section.

EXAMPLES OF ITEMS THAT CAN BE INCLUDED ARE:

• Identifies expected outcomes for a plan individualized to the patient or situation specific to the needs of the population served.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, and team members.
• Integrates practices that supports patient safety, acknowledges variations in populations served.
• Anticipates the needs of the population served as well as the unique characteristics of the communities served.
• Anticipates the needs of the population in providing culturally responsive care and develops an individualized plan for patients and families.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

Please describe the degree to which the position directs the work of others or coordinates workflow of a clinic, department, or functional area. If applicable, indicate the number of people and the titles for which this position directly and/or indirectly directs the work of others or coordinates workflow.

NA

CRITICAL JOB DEMANDS

Section 1: Place an “X” next to ONE of the terms that best describes the frequency for each of the Critical Demands.

N/A 0%

Rare 1-5% (Up to a 1/2 hour)

Occa 6-33% (1/2 hour to 3 hours)

Freq 34-66% (3 to 5½ hours)

Cont 67-100% (5½ to 8 hours)

Standing – Remaining on one's feet in an upright position at a work station without moving about.

Walking – Moving about on foot.

Sitting – Remaining in a seated position.

Squatting – Assuming or maintaining a crouching position with the knees bent.

Reaching – Stretching out or extending to touch or grasp.

Lifting – Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling).

Carrying – Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder.

Pushing/Pulling – Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away/towards from the force.

Handling/Fingering – (includes typing, computer work, gripping, grasping, and pinching)

Section 2: Place an “X” next to ONE of the terms that best describes the Strength Rating for this job classification which is expressed by one of five terms: Sedentary, Light, Medium, Heavy, and Very Heavy.

Sedentary – Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Light – Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (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 controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Medium – 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. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Heavy – Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.

Very Heavy – Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work.

Note: During any patient handling task, if any caregiver is required to lift more than 35 lbs. of a patient’s weight, assistive transfer devices should be used for the transfer.

HAZARD ASSESSMENT FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Notice: Instructions for implementation are omitted in this excerpt for brevity.

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