Laboratory Assistant II

Orlando Health, Inc.; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Orlando Health, Inc. is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to perform specimen receiving and processing, register patients, and enter orders in the laboratory information system.

The role includes centrifuging, labeling, aliquoting samples, delivering them to test sites, and storing specimens according to hospital procedures. Additionally, the position requires maintaining equipment and supplies, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, and assisting with staff training.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency.
• Two years of laboratory or patient care experience. Current student pursuing higher degree or certification in a science field may substitute for up to two years of required experience.

Responsibilities

• Register patients and enter orders in the computer system.
• Receive and process specimens, centrifuge, label, and aliquot samples.
• Deliver specimens to test sites and store samples appropriately.
• Maintain equipment and department supplies; follow infection control practices.
• Provide excellent customer service and respond to inquiries.
• Train staff as required and assist with charting and report distribution.
• Adhere to regulatory and accrediting requirements; maintain attendance per Orlando Health policies.

Skills

Patient registration

Specimen processing

Laboratory IT systems

Phlebotomy

Customer service

Regulatory compliance

Staff training

Downtime procedures

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Position Summary

The Laboratory Assistant performs specimen receiving and processing duties, registers patients, enters orders in the computer system, centrifuge specimens, labels and aliquot samples, delivers to test site, stores samples, slides, blocks, etc.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Provides support in the areas of patient registration, third party reimbursement requirements and regulations.
• Maintains department supplies and customer supply orders.
• Demonstrates knowledge of specimen collection and handling requirements.
• Performs all departmental functions and has a thorough knowledge of hospital and laboratory information systems, to include downtime functions, specimen processing, transportation, billing, reference testing and scheduling.
• Maintains positive customer service relationships at all times and proactively responds to customer service issues.
• Processes pathology specimens as appropriate.
• Trains staff as required.
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the department.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work cooperatively with all team members and respond to customer phone calls.
• Assist in maintaining and cleaning of laboratory equipment, i.e., refrigerators, centrifuges.
• Follows the established policies and procedures to meet regulatory and accrediting agency requirements.
• Maintains reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with Orlando Health policies, the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Maintains compliance with all Orlando Health policies and procedures.

Other Related Functions

• Responsible for maintaining an active role in the laboratory Quality Improvement Program.
• Maximizes productivity, customer satisfaction and profitability.
• Documents specimen quality issues.
• Adheres to infection control and safety practices and keeps a clean and organized work area.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient record, hospital and departmental matters at all times.
• Performs filing of reports and requisitions.
• Assists with charting and report distribution via telephone, fax, or as appropriate.
• Reads and understands a Physician's laboratory test order.
• Schedules Pathologists, Histotechnicians or Transportation Reps as needed.
• Assists with bone marrow collection and processing.
• May perform phlebotomy as necessary (must have approved competency on file before completing).

Qualifications

Education/Training

High School Diploma or GED equivalency

Licensure/Certification

None.

Experience

Two (2) years of laboratory experience or patient care experience. Current student seeking higher educational degree or certification ina science field, such as nursing, medical technology, pre-med, or related clinical field may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.