Medical Lab Assistant I, Central Processing Laboratory, Winston Campus

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist & Wake Forest University School of Medicine; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic healthcare team in Winston-Salem, where you will play a vital role in specimen processing and laboratory assistance. This position offers an exciting opportunity to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of laboratory operations, impacting patient care directly. You'll be part of a vibrant community that values innovation and excellence in healthcare. With a commitment to quality assurance and safety, you'll have the chance to train new team members and contribute to ongoing education. If you're passionate about making a difference in a collaborative environment, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in laboratory or specimen processing.
• Intermediate knowledge of specimen triage and distribution.

Responsibilities

• Sorts and triages biological specimens for laboratory processing.
• Verifies acceptability requirements for clinical specimens.

Skills

Specimen Processing

Quality Assurance

Laboratory Information Systems

Troubleshooting

Training and Mentoring

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's Degree

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary: Intermediate specimen processing and lab assistant position with responsibilities including receipt of biological specimens into the laboratory, specimen sorting and triage, proper receipt of the specimen into the information system, understanding of orders in the laboratory information system, preparation of samples for analytical testing, and distribution of these specimens to the proper analytical area. Provides guidance to their team to ensure accurate and timely processing of specimens, helps to troubleshoot issues, trains new team members, and assists with Quality Assurance and Safety initiatives.

Position Highlights:

• Full-Time with weekend rotations
• Central Processing Laboratory
• Winston Campus

How You'll Impact Patient Care:

Your responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Obtains and sorts specimens from various delivery sources including the pneumatic tube system, specimen window, and courier services.
• Verifies acceptability requirements are met for clinical laboratory specimens prior to receipt into the laboratory information system.
• Verifies labeling acceptability and specimen stability requirements are met for anatomic pathology specimens.
• Identifies and resolves unacceptable specimens, such as those with labeling, specimen type, or specimen stability issues. If unable to resolve, brings them to the attention of a Medical Laboratory Assistant II or Manager for resolution.
• Receives instrument ready barcoded specimens into the laboratory information system appropriately.
• Identifies and processes orders in the Electronic Medical Record for specimens received without instrument ready barcode labels. Identifies and processes orders for irretrievable body fluid specimens. Identifies and modifies incorrect orders placed based on specific order requirements for various specimen types.
• Receives samples with orders placed in the Outreach laboratory information system appropriately. Enters employee exposure lab orders into the Outreach laboratory information system. Enters orders from a paper requisition into the Electronic Medical Record or Outreach laboratory information system.
• Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of specimen triage and distribution to appropriate laboratory sections.
• Performs specimen processing techniques including centrifugation and aliquotting. Loads clinical laboratory specimens onto the automated testing track.
• Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of troubleshooting of laboratory order and specimen issues.
• Provides coverage of inbound calls for Laboratory Client Services during their off hours. Provides guidance to fellow members in order to ensure accurate and timely processing of specimens. Assists with training and mentoring of new team members and students.
• Assists with Quality Assurance and Safety documentation.
• Completes special projects as assigned.
• Completes a minimum of four continuing education hours outside of annual in-service requirements.

What You Will Need:

• High School diploma or GED equivalent with three years' experience in a laboratory or laboratory specimen processing area required.

Nice To Have (Not Required):

• Associate's degree or higher preferred.
• Medical Laboratory Assistant or Phlebotomist (American Society for Clinical Pathology or American Medical Technologists) certification is preferred.

Where You Will Work:

• Working in healthcare in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a rewarding and dynamic experience. This vibrant city is home to renowned healthcare institutions making it a hub for medical professionals and healthcare innovation.
• As a healthcare professional in Winston-Salem, you'll have the opportunity to provide top-notch care to a diverse and engaged community. The healthcare industry here is characterized by a commitment to patient-centered care, cutting-edge medical research, and a collaborative spirit among healthcare providers.
• Winston-Salem offers a high quality of life with a cost of living that's lower than in many other major cities. You'll find a thriving arts and culture scene, beautiful parks, and a strong sense of community. The city's commitment to healthcare extends beyond the hospital walls, with initiatives aimed at improving public health and wellness.
• Whether you're drawn to clinical care, research, or administration, working in healthcare in Winston-Salem, NC, allows you to be part of a healthcare environment that values excellence, compassion, and the well-being of the community. Join us in contributing to the health and vitality of Winston-Salem, where healthcare is not just a profession but a calling.

About Us

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is a pre-eminent academic health system based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is part of Advocate Health, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the fifth-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist's two main components are an integrated clinical system - anchored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, an 885-bed tertiary-care hospital in Winston-Salem - that includes Brenner Children's Hospital, five community hospitals, more than 300 primary and specialty care locations and more than 2,700 physicians; and Wake Forest School of Medicine, the academic core of Atrium Health Enterprise and a recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research that includes Wake Forest Innovations, a commercialization enterprise focused on advancing health care through new medical technologies and biomedical discovery.

Wake Forest Baptist Health, Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Atrium Health have joined forces in a strategic combination that will enhance care, transform medical education and create economic opportunity for countless lives in North Carolina and beyond. As a part of that combination, the two health systems will be integrating technology and platforms, including our career sites.

This means that although you are applying on the Wake Forest Baptist Health Career Site, you receive communications from the Atrium Health Recruitment Team. Please know that this is an expected process, and thanks in advance for your flexibility.

About the Team

Mission, Vision and Culture Commitments

Mission

To improve health, elevate hope and advance healing - for all.

Vision

To be the first and best choice for care.

Culture Commitments

We create a space where all Belong

We Work as One to make great things happen

We earn Trust in all we do

We Innovate to better the now and create the future

We drive for Excellence - always