Medical Laboratory Assistant

Boston Medical Center; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston Medical Center is seeking a Medical Laboratory Assistant for the Blood Bank to help manage blood product inventory across a three-hospital system. The role involves receiving, irradiating, and shipping products, coordinating paperwork, and supporting quality assurance processes.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED (associates or bachelor’s in clinical science preferred) and at least 2 years in a clinical lab.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor in clinical science preferred.
• Strong laboratory knowledge and familiarity with specimen processing and waived testing per CLIA.
• Experience with hospital LIS (Sunquest) and hospital computer systems.
• Excellent communication and customer service to liaise with internal and external contacts.

Responsibilities

• Receive, irradiate, and ship blood products as required.
• Verify specimen identification and label according to policy; route to labs within specified timeframes.
• Operate automation equipment and perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Maintain daily temperature logs and document activities in the LIS and registration systems.
• Assist in QA/QI activities and contribute to training and SOP development.

Skills

English communication

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Customer service

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's or Bachelor's in clinical science

Tools

Sunquest LIS

Microsoft Office

SDK patient registration

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Receive, irradiate, and ship out blood and blood product. Help oversee the vast blood product inventory of a 3 hospital system ensuring blood products are fully stocked and ready to use in each hospital. Help coordinate associated paperwork and quality assurance systems. Position: Medical Laboratory Assistant Department: Blood Bank Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Receive, irradiate, and ship out blood and blood product. Receives and prepares laboratory specimens prior to laboratory analysis and testing; verifies identification of specimen, and labels specimens according to laboratory policies and procedures. Routes specimens to appropriate lab sections within specific time frames. Loads specimens on to automation equipment following all special handling instructions. Performs all paperwork as well as technical and non-technical procedures required to process and submit specimens. Processes, prepares, and stores specimens to send out to contracted laboratories. Performs waived testing as needed. Optimizes the routing of specimens and work benches, prioritizing stat and routine specimens. Maintains knowledge of specimen movement through the general lab and serves as a problem-solving resource in locating specimens within the automation lines. Communicates via telephone and other methods with professional courtesy standards and according to laboratory policy; routes phone calls to appropriate section. Provides excellent customer service and communicates effectively to all levels of lab staff and external contacts. This includes delivering timely and accurate reports, following regulations regarding confidentiality, politely answering the phones, and completing all appropriate documentation. Serves as a knowledgeable resource on the automation line; provides demonstrations of the automation line as needed. Performs and documents required troubleshooting, repair, routine and preventative maintenance. Monitors and records daily temperatures. Logs all required information and activities according to laboratory policy. Utilizes Laboratory Information Systems (such as Sunquest) to perform order/entry, inquiry, crediting, and other LIS functions. Performs and enters results into the LIS of waived testing as needed. Uses patient registration systems (such as SDK, GE or other) to perform patient registration, assign medical record numbers, update demographic data and other related functions. Works with the technical and assistant supervisors to update inventories, orders, and maintain supplies as needed Assists supervisors with writing training programs, standard operating procedures and establishing competencies. Assists in training new lab support technicians, lab support specialists and phlebotomy students. Participates in Quality Improvement (QI) or Quality Assurance (QA) activities according to Laboratory QI Policies. Offers input for performance improvement and participates in validating the effectiveness of implemented solutions. Liaises with other automation users; interfaces with vendor's research and development scientists to identify opportunities, suggests and develop solutions/innovations as needed. Assists with quality and usage reports to the lab and to the vendor as needed. Recognizes and resolves technical and non-technical problems in the laboratory. Anticipates problems to circumvent customer dissatisfaction. Obtains help in problem-resolution as appropriate. Records information on the problem log and reports all issues to supervisory staff. Attends required and elective workshops to maintain current knowledge of industry standards and practices. Maintains initial and annual competency documentation as outlined in policy and procedures. Records late and sick calls for staff in the absence of the manager. Adheres to department and hospital standards, including the following: Adapts to changes in the departmental needs including but not limited to: offering assistance to other team members, adjusting assignments, fostering teamwork, etc Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided. Utilizes hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the department and the hospital’s mission and goals. Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures. Maintains a clean and safe working environment. Promotes a positive working environment and demonstrates an appropriate level of professionalism with laboratory staff and external departments and vendors. Other duties as needed. (The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required)

JOB DESCRIPTION CHARACTERISTICS EDUCATION:

High school diploma or GED. Associates degree or Bachelor’s degree in clinical science is preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of 2 years working in a clinical laboratory environment.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Experience in the workflow in a clinical laboratory; has basic knowledge and understanding of laboratory specimen processing and testing. Has experience, or is capable of, performing and reporting waived testing, as defined by CLIA regulations. Has experience, or is capable of, performing preventive maintenance, minor repairs and troubleshooting of lab automation equipment. Demonstrated technical competency using hospital computer systems such as Microsoft Office, patient registration systems (e.g. SDK, etc) and Laboratory Information Systems (e.g. Sunquest). Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) and interpersonal skills are required to communicate effectively with internal and external contacts in a courteous and customer service manner. Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills; strong attention to detail, organizational ability and follow-through. Must be able to maintain strict protocols of all confidential or sensitive information.

Compensation Range:

26.19- $34.56 This range offers an estimate based on the minimum job qualifications. However, our approach to determining base pay is comprehensive, and a broad range of factors is considered when making an offer. This includes education, experience, and licensure/certifications directly related to position requirements. In addition, BMCHS offers generous total compensation that includes, but is not limited to, benefits (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy), contract increases, Flexible Spending Accounts, 403(b) savings matches, earned time cash out, paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and resources to support employee and family wellbeing.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

Working at Boston Medical Center is more than a job. It’s a chance to make a difference as part of our mission to provide exceptional and equitable care to all. As a nationally-recognized leader in health equity, nursing, initiatives to combat climate change, and many other areas, BMC is dedicated to improving the health of our community in Boston and beyond. BMC’s mission to provide exceptional care without exception extends to our employees, and we have been recognized as a top employer and best place to work. A strong sense of teamwork and support for our staff are the bedrock of BMC, as we know that we can only provide exceptional care to patients when our staff are cared for too. Boston Medical Center is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. We ensure equal employment opportunities for all, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or any other non-job-related characteristic. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process because of a medical condition or disability, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call 617-638-8582 to let us know the nature of your request. Boston Medical Center participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. As an E-Verify employer, prospective employees of BMC must complete a background check before beginning their employment at the hospital. BMC requires all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu, as well as receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.