Pathology Lab Assistant I

Partner's Healthcare; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

403b retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Discounted MBTA pass

Job summary

Mass General Brigham is seeking a Laboratory Assistant I for the Microbiology lab at 90 Blossom Street. The role involves clerical and technical duties under supervision, handling patient specimens, LIS data entry, and lab safety practices.

Responsibilities include preparing samples, communicating results, and assisting the clinical team to ensure accurate processing and timely care. This onsite position offers day shifts with competitive pay and benefits.

Qualifications

• Effective communication with all lab and hospital staff.
• Manual dexterity and steady hand movements required.
• Ability to follow written protocols and safety guidelines.
• Attention to detail in data entry and labeling.
• Ability to multitask and manage time under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Enter patient data and test information into LIS and verify accuracy.
• Prepare and label specimens for analysis and maintain quality control.
• Answer laboratory calls and respond to inquiries about test results.
• Maintain safety, infection control, and proper handling of hazardous materials.
• Support clerical duties and assist team to ensure timely patient care.

Skills

Communication

Manual dexterity

Attention to detail

Safety procedures

English reading/writing

Multitasking

Data entry

Telephone skills

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Job description

The General Hospital CorporationMass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

The Pathology Laboratory Assistant I performs a variety of clerical and technical duties, under technical supervision of senior technologists, which do not require an intensive knowledge of laboratory procedures or practices. Duties require the use of a laboratory information system, use of the lab's telephone system, handling and processing of patient specimens, use of hazardous chemicals, and other general microbiology laboratory tasks. Reports to: Clinical Manager and Clinical Supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Follows all safety (including infection control and hazardous material) policies and procedures. Notifies supervisor or Technical Director of unsafe conditions. Successfully participates in safety education and competency activities.
• Receives, verifies and enters patient data test, and compliance information from laboratory requisitions into Laboratory Information System (LIS) following prescribed coding procedures. Resolves any patient identification problems with appropriate patient care area. Assesses specimen quality and reports specimen problems (i.e. wrong type specimen container, leaking specimen containers, hemolyzed specimens, etc.) to appropriate patient care area.
• Prepares blood, urine, stool and other specimens for analysis by labeling requisition forms and specimen containers with appropriate patient data using labels generated by LIS.
• Processes specimens for analysis by culture, direct microscopic examination, serological tests or other test methodologies. Cultures specimens on prescribed media such as agar plates and broth tubes. Incubates the media in environments that are appropriate both to type of specimen and to the organisms routinely sought in those specimens. Processes blood specimens for serological tests or other non‑culture test methods.
• Answer laboratory telephones. Answer inquiries for patient test results, turnaround time for test results, and other laboratory information. Screen calls, take messages, route calls, and page requested parties as appropriate.
• Respond to physicians' or other healthcare professional's requests for patient test results by using LIS to make result inquiries. Respond to physicians' STAT test requests. May perform and document callback of critical results. May fax or print reports as requested.
• Checks requisitions for accuracy and completeness of lab orders. Sorts, alphabetizes, and files/scans lab requisitions.
• Performs other clinical laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities as required at the direction of a laboratory supervisor.
• Maintains safe working environment. Notifies supervisor of unsafe conditions.
• Successfully participates in safety education and competency assessment activities.
• Receives all shipments of media, reagents, quality controls, etc. Check packing slips for quantity, lot numbers, and expiration dates. Stocks received products in appropriate locations.
• Chooses samples for quality control check by Technologist and organizes samples and records new lots on quality control sheets.
• Rotates products by expiration date.
• Monitors and stocks supply in the various lab sections.
• Collects infectious wastes from all laboratory sections; decontaminates waste by steam sterilization. Reprocesses instruments (scalpels, forceps, etc.) for reuse in lab.
• Performs general preventative maintenance and quality control checks on autoclaves, refrigerators, incubators, etc.
• Monitors a variety of compressed gas tanks; replaces empty with full tanks.
• Performs other related duties, as required.
• Plans, organizes, and prioritizes work duties to accomplish daily tasks and objectives. Supports and assists coworkers as needed to ensure the best possible patient care; able to work independently while functioning as a team member.
• Documents errors using hospital Safety Reporting System; informs supervisor/manager when safety reports are entered.
• Adheres to hospital and laboratory policies and procedures including but not limited to laboratory procedures, hospital procedures, accrediting agencies' guidelines, infection control and safety plans.
• Performs clerical and support services as needed, such as answering the telephone, calling the appropriate department or Licensed Care Provider when necessary, monitoring pending logs, and other assigned duties. Ensures that there is proper documentation of calls.
• Monitors reagent and supplies, orders as needed, or communicates need to the appropriate person to maintain adequate inventory of necessary supplies.
• Performs any other duties as required, which may include but not limited to general laboratory duties such as processing specimens, logging in specimens, putting supplies away, washing pipettes, etc. Stores, discards, and retrieves samples as required.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent required
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Communicate effectively with all laboratory and hospital staff.
  • Possess manual dexterity and visual acuity.
  • Capable of physical exertion, including walking, standing, sitting, and bending or lifting up to 50 pounds.
  • Must have the ability to pay careful attention to detail and to adhere to written protocols.
  • Knowledge of standard safety and infection control procedures including standard precautions.
  • Read, write, and comprehend English sufficiently to communicate with patients, laboratory or hospital staff and to follow procedures
  • Interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with individuals in the lab and hospital.
  • Ability to multitask and work accurately under stress of time constraints and heavy workload demands.
  • Neat and orderly work habits.
  • Careful attention to detail on laboratory requisitions and lab documentation.
  • Ability to follow procedure.
  • Ability to troubleshoot problems.
  • Proficient computer skills and ability to perform data entry with accuracy.
  • Good telephone/customer service skills.

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

• Department: MGH Microbiology
• Schedule: Monday - Friday | 7am to 5pm| Flexible Hours | Onsite
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 403b retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, discounted MBTA pass & mor
• Remote Type: Onsite
• Work Location: 90 Blossom Street
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
• Employee Type: Regular
• Work Shift: Day (United States of America)
• Pay Range: $18.58 - $26.58/HourlyGrade 3

EEO Statement

The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. To ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Veteran's Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact Human Resources at (857)-282-7642.

Competency Framework

At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership "looks like" by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.