Pathology Technician – Chemistry – Evenings

Virginia Commonwealth University Health; United States; On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University Health is seeking a laboratory support professional to resolve order/specimen issues, answer test result inquiries, and prepare specimens for analysis. The role includes accessioning, pre-analytical processing, and routine lab maintenance.

On-site courier duties between locations may be required. The position emphasizes patient safety, data entry accuracy, and adherence to laboratory policies.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• One year of post high school education in Health Science preferred.
• Experience in a clinical or reference laboratory setting.
• Experience entering data on a personal computer.

Responsibilities

• Resolve problems with orders and specimens and respond to telephone inquiries for test results and collection criteria.
• Prepare coolers for blood delivery, receive blood product inventory, and perform daily equipment maintenance.
• Accession orders, verify specimen acceptability, and perform pre-analytical procedures.
• Handle specimens, prepare smears, ship specimens safely per policy.
• Provide courier services between sites as required.

Skills

Laboratory terminology

Data entry

Customer service

Pre-analytical procedures

Quality control

Biohazard handling

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Health Science coursework (1 year post high school)

Tools

Laboratory Computer System

Job description

Provides support services for the clinical or anatomical laboratories by resolving problems with orders and/or specimens and by responding to telephone inquiries for test results and specimen collection criteria. Where applicable: prepares coolers for blood delivery, receives blood product inventory, scans digital slides, files slides and tissue blocks, and performs daily, weekly and monthly maintenance of equipment. Receives and delivers specimens and reports. Where applicable, compiles appropriate case data including correct specimen designation regarding specimen site so that appropriate/correct testing is performed by pathologist/technologist. Where applicable, performs CLIA Waived Lab Testing. Registers and accessions all patient material as required for the Department. Laboratory support functions may also include, but are not limited to, developing and maintaining ordering and inventory processes/systems; assisting with employee time keeping; pay reference lab invoices; providing data entry assistance and general glassware maintenance. Maintains workload recording to include quality control as required for area/department. Receives specimens in the laboratory and performs pre-analytical specimen manipulation/preparation for analysis which includes but is not limited to accessioning orders via Laboratory Computer System, verifying technical specimen acceptability, and performing pre-analytical procedures. Pre-analytical procedures may include aliquoting specimens for technical analysis, plating specimens for microbiologic growth, specimen manipulation/preparation for testing, preparing smears, preparing specimens for shipping utilizing knowledge of specimen handling and shipping of dangerous goods in accordance with laboratory policy in an accurate, safe, and timely manner. Dependent on-site location/where applicable: provides internal and/or external courier services transporting a variety of items, ensuring that deliveries are made within the specific timeframes established by the assigned department.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire: Dependent on-site location: valid driver's license and acceptable driver's record if required to drive between sites required Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment: Dependent on-site location: valid driver's license and acceptable driver's record if required to drive between sites required

Experience REQUIRED: Previous experience in a clinical laboratory; reference laboratory or college level laboratory course work Previous experience using a personal computer and entering data Experience PREFERRED: Minimum of 2 years of laboratory experience using basic laboratory principles and procedures and handling specimens

Education/training REQUIRED: (Note: work experience may be considered in lieu of credentials not required by law with HR approval. Work experience must be specific to role.) High School Diploma or equivalent Education/training PREFERRED: One year of post high school education in a Health Science field

Independent action(s) required: Complete required continuing education. Customer service-oriented communications. Maintain a clean and safe work environment. Supervisory responsibilities (if applicable): N/A Additional position requirements: Rotating weekends as required Holiday scheduling as required Work overtime as needed Age Specific groups served: All

Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate): Physical: Lifting less than 20 lbs. Activities: Prolonged standing, Prolonged sitting, Reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive) Repetitive motion: typing, pipetting, plating Other: exposure to biohazards and potentially infectious body fluids Other: exposure to hazardous chemicals and reagents Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking Emotional: Working in a fast-paced environment, Steady pace, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment, Able to adapt to frequent change

Compensation Range $16.08 - $24.12 Actual salary offers will be based on several key factors to include relevant work experience, credentials, and qualifications. Evenings EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran

Who We Are Inventing better care, day by day by discovery Sound outrageous? It absolutely is. Sound impossible? That's never stopped us before. Sound like hard work, intense research, collaboration with experts around the world, sheer brainpower meets unrelenting willpower? That's. Exactly. Right. We'll do whatever it takes to offer the best in care and empower the best in quality of life. And it's an approach that works - whether it's a patient who undergoes a new, life‑saving procedure or a clinical researcher who finds promise in a new cancer treatment, exciting new medicine is happening at VCU Health.

• One college and four health sciences schools
• An academic medical center
• A Level I trauma center
• One of only two NCI-designated cancer centers in Virginia
• The region's only full‑service children's hospital
• More than 800 physicians in 200 specialties
• With a community health center, dedicated research teams, facilities and valued partners in every field

Our medical teams are top notch. And we're not too shy to boast of internationally known physicians, some recognized as the best in the country, top-ranked local specialists and all‑around all-stars at every level. From our very first years to our most recent advancements, we are driven to learn more, dig deeper, teach passionately and never rest in order to be a true leader in discovering what's possible in health and recovery. We are a comprehensive system of care and a pioneer of health. Read VCU Health Year In Review for more about our accomplishments.