Referral Testing Technician

Advocate Health; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health in Winston-Salem is seeking a Full-Time Lab Support Associate for the Reference Lab Testing department. The role emphasizes preanalytic specimen processing, accurate labeling, and timely send-out testing to ensure quality patient care.

The position requires an Associate's degree and typically 2 years of healthcare or clinical laboratory experience. Weekend/holiday shifts and physical tasks are part of the job, with emphasis on safety and customer service.

Qualifications

• Customer service skills to interact effectively with patients and staff.
• Accurate data entry and documentation in laboratory systems.
• Medical terminology knowledge applicable to clinical laboratory work.
• Experience in specimen processing or production environments.
• Familiarity with handling esoteric test requests and specialty workflows.

Responsibilities

• Performs preanalytical specimen processing for referred clinical testing and prioritizes testing based on stability and priority.
• Accurately processes specimens for send-out testing with proper labeling and billing documentation.
• Performs post-analytical resulting for non-interfaced tests and ensures compliance with client and DOS requirements.
• Uses internal lab tools to monitor test pendings and references to ensure timely testing submission.
• Communicates effectively with internal teams and external clients to resolve issues and exceptions.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Medical terminology

Specimen processing

Esoteric test requests

Education

Associate's degree

Job description

Position Highlights:

• Shift Schedule: Full-Time Days
• Primarily 8:00 am to 4:30 pm with weekends and holidays and other shifts as needed
• Department: Reference Lab Testing
• Location: Winston Campus

Education & Experience:

• Associate's degree required.
• Typically requires 2 years of progressively responsible experience in a health care or clinical laboratory setting

How You’ll Impact Patient Care:

Your responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Performs preanalytical specimen processing for referred clinical testing. Evaluates specimens and requisitions for acceptability of specimen collected and is responsible for determination and prioritization of testing based on stability, order priority, and availability of reference laboratories.
• Accurately processes specimens for send out testing. Aliquots specimens for testing, maintaining proper specimen identification and following safety protocols. Completes internal send out processes, including documenting billing information to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement practices. Completes reference laboratory requisitions online or manually, including patient demographics, insurance, diagnosis, patient history, and previous result attachment, as required.
• Performs postanalytical resulting through manually resulting all non-interfaced testing sent to outside reference laboratories within the established DOS expectations and in accordance with department policies and procedures, while recognizing the differences in resulting requirements based on client type, EMR type, and/or spotlight accounts.
• Utilizes internal lab tools to ensure efficient patient care is being provided. Monitors test pending logs for all reference testing to ensure all tests are submitted to outside reference laboratories in a timely manner. Reviews and reconciles overdue logs for all testing referred outside of ACL Laboratories, including submitting test delay notifications as appropriate.
• Performs exception handling activities associated with specimen collection, receiving, accessioning, and resulting. Uses of critical thinking and problem-solving skills regarding all exception handling issues including, but not limited to specimen integrity, test verification, missing information, incorrect specimen received, mis‑identification issues, and secondary specimen sourcing.
• Exhibits excellent customer service skills and dedication to providing safe and appropriate patient care. Collaborates with all internal team members and external clients in order to resolve all customer service issues, questions, and exceptions.
• Ensures the department is providing excellent customer service through active participation in QI activities. Maintains knowledge base for all referral testing workflow changes/process improvements and acts as a resource for training new team members.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Good customer service skills with ability to interact effectively and communicate proficiently.
• Good data entry skills.
• Medical background, including basic knowledge of medical terminology applicable to a clinical laboratory.
• Previous experience in a Specimen Processing or production environment.
• Previous knowledge/experience with handling esoteric test requests.

Work Environment:

• Able to work weekends and select holidays, on a rotating basis.
• Works in a biohazard environment, handling infectious biological specimens and practicing good safety habits, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when appropriate.
• Must be able to handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner.
• Work requires analytical ability to gather and interpret data.
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods.
• Frequently lists up to 10 lbs.
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds.

DISCLAIMER
All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job or position. Employees must follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their leaders.