Specimen Processing Lab Assistant Day Shift

WVU Medicine; Morgantown (WV); On-site; USD 33,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

WVU Medicine is seeking a dedicated phlebotomy technician to support specimen processing, blood collection, and data entry in a fast-paced hospital laboratory setting.

You will follow SOPs, operate lab equipment, and ensure proper specimen handling from diverse patient populations, including outpatients and walk-ins. The role emphasizes teamwork, accuracy, and adherence to patient care standards.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Previous exposure or experience in a scientific and/or laboratory setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs specimen processing and blood collections following laboratory guidelines to obtain acceptable specimens for diagnostic procedures.
• Follows standard operating procedures to process all specimen types and produce accurate results.
• Operates laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, timers, computer systems, and tube transport systems.
• Restocks supplies in the work area to assist co-workers in performing duties.
• Logs in and stores specimens for future use or for reference laboratories.
• Prepares specimens for transport to reference laboratories and delivers to laboratories promptly.
• Collects blood and urine specimens from patients including outpatients, psychiatric hospital, and walk-ins.
• Ensures specimens are properly identified and labeled per policies.
• Uses time and resources efficiently to support patient care and laboratory operations.
• Maintains patient and quality control records legibly and accurately.
• Communicates with laboratory sections, administrative staff, patients, and other departments to resolve issues.

Job description

Welcome! We’re excited you’re considering an opportunity with us! Below, you’ll find other important information about this position.

Performs a variety of basic laboratory functions including specimen processing, blood collection, customer service, and data entry procedures in support of the hospital's mission of patient care.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.

Experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous exposure or experience in a scientific and/or laboratory setting preferred.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs, in a timely manner, specimen processing and blood collections using established laboratory guidelines designed to obtain acceptable specimens used in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to meet the needs of patients, as requested by the physician.
• Follows standard operating procedures to process all specimen types to produce accurate results.
• Operates laboratory equipment (e.g., centrifuges, timers, computer system, tube transport system), consistent with standard operating procedures.
• Restocks, as required, the work area of needed supplies to assist co‑workers in the performance of their duties.
• Logs in and stores specimens for laboratories not currently associated with the laboratory computer and specimens, which will be used at a later date.
• Processes and prepares specimens (using appropriate preservatives such as acids, bases, etc., as needed) and requisitions which are to be sent to a reference laboratory.
• Promptly prepares (e.g., centrifuges and aliquots, etc.) specimens and delivers into laboratories.
• Follow standard operating procedures to collect blood and urine specimens from all patients, (e.g. outpatient clinics, psychiatric hospital, and walk-ins, etc.), regardless of diagnosis or age.
• Examines and accepts only patient specimens for testing that are properly identified, collected, and labeled in accordance with established laboratory policies.
• Must demonstrate, after receiving instruction and training, knowledge of the patient care requirements for all age groups as required by the laboratory standard operating procedures.
• Utilizes time, materials, and resources in an economical manner, prioritizing and arranging workloads to provide for optimal patient care and efficiency.
• Minimizes waste of time, materials, and resources.
• Promptly collects and processes patient specimens, to reduce wastage, unnecessary requests for additional specimens, and undue delays in result reporting, in accordance with the standard operating procedure.
• Completes assigned specimen processing and collection within established time frames by adjusting organization of workload (e.g., daily monitoring, turnaround time studies).
• Performs required quality assurance and quality control procedures on a predetermined schedule and ascertain the integrity of patient specimens to assure timely accurate reproductive test result insuring quality patient care.
• Performs routine maintenance and quality control checks as directed by laboratory standard operating procedures within the predetermined time schedule, recognizing errors and responding in an appropriate manner.
• Analyzes written, verbal, and electronic orders for completeness and accuracy and takes heed of potential problems as they arise.
• Completes patient and quality control records legibly and accurately as detailed in the standard operating policies, (e.g., review of records, logs).
• Consistently and promptly processes, 100% of the time, problem specimens per established laboratory policies.
• Requests input and direction as needed from supervisory personnel regarding, medical, technical, and quality assurance problems.
• Initiates effective communication with the laboratory sections, administrative office, personnel, patients, and other departments as necessary to assure identification of problems and provide problem resolution to support the hospital's mission of patient care.
• Communicates all appropriate information to patients and/or public necessary for their understanding of the procedure before and after designated procedure.
• Answers the telephone in a prompt and courteous manner, identifying self and unit.
• Responds appropriately to inside and outside customers, applying customer service skills (e.g., minimal holds, diffusing angry customers, transfers, etc.).
• Keeps current in all communication (e.g., circulated material, staff minutes, mailboxes, e-mails and procedures) incorporating new information into routine use and providing "one stop shopping" principles to customers.
• Effectively communicates in a timely manner any unusual supply usage or critical supply levels to the supervisor to expedite ordering of required supplies for the continued needs of patients.
• Recognizes and refers to supervision, and nursing or medical staff as appropriate, any technical problems or unusual patient occurrences.
• Contacts patient care units promptly for resubmission of improperly collected or labeled patient specimens where necessary, in order to expedite accurate test results in a timely manner.
• Contacts patient care units or medical staff promptly for clarification of unclear or incomplete test requisitions/orders; requesting new requisitions/orders in accordance with established laboratory policies.
• Performs data handling and clerical duties to help assure efficient running of the laboratory in support of the hospital's missions.
• Promptly and accurately completes computer entry of all requested laboratory tests, accepting only patient specimens that are properly labeled and requisitions that are properly completed, in accordance with established laboratory policies.
• Assists hospital personnel in obtaining laboratory results and/or appropriately referring such personnel to the appropriate area or laboratory.
• Monitors laboratory computer system for malfunctions involving, order entry, patient admissions, discharges, transfers, result reporting, etc., assuring prompt notification to LIS/IT personnel.
• Assists laboratory computer personnel or other hospital personnel with handling of any malfunctions involving the laboratory computer system, in a timely manner.
• Sorts and prepares patient reports for distribution, as needed, in a timely and accurate manner.
• Analyzes and evaluates orders for completeness, or potential problems in order to provide optimal laboratory services.
• Participates in educational endeavors of the institution to meet the current and future needs of the specimen processing, laboratory, hospital, and phlebotomy service, and the university in support of the hospital's mission of patient care, teaching, and research.
• Participates, as required, in the instruction, guidance, and evaluation of residents and students of the School of Medicine Medical Technology Program and other health care professionals, as established by laboratory polices, (e.g., laboratory objectives, evaluation forms).
• Displays initiative and responsibility for self-development by attending in services and impromptu consultations, as dictated by individual needs and the needs of the laboratory.
• Participates, as required, in the training, guidance and evaluation of new employees, as established by laboratory policies (e.g., section training checklist).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to walk quickly and be on feet for entire eight-hour shift.
• Work requires lifting, moving, loading or carrying materials weighing twenty to forty pounds, positioning patients; climbing ladders, and the same.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills And Abilities

Additional Job Description:

This staff member will work every third weekend and rotating holidays. Day shift scheduled time is 6am-2:30pm.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Shift

Day (United States of America)

Exempt/Non-Exempt

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Company

WVUH West Virginia University Hospitals

Cost Center

103 WVUH Clinical Labs Phlebotomy Reference Lab

Address

1 Medical Center Drive

Morgantown

West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.