Specimen Processing Tech

The University of Kansas Health System; United States; On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City is seeking a Weekend Days Specimen Processing Technician to manage specimens from arrival through preparation for the automation line. You will verify patient identification, select appropriate containers, and ensure specimen integrity for accurate testing.

This part-time role requires a High School diploma and experience in a clinical laboratory, plus completion of a phlebotomy program.

Qualifications

• High School graduate with 6 months of clinical-lab experience.
• Completion of a Phlebotomy program with 1+ years of specimen collection/processing.
• Preferred: phlebotomy certification.

Responsibilities

• Create Registration encounters and release orders from HIS when indicated.
• Receive samples in LIS and print/affix barcode labels.
• Ensure proper container types, centrifugation and transport conditions for specimens.
• Ensure positive patient identification and correct specimen collection and handling/transport; prioritize based on urgency.
• Ensure the specimen and orders received are appropriate for requested testing.
• Prioritize specimens based on clinical urgency.
• Perform specimen processing duties including aliquoting urine and body fluids; inventory monitoring.

Education

High School Graduate

Phlebotomy program certification

Job description

Position Summary / Career Interest: Weekend Days

The Specimen Processing Technician is a position within the clinical laboratory and microbiology that is responsible for managing specimens once they arrive in the department and handling multiple pre-analytical variables. Depending on the area of the lab, this may include, but are not limited to: positive patient identification, correct tube types, specimen conditions and integrity and how they affect laboratory results. The Specimen Processing Technician accepts samples in the laboratory and performs tasks including releasing orders out of the Hospital Information System (HIS), receiving specimens in the Laboratory Information System (LIS), and processing specimens to include aliquoting and preparation for the automation line. The specimen Processing Technician troubleshoots specimen and order issues and communicates with care providers across the Health System. The Specimen Processing Technician working in Microbiology is responsible for performing pre-analytic functions such as: specimen receipt, sterile processing, specimen manipulation including sonication and tissue grinding, determination of appropriate culture media for different specimen types and plating. The Specimen Processing Technician follows regulatory, accreditation, safety and hospital standards, policies and procedures, and participates in quality assurance and quality improvement activities.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• Creates Registration encounters, releases orders out of HIS when indicated; receives samples in LIS; prints barcode labels and affixes labels to specimens.
• Completes order entry functions or paperwork as required.
• Ensures proper container type, centrifugation, specimen sterility, and transport conditions for specimens.
• Ensures positive patient identification, correct specimen collection and handling/transport; performs specimen processing duties and prioritizes based on urgency.
• Ensures the specimen and orders received are appropriate for requested testing.
• Prioritizes specimens based on clinical urgency.
• Performs specimen processing duties including but not limited to: aliquoting urine and body fluid samples, supply storage, Kanban supply, inventory monitoring and storing patient samples appropriately.
• In Microbiology, uses sterile techniques to handle, manipulate, and inoculate specimens onto culture media, including but not limited to determination of selecting the correct culture media based on specimen, order and protocols, sterile aliquoting, sonification and tissue grinding.
• Assists in pathology specimen preservation, by adding formalin to specimens, and/or paging residents or providers as needed.
• Fields inquiries and communicates information in written and verbal formats.
• Answers the phone and provides customer service to internal and external customers following established standards.
• Consults Specimen Processing Coordinator, supervisor or lab leadership when appropriate.
• Assists other staff with processing questions or automation line issues.
• Assists with training new hires, students, or medical students, if applicable.
• Disposes of bio-hazardous materials, chemical waste, sharps and other potentially hazardous materials according to policy and strictly adheres to safety and infection control procedures.
• Uses and wears PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as necessary to perform job duties safely and minimize risk.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• High School Graduate 6 months of experience in a clinical laboratory - working with biological specimens.
• Completion of a Phlebotomy program 1 or more years of experience in specimen collection and processing.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Completion of a Phlebotomy program 1 or more years of experience in specimen collection and processing.

Required Licensure and Certification

If required by position to be filled, must obtain Department of Transportation and International Air Transportation Association certification within 180 Days.

Time Type: Part time

Job Requisition ID: R-56144

The health system is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally-protected status. See also Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The health system provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need to request reasonable accommodations for your disability as you navigate the recruitment process, please let our recruiters know by requesting an Accommodation Request form using this link [e-mail]. Employment with the health system is contingent upon, among other things, agreeing to the health-system-dispute-resolution-program.pdf and signing the agreement to the DRP.

About The University of Kansas Health System

As part of the region’s premier academic medical center, The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City is a world-class healthcare provider and destination for complex care and diagnosis. We are driven by our commitment to service, continuous improvement and to the highest degree of excellence. Collaboration between physicians, nurses, researchers, educators and other professionals who share their expertise leads to exciting discoveries and life-changing treatments for the people we serve.